Over 47% of blocked betting accounts in the UK, according to a recent report, consistently generate profits for their operators.
In a recent analysis, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reported that approximately 4.3% of active customer accounts across betting operators were restricted in some form, with 2.23% closed for commercial reasons and the remaining subject to stake factor restrictions that effectively prevent betting [1].
The data, collected from 15 million accounts in 2024, indicates that 643,000 accounts were limited, with 47% being profitable. Of these restricted accounts, 36% could only wager at 9% of a normal stake, and a significant number, 22%, had limits under 1% of a normal bet size [1]. In contrast, only 25% of unrestricted accounts were profitable [1].
The UKGC acknowledges that betting operators commonly apply commercial restrictions on accounts, particularly those with high profit or risk profiles. However, the Commission emphasises the importance of sportsbooks being upfront and transparent with users about the circumstances in which they face restrictions [1].
The Commission's stance is that while these restrictions are legitimate commercial practices, operators must balance them with regulatory objectives such as crime prevention, fairness, and protection of consumers, including vulnerable people [2]. There is concern, however, that operators may be using sensitive financial data, such as bank statements, to impose restrictions primarily aimed at preventing customers from winning rather than for compliance or safety reasons [2].
Such commercial restrictions affect about 4.3% of customers and range from complete account closure to market-specific betting bans [1]. These restrictions can limit where and how much customers can bet, or may result in betting facilities being withdrawn entirely without account closure. The impact of these restrictions is that "restricted" accounts often face limitations, while "unrestricted" accounts retain full access [1].
The UKGC also notes that restricted users may try to open multiple accounts to bypass controls. This behaviour undermines important compliance requirements for operators, and people who are restricted often turn to illegal gambling sites [1].
It is important to note that there is no protection for profitable bettors under discrimination law [1]. Furthermore, lifetime profitable accounts make up 47% of the restricted total [1].
The UKGC reiterates the need for operators to comply with the Commission’s regulatory framework when implementing account restrictions. This includes being transparent and fair in their application of such measures, to ensure the integrity of gambling, consumer protection, and crime prevention [1][2].
References:
[1] UK Gambling Commission. (2025). July 2025 data: 4.31% of active customer accounts across operators were restricted in some form. Retrieved from www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/july-2025-data-4-31-of-active-customer-accounts-across-operators-were-restricted-in-some-form
[2] UK Gambling Commission. (2025). Concerns over misuse of checks to impose restrictions on customers. Retrieved from www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/concerns-over-misuse-of-checks-to-impose-restrictions-on-customers
- In the UKGC's analysis, it was found that a significant number of restricted accounts were associated with sports betting, where 22% of restricted accounts had limits under 1% of a normal bet size [1].
- Despite the concerns about the use of sensitive financial data for imposing restrictions, sports- analysis revealed that a significant portion of the 47% profitable restricted accounts were from sports-betting activities [1].
