Updated Casino Regulations in the United Kingdom
This mainly extended to random number-generated casino games, but a few submissions argued that betting should also be included. However, a case has been made that the unlimited stakes on online slots play are particularly problematic due to the nature of slots play and its increasing popularity as seen in the monthly operator data collected by the Gambling Commission since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the structural characteristics discussed above, stake size can be a key determinant of losses and gambling-related harm. However, the new rules will strive to make games intrinsically safer across the sector, while leaving space for operators to continue innovating and developing games which customers want to play. Longer-term, Gambling Commission changes to the prevalence and participation methodology will provide a more detailed assessment of problem gambling trends across the online slot player cohort to support evaluation.
Its proceeds will be ring-fenced for funding for research, education and treatment, including through the NHS. As it stands not all betting companies pay their fair share and some have paid as little as £1. The first statutory gambling operator levy will replace the current voluntary levy which is not fit for purpose.
Obtaining, retaining and using data for other social responsibility purposes
Under section 6.1.1 of the Commission’s LCCP, operators must put into effect appropriate policies and procedures for accepting and handling these complaints. Where operators breach these rules, they are subject to compliance and enforcement action by the Gambling Commission and consumer complaints are an important source of intelligence to inform this. As outlined in the previous chapter, the existing legislation and the Gambling Commission’s regulatory framework provide protections for individuals in setting rules which operators must follow.
The firm’s commitment to excellence is underscored by its numerous accolades, including awards for ‘Future of Legal Services’ and ‘Best Use of Technology.’ The firm has also consistently received recognition as the UK Copyright Firm of the Year by Managing Intellectual Property and achieved top-tier rankings in media and entertainment by Chambers and Partners. The firm has established several spin-off ventures and solutions that leverage its expertise in media, technology and IP, including Incopro, Overmorrow, Curio, Kritic, Viewfinder, Wiggin Data Services and IR35 Manager. Wiggin distinguishes itself by anticipating future trends and their potential impact on clients’ businesses.The firm has successfully campaigned for significant industry changes, such as the extension of the UK Film Tax Credit and mitigation of the impact of IR35 changes on the media sector. Wiggin is a UK-based full-service law firm, headquartered in London, with a dedicated focus on media, technology and intellectual property (IP) matters. It is also worth noting that, in recent months, the Gambling Commission issued an “Industry Warning Notice” to those B2B operators that it has licensed after observing that certain games developed by such licensees appear accessible to British consumers on B2C websites that are not licensed by the Commission.
Simon Stevens, then-chief executive of the NHS, said in 2013 that he “disapproved of eight betting firms” because “they do not pay towards NHS costs in countering gambling addiction.” The gambling industry has announced voluntary curbs on television advertising. The online sports betting market in the UK is estimated to be worth £650 million which has seen a compounding annual growth rate from 2009 to 2012 of approximately 7%.
With increased resources in due course, the Commission plans to invest in its data systems in order to better understand consumer behaviour and operator compliance. It is supported by existing powers in the Gambling Act for the Commission to make data requests as part of its regulatory activities. It has indicated, including in a speech by its Chief Executive to the GambleAware conference in 2021, that repeated failings are an aggravating factor and tougher action will be taken against repeat offenders.
Option 2 would likely remove any incentive for operators to not abide by ‘available for use’ guidance. For example, a Category B tablet could only be made available for use if there is one other Category C or D tablet that customers can play on in the venue. This proposal outlined in Option 2 would require any such premises to have one Category C or D cabinet for each Category B cabinet it sites.
It therefore created local regulators through the 368 licensing authorities of England, Wales and Scotland. The 2005 Act established the Gambling Commission as the dedicated regulator at a national level but it also recognised the potential local impact and importance of gambling. This percentage change in session loss distribution could indicate gamblers’ behaviour changing, with comparatively fewer large session losses on machine games due to the reduced maximum stake limit. The number of betting shops in Great Britain has dropped by 16% from a recent peak of 9,128 in 2012 to 6,219 in March 2022.
