Online gambling law and regulation in Great Britain

Under the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, from 1 October 2014 all operators providing gambling services to customers located in Great Britain need to hold a licence obtained from the Gambling Commission.

The supply of gambling in Great Britain is governed principally by the Gambling Act 2005 (the “2005 Act”), which came fully into force on 1 September 2007, together with a substantial body of secondary legislation, statutory guidance and the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (“LCCP”).

A comprehensive Review of the 2005 Act culminated in the Gambling White Paper (April 2023) (the “White Paper”). The White Paper sets out a series of significant reforms to the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, with the aim of strengthening consumer protections and updating the regulatory framework to reflect technological developments and emerging risks. Key proposals (some already implemented, others scheduled) include (i) a statutory levy to replace the voluntary RET contributions, (ii) stake limits for online slots (£2–£15 depending on age verification), (iii) mandatory frictionless financial risk checks at defined loss thresholds, (iv) new product design rules (such as spin speed restrictions, an autoplay ban, and default sound requirements), (v) a centralised, real-time “single customer view” to identify markers of harm, and (vi) higher due-diligence thresholds for VIPs. Secondary legislation and revised LCCP provisions are expected to be phased in between now and 2026. The White Paper signals the Government’s intention to move towards a more risk-based, evidence-led approach to gambling regulation, with a particular focus on online gambling, affordability, and enhanced consumer protection.

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