UK: New Gambling Policy Commission to Review Regulations Until 2028

The regulatory landscape in the United Kingdom is facing a massive overhaul. Today, November 9, it was officially announced that the Gambling Policy Commission (GCP) has commenced its work. This independent group of experts from diverse disciplines such as law, health, economics, and sport has set out to critically examine the existing legislative framework for gambling in the UK. This is not about minor adjustments but a fundamental assessment of what remains relevant after more than two decades of technological development.

The Commission has opened a formal evidence collection period that runs until February 12, 2027. During this time, researchers, consumers, gambling operators, trade bodies, and organizations for the prevention and treatment of gambling harm are invited to submit written evidence and data. A particular focus lies on the impact of the Gambling Act 2005 and the recent reforms from the 2023 White Paper. The experts aim to understand whether current consumer protections are sufficient and how the market compares internationally.

Numbers and facts

A central point of the investigation is the age of the current legislative foundations. The last comprehensive and fully independent review took place in 2001, known as the Budd Report. Since then, the world of gambling has changed radically due to the internet and mobile devices. Jagjit Chadha, Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge and Chair of the GCP, clearly emphasizes the necessity of this new initiative.

"The last comprehensive independent review of gambling legislation was undertaken a quarter of a century ago. Since then, both the gambling market and the wider technological environment have changed considerably. Our purpose is to examine the evidence carefully and independently: to understand how the existing framework has operated, assess the impact of more recent reforms, and consider what legislative and regulatory framework will be appropriate for the years ahead." - Jagjit Chadha, Chair of the Gambling Policy Commission

Another aspect is the financial impact of existing rules. It is expected that the already introduced online slot limits (5 pounds for those over 25, 2 pounds for younger players) could reduce operators' Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) by approximately 181 million pounds. Additionally, a statutory levy aims to generate 100 million pounds annually for research, prevention, and treatment (RPT). The GCP will examine whether these funds are being used effectively or if new bureaucratic hurdles are hindering player protection.

Background

The formation of the GCP comes at a time when the industry is already struggling with numerous changes. Since April and May, stricter rules for direct marketing and bonus offers have been in effect. Nevertheless, there are voices warning against over-regulation. Wes Himes, senior adviser at the Betting and Gaming Council, noted that renewed calls for reform could undermine the implementation of the 2023 White Paper. The government had estimated the economic impact of the White Paper measures on the online sector to be a decrease between 584 million and 914 million pounds.

Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, welcomes the independence of the new commission. He points out that rapidly growing prediction markets, in particular, show how much the Gambling Act 2005 has been superseded by technical progress. Everything from consumer protection to appropriate tax policy needs urgent review. However, the GCP's results are not expected until a final report is filed in 2028.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, looking at the UK often provides a preview of possible developments in their own country. While the British market is now being put to the test again, Germany already has very strict rules with the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). The cross-operator deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the stake limit of 1 euro per spin for online slots are a fixed part of everyday life here. These measures are monitored by the LUGAS system to ensure player protection.

The British debate on offshore gambling is particularly relevant for German customers. Those playing with providers without a German license enter a legal gray area without the protection of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). The GGL maintains a whitelist listing all legal providers. German players should ensure they only play at these licensed portals, as only there are the strict German standards for data and player protection guaranteed. British findings on black market shifts could also influence German legislation in the future if it turns out that excessively harsh limits push players into unregulated channels.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators with a GGL license must closely observe developments in the UK, as regulatory trends often act cross-border. The British GCP is explicitly investigating how effectively cooperation between authorities works and how technological innovations, for example, in gaming machines in land-based casinos, should be regulated. In Germany, technical standards are already very detailed as specified by the GGL. Should the British Commission conclude that certain limits weaken the channeling effect, this could provide long-term arguments for a flexibilization of German rules to strengthen the competitiveness of legal providers against MGA or Curacao platforms.