Affordability Checks Explained

Affordability checks are one of the biggest differences between UKGC-licensed and offshore casinos. Here is what they are and what their absence offshore really means.

What are affordability checks?

Under the UKGC framework developed between 2023 and 2025, UK-licensed operators must carry out checks when a player's losses reach certain thresholds — light-touch checks at lower levels, and more detailed financial-risk assessments at higher levels — to identify gambling that may be unaffordable or harmful. They may ask for evidence of income or source of funds.

Why offshore sites skip them

Non-GamStop offshore casinos are not bound by UKGC rules, so they generally do not run affordability or source-of-funds checks at low and medium stakes. Many players see this as convenient and private.

The flip side. Affordability checks exist to catch harmful gambling before it spirals. Without them, the only thing standing between you and unaffordable losses is your own discipline. Set deposit limits voluntarily, track your spending, and use blocking tools if you need them.

Protecting yourself offshore

Set a strict budget, use any voluntary deposit-limit and time-out tools the casino offers, enable gambling blocks in your banking app, and install Gamban if you want a hard stop. If you are worried about your gambling, contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133.