Gambling Laws and Regulations Report 2026 United Kingdom<\/p>\n
In general, it is illegal for the holder of a licence to sell alcohol to facilitate betting on the premises. The total online gambling population in the UK is estimated at 2.1 million customers. Instead it supported plans for 16 smaller casinos, including ones in Solihull and Wolverhampton. Casinos had a similar history, with requirement for licensing from the Gaming Board of Great Britain and for casinos to be members only clubs.<\/p>\n
Some contended the models can now even identify and prevent harm before it occurs, but this is hard to verify. One major operator\u2019s evidence reported a threefold increase in the number of customer interactions compared to two years ago and increased positive impact from their interventions (according to their own evaluation). These individuals may not have been spending more than they could afford, but many respondents felt operators should have been doing more to check.<\/p>\n
As well as potentially encouraging further spend, operators use these restrictions to prevent customers using bonus offers for \u2018matched betting\u2019 strategies without spending their own money, and to limit the costs of offering bonuses, as customers can\u2019t simply take the money after a single low risk bet. While the Gambling Commission\u2019s new customer interaction requirements will protect those showing the most serious risk of harm from bonus offers and marketing exacerbating their gambling, we must also ensure that bonuses operate in a safe way wherever they are offered, both offline and online. We recognise that offering bonuses (as defined by the CMA) to customers in land-based settings, as well as land-based VIP schemes, are inherent to their business models, in particular that of the high-end casino sector, and we believe the Gambling Commission\u2019s current controls adequately mitigate the risks. However, the sustained targeting of certain groups or individuals with online bonuses based on factors like high levels of spend, even if they are not currently showing strong indicators of harm, may nonetheless increase the risks of future harm. While rewards for customer loyalty and efforts to win back former customers are common across the economy, we recognise that the intensive and data-driven targeting of certain groups or individuals can come with a risk of harmful consequences.<\/p>\n
We have not quantified the impact of the resulting machine ratios on overall GGY due to limited evidence about how gamblers will change their behaviour in response. Following the relaxation of the ratio, we expect the number of Category C and D machines to fall as venues remove predominantly unused machines. Firstly, the relaxation of the 80\/20 ratio which restricts the balance of Category B and Category C and D machines in bingo and arcade venues is expected to increase GGY and reduce energy costs. We note that there may also be a small reduction in sports betting online due to this measure causing spend to be displaced. Given that the Category D machines are the highest stake and prize machines on which under 18s can legally play, they are likely to appeal disproportionately to that age group. Sites operated by Bacta members already have a voluntary ban on under 18s using these machines, so have been excluded from the GGY drop calculation.<\/p>\n
We use the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework to identify sector specific risks and threats to operators. Our risk assessment is developed in partnership with sector specialists, including law enforcement, such as the National Crime Agency (NCA). As outlined in the consultation, the fees payable for gaming machine notifications and gaming machine permits are not in scope of this review. We will keep the 15% increase in fees under review to ensure that its impact is proportionate both to the funding requirements of licensing authorities and the financial pressures placed on operators.<\/p>\n
The Gambling Act 2005 creates specific offences around inviting children and young persons to gamble, including sending gambling advertising to them or bringing gambling information to their attention to encourage gambling. The UKGC emphasises that providing gambling facilities to Great Britain consumers without a licence, or a valid exemption, is illegal. Suitability is a core part of the licensing decision and continues through compliance work after a licence is granted. Applicants face significant disclosure requirements covering ownership, management, finances, and operating model, including technical, AML, and safer-gambling controls. Remote gambling in the UK is divided into specific licence categories rather than covered by a single all-purpose remote licence.<\/p>\n
Find out how you can stay safe when gambling. The Codes also require that advertisements for gambling products or services do not mislead. Such permission may come from a licence, permit, or registration granted in accordance with the Act or from an exemption given by the Act. The primary legislation governing gambling in Great Britain is the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in new tab). It won\u2019t be able to eliminate all forms of problem gambling, the only way to do that is to completely ban gambling, and nobody wants that. This might be one of the biggest gambling shake-ups in a while.<\/p>\n
PHE\u2019s evidence review highlights higher levels of problem gambling amongst young adults when compared to older ages. Children and young people aside, concerns have been raised about people who are old enough to take part legally in the full range of commercial gambling activities but may still be particularly susceptible to harm for a variety of reasons. According to the 2022 data, the problem gambling rate of 11 to 16-year-olds (using the DSM-IV-MR-J screen which is specially adapted for children) was 0.9%, equal to about 35,000 children aged 11 to 16 in mainstream secondary schools. Once this new methodology is formally in place, it will provide more insight into harms experienced by young adults who are gambling legally, but who may additionally be vulnerable to gambling harm due to their age (see section 3.5. In particular, the 2022 Young People and Gambling Survey of 11 to 16-year-olds set out a range of questions on harms experienced as a result of gambling (both the participants\u2019 own gambling and someone else\u2019s gambling).<\/p>\n
Many of the legacy Category C and D machines that still remain in venues do not have these capabilities. To further improve player safety on machine games, the arcades and bingo industries have committed to ensuring B3 machines in all venues allow players to set their own time and spend limits, or default to a \u00a3150\/20 minute limit. A wider rollout could include potential restrictions, for example on the number of machines or where they can be located. We do not wish to risk increasing harm by introducing untested, new concepts other than on a time-limited basis and with appropriate safeguards in place.<\/p>\n
This should ensure that consumers, particularly those who are vulnerable, are better protected from illegal operators which are unlikely to offer the same safeguards that exist on legal sites. As outlined in the consultation which preceded the uplift, some of the increase in income has been devoted to more staff that are able to both identify the scale of the black market and take action to tackle illegal operators. The Commission will need to specify to the court the operator that it would like to disrupt, evidence that it is acting illegally and explain the requirements that it would like to be imposed on the ancillary service (for example, for a payment provider to remove their payment services). These are helpful and positive steps which should make it more difficult for people to access these types of harmful websites. Google has now removed paid-for Google Ads promoting \u2018Not on GAMSTOP\u2019 affiliate sites which pose a risk to vulnerable consumers. Similarly, operators licensed in Britain could face action by the Commission if they were found to have operated illegally in the jurisdiction of one of the Commission\u2019s international partners.<\/p>\n