UKGC invites operators to propose cuts to regulatory red tape

The UK Gambling Commission has opened a formal submission window for operators, licensing authorities and trade associations to propose reductions to the administrative and compliance burden of gambling regulation in Great Britain, with submissions accepted until 25 September 2026.

The initiative, launched on 26 June 2026, forms part of the Commission’s 2026–27 Business Plan and delivers on a specific commitment to review industry proposals aimed at cutting regulatory costs without reducing consumer protections. The Commission has indicated it may provide advice to government on legislative changes where proposals require it.

What operators can propose

The scope is broad. Eligible submissions may address requirements under the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), remote technical standards, Statements of Principles, or the interaction between multiple regulatory obligations across a single business.

Submissions may also flag requirements that have become outdated or duplicative as a result of subsequent regulatory or legislative changes.

Operators may put forward ideas for enhancing the consumer experience, provided these remain reasonably consistent with the three licensing objectives of the Gambling Act 2005: keeping crime out of gambling, ensuring fair and open play, and protecting children and vulnerable people.

Administrative improvements are in scope. The Commission said it welcomes suggestions on how it could more effectively structure or communicate its regulatory requirements and guidance. Operational processes, including the costs of administration associated with regulatory reporting, are specifically highlighted as areas where streamlining could be considered.

Where proposals extend into matters beyond the Commission’s remit — including primary legislation — the regulator said it will pass these on to relevant bodies and, where appropriate, offer its own assessment of their viability.

Each submission must address a specific regulatory requirement and include the submitter’s rationale, anticipated benefits, implementation considerations and an assessment of potential equalities impacts. Where an operator has multiple proposals, a separate form is required for each one.

An Operators Engagement Forum on 2 July 2026 will provide the first in-person discussion opportunity. Decisions on which proposals to act on will be subject to resource availability and business planning priorities, and any changes to existing controls may require a separate formal consultation before taking effect.

White Paper reforms excluded

The exercise has defined limits. The Commission will not consider proposals linked to policy areas still awaiting a consultation outcome, or to reforms introduced recently and still under evaluation for their medium-to-longer-term impact on consumers and businesses.

That boundary covers the broad package of consumer protection measures delivered under the 2023 Gambling White Paper, High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age. The Commission stated that revisiting those changes would only be considered in response to strong evidence of adverse outcomes already being realised. DCMS expects its evaluation of the White Paper to report in 2026, and that process remains under way.

Industry context

The call arrives at a difficult moment for licensed operators in Great Britain. Remote gaming duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026, following the Autumn 2025 Budget. A proposed fee increase of up to 30% on operating licences is expected to follow in October 2026.

The Commission’s own enforcement activity has also intensified. It carried out 9,700 compliance actions in 2024–25, more than double the 4,200 recorded in 2023–24, and has pledged to maintain that level of oversight. The 2026–27 Business Plan acknowledged the cost pressure on operators, noting it had worked alongside DCMS and the Department for Business and Trade to identify ways to reduce the administrative burden without weakening consumer protections.

For context on recent UK enforcement actions, the Commission issued £18m in penalties during 2025 alone. The UKGC’s technical guidance on dynamic stake limits issued in February 2026 is among the White Paper-linked requirements now excluded from this review.

The Commission’s appetite to act on submissions will depend on the quality and evidence base of proposals received, and its assessment of any trade-offs against its consumer protection mandate.

Source: UK Gambling Commission