UK Gambling Commission Reviews Crypto Payments For Licensed Gambling

The UK Gambling Commission has started examining whether cryptoassets could become a payment option in licensed gambling across Great Britain. Executive Director Tim Miller confirmed the plan while speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council AGM, tying the discussion to wider financial services reform and the incoming FCA crypto regime.

Government introduced the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 Cryptoassets Regulations 2025 into parliament in December 2025. If parliament approves the measure, cryptoasset activity will fall under oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority. Current plans indicate a start date of 25 October 2027.

Growing demand from players and rising traffic to unlicensed gambling sites have pushed the topic higher on the regulatory agenda.

Good to Know

• FCA authorisation will be mandatory for firms carrying out regulated cryptoasset activity
• Industry Forum will examine how crypto could fund legal gambling in Great Britain
• Commission research shows crypto is one of the top search terms linked to unlicensed gambling

Miller confirmed that the Commission Industry Forum will study how cryptoassets might operate within existing licensing objectives. No timeline has been set. Focus remains on feasibility and safeguards rather than speed.

“Firms wishing to undertake any of the new cryptoasset regulated activities will need to be authorised by the FCA under FSMA with permission to undertake those activities at the point the new regime commences,” Miller said. “These steps, progressing the FCA’s roadmap, do change the picture.

“And that, as well as the growing appetite we see from punters, means we do now want to start looking at what the potential path forward would be to create a way for cryptoassets to be used as a consumer payment option for licensed and regulated gambling in Great Britain.

“As a tentative first step, I’ve asked our Industry Forum to look at how they think this could be progressed sensibly and in line with the licensing objectives. At the Commission we know this is something where demand exists.”

Crypto payments already appear across offshore gambling platforms. Licensed operators in Great Britain currently cannot offer direct crypto betting under Commission rules. Regulatory clarity from FCA oversight could reshape that position.

Commission research highlights a practical concern. According to Miller, crypto is one of the two most common search terms that direct British consumers toward unlicensed gambling sites.

“There will be significant challenges and risks to overcome in considering this topic but I am keen that we approach this in the spirit of exploring the art of the possible rather than starting from a position of finding all the reasons not to innovate,” Miller said.

“As we slowly but surely get towards the time our own role in implementing the Gambling Act Review will come to an end, supporting innovation is something that we want to be able to point some of our resources towards. And again, given the changing picture and our expectation of growth in the illegal market, we think this is important in terms of helping keep consumers safe.

“Innovation should be and can be one of our central consumer protection tools when it comes to the illegal market.”

Commission leadership views innovation not only as commercial development but also as a defensive tool against illegal gambling growth. Crypto regulation, if aligned with FCA standards, could pull activity back into licensed channels where consumer protection rules apply.

Stability After Gambling Act Review

Much of the Gambling Act Review implementation is now underway. Miller urged a pause in continuous reform.

“To repeat what I said last year at Peers for Gambling Reform, getting into a position where we are on an endless treadmill of reform will not take us any further forward in figuring out what works,” he said. “Like a treadmill, we will risk expending a lot of energy just to go nowhere. That’s not an outcome the commission wants.”

Industry operators have faced affordability checks, marketing restrictions, and new compliance layers over recent years. Miller suggested a period of stability would help assess impact before additional policy shifts.

Illegal gambling enforcement remains a parallel priority. Miller welcomed 26 million pounds in additional government funding to strengthen action against unlicensed operators.

Coordination beyond the regulator will be necessary. Cooperation from technology platforms, payment providers, and affiliates forms part of the strategy.

“Since my speech at ICE, I have met with Meta and they have committed to working with the commission further in this space, especially in relation to ‘not on GamStop’ sites,” he said. “I intend to hold them to that.”

Search engines, social platforms, and payment rails often determine how easily consumers reach offshore operators. Crypto adds another layer, which is why FCA oversight under the Financial Services and Markets Act framework plays a central role in future planning.

Leadership Transition At The Commission

Miller also addressed leadership change. Andrew Rhodes will step down as Chief Executive on 30 April. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will serve as acting CEO while recruitment for a permanent successor begins.

“I want to put on record my own thank you to Andrew for his excellent leadership for the nearly five years he has been at the commission,” Miller said, adding:

“Speaking personally, he is an amazing boss to work for and frankly one of the best human beings I’ve met.

“I’m not the only one at the commission who will miss him when he goes.”

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