Chapter 6: Land-based gambling
Encouraging further industry innovation within the current framework is unlikely to achieve meaningful progress due to limitations with meeting wider consumer preferences. Consumer preferences therefore indicate that cashless would need to complement, rather than replace, cash as a gambling payment method. 45% of respondents would not be happy at all to pay for gambling via cashless payment methods. 77% felt that cashless makes it easier to spend more on gambling than intended, and 66% said that using cashless payment methods made it feel like they are spending less money than they actually are.
Industry submissions put forward a range of proposals for changes to the rules that could allow the sector to develop and thus support the Review’s objective of ensuring the regulatory landscape for land-based gambling reflected changes since 2005. The Act embedded a principle that gambling should generally take place in gambling-specific premises as opposed to places where it would be incidental to the establishment’s primary purpose, such as cafes or taxi offices. The fees must be set on a cost recovery basis to cover the cost of administration and enforcement (e.g. inspections), and are therefore essential to ensure that licensing authorities can properly regulate gambling in their areas. Scottish Ministers also have the power to set application and annual fees for premises licences, which differ from the fees set out for England and Wales, set out in the Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007.
This is an element in the alcohol licensing process that captures a wide range of evidence to inform licensing decisions. Most submissions to the call for evidence from licensing authorities cited the ‘aim to permit’ provision in the 2005 Act as an issue. As outlined above, the 2005 Act gave licensing authorities a range of powers to regulate gambling in their local area. However, some also voiced concerns that payment with debit cards could make it harder for customers to stay in control of spending and some were sceptical of the extent to which existing debit card technology would make it possible for operators to track chaotic play and intervene appropriately.
The aim of this package of recent reforms and further investigation from the Commission is to provide a proportionate, evidence-driven response to the risk of harm from irresponsible targeting of bonuses, without impeding licensed operators’ legitimate ability to provide bonuses to attract and retain customers. A study commissioned by a challenger bank and submitted to DCMS after the call for evidence found that a third of online gamblers have deposited gambling funds via non-card based payment methods such as bank transfers, but this was even more common among younger or very regular gamblers. With respect to deposit limits specifically, a number of respondents, including some operators, proposed requiring all customers to set their own limit as a condition of gambling online. The stake limits already applied to electronic gaming machines in the land-based sector could be a sensible starting point.
Some lotteries including large society lotteries and licensing authority lotteries are licensed by the Gambling Commission, while small society lotteries must register with a licensing authority. Some respondents pointed to the relatively high test purchasing scores for licensed gambling premises compared to those for the sale of other age-restricted products. There was limited evidence to suggest these measures would materially improve on the current rules, which allow operators to verify age and identity via background checks that are effective in the vast majority of cases and are minimally disruptive to the customer. Bacta argued that further restrictions on children’s access to Category D machines was unnecessary, drawing attention to its voluntarily imposed 18+ age limit for playing Category D cash payout slot machines and measures in its charter that limit access and appeal to children. Evidence came from a wide range of respondents including industry, charities, researchers, campaign groups, Parliamentarians and local authorities. One of the few longitudinal studies of gambling behaviours in the UK found that patterns of problem/moderate risk gambling can often be established by 20 years of age.
Eight arrested in illegal gambling raids
Most people will probably find this impacts their slot machine play a lot since so many people use autoplay to avoid the tedious clicking. In addition, all autoplay features will need to be removed from casino games. We think that many of these changes will help combat problem gambling, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up being used in multiple gambling jurisdictions anyway. We expect a lot of these changes to roll out around the world, especially in games produced by British casino game developers.
Empowering local leaders to take decisions in their area is a priority for this government and we support them in the use of the broad powers which the planning and gambling regulation frameworks give them to set licence conditions and consider applications. This is subject to further work to assess the conditions and how to limit gambling harm, and subject to Parliamentary time to legislate. We support allowing specific proposals for new machine games to be tested within planned industry pilots under certain conditions, with the close involvement of the Gambling Commission. We recognise the internationally competitive market in which the small number of high-end casinos operate and the challenges the sector faces.
