Gambling Laws and Regulations Report 2026 United Kingdom
The UK Gambling Commission plays a crucial role in regulating and overseeing all gambling activities to ensure fairness, safety, and compliance across the industry. New rules target addictive features in online casino games to promote safer play. These limits apply per game cycle and are designed to reduce gambling-related harm. Wiggin serves as the leading advisor to the global gambling industry’s top players, setting itself apart by understanding both national and international laws and regulations like no other firm. The firm’s Brussels office provides legal support and lobbies EU decision-makers on behalf of clients on a wide range of matters, including EU copyright, audio-visual regulation, data protection, competition policy, trade and e-commerce.
We will also look at the legislative options and conditions under which licensed bingo premises might be permitted to offer side bets. Therefore, we will work with the Gambling Commission to develop specific consultation options for cashless payments, including the player protections that would be required before we remove the prohibition. However, in the light of the availability of remote gambling, the characteristics of a product and quality of monitoring have now assumed greater importance. This is due to a combination of common life stage factors including continuing brain development impacting impulsivity control, changing support networks, and common financial circumstances such as managing money for the first time. Self-reported gambling participation by 11 to 16-year-olds has fallen substantially over the last decade and most forms of gambling are already illegal for under 18s, but we will continue to strengthen protections.
UK iGaming Legislation: More Protection for Players
However, it would be disruptive and potentially impose additional costs onto those casinos with a gambling area of 1,500sqm or more that are already established. For 1968 Act casinos that have a smaller gambling area, the requirements set out in the sliding scale will apply. Relaxing the machine to table ratio for Small 2005 Act casinos and applying it to 1968 Act casinos that take up their new machine entitlements is also a tested concept as it is already in place in Large 2005 Act casinos.
We will work with the industry to create an ombudsman to adjudicate complaints and order redress when things go wrong. This white paper outlines a comprehensive package of new measures to achieve these objectives across all facets of gambling regulation, building on our work over recent years. What we will not permit is for operators to place commercial objectives ahead of customer wellbeing so that vulnerable people are exploited. Prevention of harm will always be better than a cure, so we are determined to strengthen consumer protections and prevent exploitative practices. We must also pay particular attention to making sure children are protected, including as they become young adults and for the first time are able to gamble on a wide range of products.
These fees are used on a cost recovery basis to enable licensing authorities to undertake their gambling enforcement and administrative duties. To ensure this, we outlined in the white paper our intention to increase the cap on the maximum chargeable premises fees which can be charged by licensing authorities. The government will make inviting, causing, or permitting under-18s to play ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines a criminal offence through a draft affirmative statutory instrument. Bacta currently operates a voluntary age restriction on these machines for all of its members. We believe it is appropriate to make inviting, causing, or permitting under-18s to play ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines a criminal offence. Eighty-two per cent of respondents agreed that it should be a criminal offence for a person to invite, cause or permit children or young persons to play on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines.
This tax was abolished with the general reform of the gambling acts. Many bookmakers such as 888sport, Betfair, Ladbrokes and William Hill have offshore operations but these are largely for overseas customers since no tax is due on winnings of bets in the UK. The major part of these gamblers was represented by those playing the National Lottery online. According to the survey conducted by the Gambling Commission, as of March 2010, 10.7% of the 8,000 adults surveyed said they had participated in at least one form of remote gambling in the previous 4 weeks. Until the Betting and Gaming Act 1960 off-course betting in person was illegal, but bets by telephone were legal since this was not considered, by the letter of the law, “resorting to a house kept for the purpose of betting”.
Broadcasters also provided evidence highlighting that their sector is vulnerable financially following the pandemic, and a loss of revenue from gambling adverts could impair public service broadcasters’ ability to meet their obligations. Alongside operators themselves, online platforms also have an important role to play in ensuring that advertising is safe and socially responsible. The industry will commence a review of the sixth edition of the IGRG Code, including considering the extent to which 25+ age filtering could be used with regards to other digital advertising where that functionality is made available. Research from Australia also indicates that for young people exposure to more types of advertising is correlated with gambling participation and harmful gambling. Data from the Gambling Commission’s online tracker survey shows that younger adults are more likely to follow operators on social media than older adults, and more likely to spend money as a result of operators’ posts than older age groups.
Draft SI: The Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order
We cannot predict the extent to which data sharing will influence the impact of financial checks at this stage since key implementation details are still subject to consultation (e.g. the data shared and the triggers for sharing it). Similarly, we assume CRAs can provide frictionless enhanced checks for 80% of customers who hit the enhanced spending check thresholds, with half the remainder subject to semi-agreeable checks (e.g. open banking) and the other half (10% of all those who hit the higher thresholds) subject to disagreeable checks. However, many people will simply complete the checks and no concerns would be raised, so for those individuals (as long as they are not showing other signs of harm) spending would not necessarily decrease. We used this as the best available data, but are aware that some features of the market have changed since 2019 (e.g. new player protections). The data underlying our modelling is the data tables produced as part of the Patterns of Play (PoP) research.
