Are affordability checks coming to Canadian gaming?

For years, affordability checks have been like a boogie man for most markets. It lurks as a threat but it has yet to manifest into something operators and regulators have ever had to actually confront.

That is starting to change, though. The UK Gambling Commission began a pilot program on affordability checks in August of last year. The government assures the program will implement a “light touch” in regards to assessing whether players or gambling responsibly or not, but for many the concept at all is a non-starter.

For now, the pilot is looking at users with £500 in deposits a month, but the plan is to drop the number to £150 next month.

In North America, the idea of affordability checks still feels unlikely, but these developments at least raise the question of whether or not Canada will consider them in the future.

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