As part of the arrangements for allocating existing 2005 Act licences, where more than one operator wanted to develop a casino, local authorities were able to take into account the financial contribution of operators towards regeneration and harm prevention. Increased machine allowances across the casino estate will bring commercial benefits to casino operators, and allow them to compete on a more equitable footing with online operators. We estimate around 50 casinos smaller than the 2005 Act Small casino would also be able to benefit from increased machine allowances, proportionate to their size and non-gambling space. 1968 Act casinos which do not meet these size requirements will also be able to benefit from extra machines on a pro rata basis commensurate with their size.
First, use the casino’s internal complaints procedure and allow up to 8 weeks for a response. The aim is to identify and protect financially vulnerable players without disrupting the majority of customers. Stage 1 (light-touch) triggers when net losses reach £125 within a rolling 30-day period, using background non gamestop casinos financial data. Affordability checks are a two-stage system designed to prevent gambling beyond your means.
Advertisers must instead promote responsible gambling and clearly state that all gambling involves risk. They apply to both direct advertising by gambling operators and affiliate marketing. The gambling and betting advertising rules are designed to ensure that ads are socially responsible. The ASA was established in 1962 by the advertising industry to adjudicate complaints based on the newly published British Code of Advertising Practice (the CAP Code). However, the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 brought changes to the licensing regime for operators. Until 2014, when amendments to the Gambling Act were made, operators licensed in certain countries could advertise their services and provide gambling facilities in the UK without an additional license from the UKGC.
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In practice, operators elect to site Category B machines and typically have an offering of 20 Category B1 machines. Without intervention, there is a risk that machines could become obsolete as we move towards a “cashless” society. The white paper proposed to reform the 80/20 rule in response to evidence that the current rule does not allow operators to adequately meet consumer demand, while still providing a balanced product offer to customers. Arcades and bingo premises are subject to an 80/20 rule which governs the balance of Category B (maximum £2 stake) and Category C or D machines in these venues (up to a maximum £1 stake). The size of Britain’s land-based casino sector has remained relatively flat in recent years, in contrast to an expanding online market.
- Finally, treatment providers, most notably NHS clinicians and third sector gambling treatment specialists, provided 8 submissions.
- The Commission’s current approach adequately deals with that risk at present, but it will continue to monitor the development of new technologies and payment vehicles closely.
- While key details will be determined through a forthcoming Gambling Commission consultation, our proposal for financial risk checks (Section 1.2 above) is likely to have a significant impact on online GGY.
- Particular concern was raised in some submissions to the call for evidence that free bets or other promotional offers might encourage harmful engagement with gambling both in the present, and following a period of abstinence, and this was reflected in some of the most robust evidence available.
- Despite indications from operators that there would not be appetite to site more than 80 machines in a single location, we want to ensure that this is not a possibility, removing the risk that these casinos could site more machines than a Small or even Large 2005 Act casino.
This White Paper is a coherent package of proposals which we believe can significantly support and protect consumers, and improve overall standards in the industry. Given the correct powers and resources, the Gambling Commission can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime free. The review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver positive change for gambling in Great Britain and for all people impacted by it. The measures we are announcing will protect at-risk players, while allowing the millions who bet regularly to do so unhindered.
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Every casino below is real-money tested, UKGC-verified, and rated across 7 criteria. A further casino guidance update to reflect the upcoming changes under The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (opens in new tab) will be published in due course. Yes, but new rules as of January 2026 ban “mixed incentives.” This means a casino cannot require you to bet on sports to get slot spins.
Gaining access to gambling from 18 years of age also coincides with an important developmental and social period in many adolescents’ lives, typically characterised by new freedoms and responsibilities, such as starting university, getting a job, living independently, and/or managing money for the first time. There is data to show that 27% of gamblers aged between 16 and 25 report friends encouraging them to gamble more money/more often. Further, some call for evidence respondents cited neurological research showing cognitive development continuing up to the age of 25 and argued that protective measures should reflect the fact that young adults may still be developing capacity to regulate impulses and make more rational decisions. However, there is growing evidence that younger adults may benefit from greater protection than other groups.