UK Gambling Commission Seeks Industry Input on Regulatory Burden

The UK Gambling Commission has formally invited all licensed operators to identify the most pressing regulatory burdens currently affecting the sector. Forming part of the regulator’s 2026-2027 business plan, which seeks to incentivize innovation while maintaining necessary regulatory standards. The UK Gambling Commission aims to incorporate a comprehensive review of industry proposals that assess existing regulations and evaluate how effectively they are being communicated to stakeholders. Operators should note that feedback on live policy areas currently subject to consultation will not be considered, particularly those with unpublished outcomes or recently implemented measures still under evaluation.

UK Gambling Commission Launches 2026-2027 Regulatory Review

Subject to resource availability, the UK Gambling Commission has opened submissions from gambling operators seeking to streamline regulatory administrative burdens. The consultation window remains open until 25 September 2026, allowing operators to submit detailed proposals through an online form specifically designed for this purpose.

This initiative represents the final year of the Commission’s three-year Corporate Strategy: Gambling Regulation in a Digital Age. The regulatory body continues implementing commitments stemming from the white paper “High Stakes – gambling reform for the digital age,” published in April 2023. These commitments align with the National Audit Office’s principles of effective regulation, the Regulators’ Code, and the Commission’s own Statement of Principles.

The next Operators Engagement Forum, scheduled for 2 July 2026, will provide a platform for discussing regulatory burden reduction. Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy, stated the Commission wants to hear from the industry about where regulation can be improved or streamlined without compromising consumer protections.

Operators can submit proposals addressing various regulatory components, including the Commission’s License Conditions and Codes of Practice, technical standards, and reporting processes. The regulator maintains its focus on ensuring compliance costs remain proportionate to consumer risks while keeping crime out of gambling, ensuring fair conduct, and protecting children and vulnerable individuals from harm.

Which Regulatory Issues Can Operators Address?

Operators can submit proposals addressing regulatory requirements that have generated significant compliance costs or operational challenges. The Gambling Commission has indicated openness to reviewing areas where administrative burdens may outweigh consumer protection benefits, particularly in cases where multiple regulatory frameworks overlap.

Recent regulatory implementations have drawn industry feedback regarding disproportionate costs. The direct marketing requirements under Social Responsibility Code 5.1.12, which mandates operators obtain consent on a per-product and per-channel basis, faced resistance from land-based and lottery sectors due to infrastructure limitations. The UK Gambling Commission excluded these sectors from the requirement after consultation responses demonstrated the disproportionate burden relative to customer benefits.

Tax policy changes present another area of concern for operators. Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% as of 1 April 2026, while General Betting Duty will rise to 25% in April 2027. These changes prompted warnings from operators about potential market distortions. European jurisdictions with higher tax rates have experienced significant black market growth, with France seeing 57% of gambling activity moving offshore, Sweden 35%, and the Netherlands 37%. The UK’s black market share has risen from 3.3% in 2021 to approximately 5% currently, representing hundreds of millions in untaxed activity.

Customer interaction requirements introduced in September 2022 require operators to monitor specific harm indicators and implement automated processes for strong indicators of risk.

How Should Operators Structure Their Proposals?

The UK Gambling Commission requires operators to submit proposals using a standardized form designed to capture comprehensive information about suggested regulatory changes. The form follows a structured approach divided into four primary sections, though not all questions require answers depending on the proposal’s nature.

The first section addresses the proposal summary and current position. Operators must provide a brief overview of their suggestion, specify which license type or activity the proposal affects, identify the relevant regulatory framework section, and describe the burden associated with current requirements.

In the rationale section, operators explain their reasoning from consumer, industry, and regulatory perspectives. This includes identifying risks to licensing objectives and proposed mitigation strategies, alongside anticipated opportunities and benefits.

The implementation and evaluation component requires operators to recommend appropriate methods for action, assess industry costs associated with implementation, and outline approaches for long-term evaluation of any adopted proposals.