Some submissions provided evidence that only betting accounts were restricted (because of the element of skill) whereas gaming accounts were typically left unrestricted because of the statistically guaranteed return to operators. An international literature review reiterated earlier findings that their impact on levels of gambling harm is limited by low uptake but added that there is promising evidence that requiring customers to use pre-commitment tools on a mandatory basis would have a more pronounced impact on harm. We have considered the potential for a ‘tiered’ or ‘smart’ limit on stakes, which would take full advantage of the account-based nature of online gambling so that limits could be adjusted based on each individual’s risk profile. When stakes up to £100 were permitted on B2 gaming machines, research showed that problem gamblers were disproportionately placing higher stakes and used the maximum stake more frequently. We saw evidence that some online slot games currently permit stakes up to £500 per 2.5 second game cycle, which is many orders of magnitude greater than any electronic gaming product in the land-based sector.
Amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 (Mandatory and Default Conditions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
We will modernise the rules for land-based gambling and make sure that all gambling, be it online or offline, is overseen by a beefed up, better funded and more proactive Gambling Commission which can make full use of technology and data to keep abreast of the industry. Looking ahead, the UK faces a number of challenges in regulating the casino industry, including the rise of online gambling, concerns about problem gambling, and the need to adapt to rapidly changing technologies. Similar to standard slot games or fruit machines available only in the highly regulated environment of casinos, FOBTs are also offered in betting shops and at tracks with pool betting. In general, there are no separate laws for remote gambling; online casinos must follow the same rules and regulations established for land-based establishments in the Gambling Act 2005. The Gambling Commission regulates not only land-based casinos and gambling premises but also the entire remote gambling sector.
In the UK, the general legal gambling age is 18. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the official regulatory body overseeing gambling in Great Britain. Bingo and lotteries are legal under UK law, with specific licences depending on scale and type. The UK has some of the strictest gambling laws in the world. If you want to complain about a gambling business or need further help please contact us.
Regulator data shows that there is broadly a good standard of compliance with the existing advertising regulations. Many outdoor media owners therefore apply a ‘100 metre rule’, meaning they will not place certain ads, for example those that promote age-restricted products such as gambling, alcohol or e-cigarettes, within 100 metres of a school boundary. It also requires mandatory inclusion of safer gambling messaging, and has been updated to include the use of adtech to ensure social media ads are only targeted to users aged 25 and over where age verification is not in place, and that ads do not appear where keyword searches suggest vulnerability. The Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP), which set the rules which the ASA enforces, maintain and periodically update a dedicated broadcast and non-broadcast code (which also applies to out-of-home advertising, such as posters and billboards) for gambling and lotteries products. However, the continual growth of gambling marketing since 2005 has not resulted in an increase in gambling participation rates, which were higher overall prior to the Act’s implementation, or in population problem gambling rates which have remained broadly stable.
- For most recreational players these checks run automatically in the background using open banking data and credit reference agency information.
- Until the Gambling Act 2005, the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 prohibited “betting and the passing of betting slips” in licensed premises, that is those licensed to sell alcohol.
- Data from the National Gambling Treatment Service shows that a relatively small proportion of patients report participating in gaming machines in casinos.
- While this is certainly a reasonable belief to hold, the Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for spread betting.
Taking this approach will quickly introduce strengthened dispute resolution for customers to help them, where appropriate, receive redress should an operator be found to have treated them unfairly. We also expect it will be able to provide the Commission with valuable data on operator and market practices drawn from trends in consumer disputes to support timely regulatory action. We will work with industry and the ombudsman to ensure necessary impacts to business are accounted for and the foundational aspects of the scheme are appropriately designed. While primary legislation would be needed to establish a standalone ombudsman and the requirement on operators to abide by it beyond doubt or challenge, ombudsman functions could subsequently be conferred on an existing body, such as an existing ADR provider, if it had the appropriate membership of the OA.
These limits apply exclusively to online slots. Online slot stake limits are one of the most significant player-facing changes in recent UK gambling history. Always check bonus terms, as some operators have adjusted minimum deposits, maximum bet sizes during wagering, or game contribution weightings to compensate. This reform has fundamentally changed the value proposition of casino bonuses.
For instance, evidence provided by Bacta shows that the average stake placed on a Category B3 game is between £1.20 – £1.30, compared to 40p – 60p for a Category C machine. In response to these challenges, the white paper committed to changing the 80/20 rule to 50/50 to better meet the needs of industry and demands of customers. The Gambling Commission will also consult on appropriate player protections that should be required on these machines. The main theme that emerged from industry was that the current rule does not allow operators to meet consumer demand.
This includes all online casinos, both UK-based and offshore, that wish to offer their services to patrons in England, Wales, or Scotland. When it comes to gaming machines, however, the law sets no minimum age for Category D machines. Regional casinos are permitted to have up to 1,250 machines from Categories A, B, C, or D. Small casinos may offer up to 80 machines from Categories B, C, or D, whereas large casinos can host a maximum of 150 machines from those categories.
