The executive director of the UKGC has confirmed that more changes are coming
The UK is pressing ahead with a wide-ranging overhaul of its casino and gambling sector, with regulators making clear that operators should expect continued scrutiny. At the Peers for Gambling Reform Summit in Westminster, Gambling Commission Executive Director Tim Miller described the current wave of changes as the most comprehensive since the 2005 Gambling Act. He also warned that while progress has been made, the Commission will not hesitate to act against businesses that fail to comply.
Several key reforms are already in place following the 2023 White Paper. Among them are financial vulnerability checks, now triggered when customers lose £150 within a 30-day period, and stricter rules around direct marketing, allowing players more control over the communications they receive. Online product standards have also been adjusted to reduce game speed and intensity, while casinos must now apply tighter age verification, challenging anyone appearing under 25.
Miller urged operators to focus on implementing these reforms properly rather than simply pushing for additional changes. He emphasized that effectiveness will be judged by evidence, not assumptions, noting that the Commission is working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the National Centre for Social Research to track outcomes.
At the same time, the Commission is stepping up its crackdown on illegal gambling sites. Since April, regulators have issued 344 cease-and-desist orders, flagged more than 45,000 URLs to search engines, and disrupted 235 websites through takedowns and geo-blocking. Miller acknowledged the resource intensity of these efforts but said they were paying off.
Industry voices, however, caution that while regulation is necessary, too much friction could frustrate responsible gamblers. Consultant Mark McGuiness noted that most people gamble as a form of entertainment, and stricter controls risk intruding on that experience.
Miller closed by stressing that delivery of reforms, rather than promises of more, is what will ensure gambling in the UK remains safe, fair, and free from crime.
