UK Gambling Policy Commission Opens Review of Online Betting Laws

An independent UK Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) has launched a review of the Gambling Act 2005, examining whether the country needs new gambling laws. The inquiry will cover online gambling, taxation, consumer protection and newer products such as prediction markets.

Good to know

• The GPC will examine whether the Gambling Act 2005 needs replacing, with a final report expected in 2028.
• Gambling generated £5 billion for the UK economy in 2024, while betting and gaming duties reached £3.9 billion in 2025/26.
• The review will cover unlicensed gambling, gambling taxes, player protection, cryptocurrencies and prediction markets.

Gambling Taxes and Unlicensed Operators Under Review

The UK gambling industry faces another round of regulatory questions following recent tax increases and growing concerns about offshore gambling.

The government plans to raise Machine Games Duty from 5% to 25%, while the GPC will examine how gambling taxes affect licensed operators, consumers and the wider economy.

The sector contributed £5 billion ($6.71 billion) to UK gross value added in 2024 and supported around 75,000 jobs in 2025. HM Revenue & Customs also collected £3.9 billion ($5.23 billion) in gambling duties during 2025/26.

Meanwhile, the commission wants to understand why players choose unlicensed gambling websites and whether existing enforcement tools work.

A recent Gambling Commission survey found that 2.5% of adults who had gambled online during the previous year had visited an unlicensed gambling website within the preceding four weeks.

However, Gambling Compliance International president Ismail Vali questioned whether player participation figures reflect the true financial size of the offshore market.

“The percentage of people reporting illegal gambling is not the percentage of gambling revenue captured by crime,” Vali said.

“A relatively small audience, particularly one concentrated around vulnerable, repeat or high-value gambling behaviours, can generate substantial criminal revenue,” he added.

The GPC will also assess whether payment providers, search engines, app stores and social media platforms can do more to restrict unlicensed gambling.

Could the UK Replace the Gambling Act 2005?

Technology forms another major part of the review. Prediction markets, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency gambling and digital products with gambling features have created questions that lawmakers barely considered two decades ago.

Will Hutton, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, pointed to prediction markets as an example.

“Everything from consumer protection to appropriate tax policies need urgent review,” Hutton said.

The inquiry will examine whether conventional online gambling licences remain appropriate for all remote gaming products. Alternatives could include restricted licensing or public provision.

Alongside newer technologies, the commission will review reforms introduced following the 2023 Gambling White Paper, including whether player protection measures have delivered the intended results.

The statutory gambling levy, which funds research, prevention and treatment, will also receive attention. Another question concerns whether consumers should have additional civil legal remedies for gambling-related harm.

British horseracing could face changes too. The GPC will consider whether sports organisations deserve economic rights over betting on their events and whether a Sports Betting Levy should replace part of General Betting Duty.

The review will also consider better coordination between government departments.

Independent Commission Targets 2028 Report

Professor Jagjit Chadha of the University of Cambridge chairs the GPC, with University of Reading professor James Reade serving as chief economist.

Chadha said the last comprehensive independent gambling legislation review took place roughly 25 years ago.

“Since then, both the gambling market and the wider technological environment have changed considerably,” he said.

The independent commission is separate from the UK Gambling Commission, which remains responsible for regulating licensed gambling under existing legislation.

Researchers, consumers, gambling companies, sports bodies and policymakers can submit evidence until February 12, 2027. The GPC will continue research throughout 2027 before publishing its findings in 2028.

FAQ

Will the UK replace the Gambling Act 2005?

Possibly. The GPC will assess whether existing gambling legislation remains suitable or whether Parliament should consider new laws.

Will the review affect online casinos and sports betting?

The inquiry covers online casino regulation, sports betting, licensing, gambling taxes, consumer protection and unlicensed operators.

When will the UK gambling review finish?

The commission expects to publish its final report in 2028, following the February 12, 2027 evidence submission deadline.

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