New data from the UK Gambling Commission reveals that 643,779 online betting accounts—4.31% of the total active accounts—were subject to restrictions by gambling operators in 2024. These measures ranged from stake limits to account closures, according to figures provided in response to a data request earlier this year.
Out of the nearly 15 million active accounts analyzed, some had one restriction while others faced several simultaneously. The most common action taken by operators was the implementation of maximum stake limits. This applied to 2.68% of all accounts and 62.17% of those with any restrictions.
Stake restrictions were followed by account closures, affecting 2.23% of all users and 51.69% of restricted accounts. However, Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes noted that not all operators disclosed closure data, citing “commercial reasons.”
In cases where players were blocked without formal closure, operators often imposed a maximum stake of £0.00. This tactic applied to 0.83% of all accounts and 19.15% of restricted ones. Other measures, such as limiting access to specific products or betting markets, were used on 0.25% of all accounts or 5.72% of those affected.
Restrictions Often Linked to Player Profitability
The Commission also looked at whether there was a correlation between profitability and account restrictions. Among restricted accounts, 46.78% were in profit, compared to just 25.42% of all active accounts. Meanwhile, 72.54% of active users recorded losses, versus 51.29% of restricted ones.
These figures suggest that players who were profitable were nearly twice as likely to face limitations than the average bettor.
Rhodes addressed concerns about potential bias against successful players by clarifying the legal framework: “Businesses may take commercial decisions providing they do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. Being a successful bettor is not a protected characteristic in discrimination law.”
Transparency, Commercial Strategy, and Black Market Risks
The Commission acknowledged that operators often do not disclose their internal criteria for restricting accounts. Rhodes stated: “While we recognise such transparency does not alleviate the frustration of those subject to severe restrictions, if this is a feature of an operator’s business model then it is something that they should inform consumers about.”
He further emphasized the Commission’s regulatory role, noting: “It is not in our remit to mandate how operators handle their commercial liabilities, but we do have a statutory responsibility to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open manner, to understand potential drivers of illegal gambling, and to ensure that industry practices are not having an adverse impact on the effectiveness of regulation.”
One concern raised in the report was that such restrictions could drive consumers toward unregulated gambling sites or push them to create multiple accounts—both of which complicate efforts to enforce consumer protections and fight illegal activity.
The Gambling Commission also confirmed that it would soon revise its penalty guidelines to strengthen enforcement against operators who fail to meet compliance standards.
The post Gambling Commission: 4.3% of UK Betting Accounts Restricted in 2024 first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.