With the current evidence base, we do not support the prohibition of all Category D machines such as crane grabbers and coin pushers for under 18s. There is currently no substantive research or evidence clearly identifying harms resulting from general Category D machine play. Based on evidence submitted to the call for evidence we estimate that those that pay out money (known as “cash-out Category D slot machines”) currently account for approximately two thirds of Category D slot style machines. The economic value of FECs, which rely heavily on Category D machines, was highlighted in responses to our call for evidence.
Licensees should also consider whether any other exemptions to data subject rights (such as those set out in Schedule 2 of the draft Bill) may apply. The processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party (except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data)5. Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contractiii. GDPR provides for a number of lawful circumstances which are designed to allow legitimate processing in circumstances where it may be not practical to acquire consent, and to ensure that public policy objectives (such as the reduction of problem gambling) are met.
We also consider that allowing a smaller increase in machines where this is proportionate to overall size and non-gambling space (a sliding scale) would also be appropriate, and allow a proportionate increase for smaller casinos whilst maintaining a balanced offer of gaming products. In the last Gambling Review in 2018, the government acknowledged that machine allocations in casinos were low by international standards and said the question would be revisited if additional measures were put in place to manage the non gamestop casino risk of gambling-related harm effectively. In line with its 2018 advice to government, this is on the basis that a larger complement of gaming machines should be available only in premises which are also required to provide non-gambling leisure facilities, so as to achieve a balance in the leisure provision.
They also highlighted the importance of card account verification given the potential for stolen debit cards to be used to make direct payments to gambling machines. They also stated that individual gambling businesses should be allowed to decide if they would like to update their systems to provide direct debit card payments as it would be a significant cost to businesses to update all machines to have this functionality. We expect that operators will ensure that Category C and D machines made available to meet the ratio are available for use and have genuine customer appeal. We received some responses which suggested that Option 1 would be preferable to Option 2(a) for ensuring that a genuine offer of Category C and D machines are made available to customers. In respect of ensuring that customers receive a genuine offer of Category C and D machines, Option 2 is the only option which we believe would achieve this objective better than Option 2(a). These responses were strongly opposed to Option 2(a) and Option 2(b) on the grounds that the ratios proposed place too much emphasis on achieving commercial flexibility for businesses at the expense of mitigating against risks of gambling-related harm.
The UK Gambling Commission’s mandate is to regulate gambling and oversee gaming law in Wales, Scotland, and England. Whether you gamble online or at a live casino, you can count on the UK Gambling Commission to keep you safe. Further information on these changes will be published as it becomes available on the Gambling Commission’s website and communicated to operators and licensing authorities.
We do not propose that staff alerts are required for Category D machines that accept direct debit card payments. However, we think that this is an important tool that staff could use to monitor players and therefore, it should be a feature on Category B and C machines accepting cashless payments. In line with our approach to voluntary limit setting, we do not propose that Category D machines will be required to have mandatory limits for time and monetary thresholds.
The Gambling Commission also has a programme of research and can directly commission research to inform its regulation, but this focuses primarily on monitoring gambling participation and prevalence of gambling-related harms. Funding for gambling research is available both from government via UKRI and through a system of annual contributions from industry to fund research, education and treatment of gambling-related harms. In October 2021, fees for online operators were increased by 55% and application fees by 60% and in April 2022, non-remote licence fees were increased by 15%. The Commission can also investigate and take action against gambling sites and operators which are illegally targeting the British market without a licence.
However, over the longer term, some industry representatives have suggested that operators would likely further reduce their number of Category C and D cabinets in favour of multi-staking Category B cabinets. Under the scenario outlined in Option 2, it is anticipated that a genuine balance and choice of higher and lower stake machines would be achieved across venues. Indeed, we reviewed data that showed some operators, particularly in the bingo sector where tablets are in widespread use for playing bingo games, have significantly greater numbers of Category B cabinets than Category C and D cabinets. It would also provide greater flexibility in determining the make-up of their machines and potentially lead to the removal of machines, such as tablets and in-fills, that are infrequently played. Consequently, it would deter operators from offering tablets and in-fill devices as a way to increase the number of Category B cabinets on their premises.
The rise of digital gambling has triggered sweeping reforms—but until now, land-based casinos operated under softer guidelines, particularly when it came to machines. For converted casinos, however, there is an additional restriction on the number of betting machines relative to the size of the floor area of gambling area in that casino. Regulation 3 of these Regulations amends section 172(5)(b)(i) of the Gambling Act 2005 (c. 19) (“the Act”) to change how to calculate the number of gaming machines that may be made available for use in small casinos licensed under the Act. “extended converted casino premises” means premises in which gaming machines are made available for use in accordance with the extended gaming machine entitlement;
The Gaming Act 1968 restricted casinos to “permitted areas” based on population density and seaside resorts. This spend information is not currently provided to operators, but customers can use a range of safer gambling interventions on the apps themselves. In general, there is an element of staff supervision and intervention in land-based venues which can help to identify and support people suffering gambling harms. This appears to be driven by a return to in person gambling activities, particularly lotteries, fruit and slot machines, horse racing and bingo. Licensing authorities have a wide range of powers under the 2005 Act to refuse or place conditions on applications for gambling premises licences where there is cause for concern, and we fully support use of these powers.