UKGC secures £26m to step up crackdown on illegal gambling across Great Britain
Summary
At the BACTA Annual Convention on 27 November 2025, UK Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes announced a government Budget settlement that provides an additional £26 million over three years specifically to tackle illegal gambling across Great Britain. Rhodes described the boost as unprecedented in his public-sector career and said it marks a tangible shift in the Commission’s operational reach, especially in the land-based sector.
The Commission reported that for the year ending 31 March 2025 the regulated market produced £16.8 billion in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY), with £4.8 billion from physical venues. There are 8,234 licensed premises across Great Britain, of which 5,825 are betting shops. Rhodes said resource limits had previously constrained inspections and interventions; the new funding will expand monitoring, disruption activity and more proactive enforcement while aiming to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for compliant operators.
Key Points
- Government has allocated £26 million over three years to the UK Gambling Commission to tackle illegal gambling — a nine-fold increase targeted at enforcement.
- The funding is intended to expand monitoring, disruption and enforcement activity in the land-based sector (casinos, bingo halls, arcades, betting shops).
- Latest figures (year to 31 March 2025): regulated GGY £16.8bn, £4.8bn from physical venues, 8,234 licensed premises, 5,825 betting shops.
- Andrew Rhodes said the Commission had been limited by resources; the new money will enable more inspections and decisive action against unlawful activity.
- Recent enforcement cases (including failures in self-exclusion controls) underline the Commission’s focus on mandatory protections for consumers.
- The approach emphasises fair competition for licensed operators and stronger deterrence against illegal venues rather than a pure increase in punitive sanctions.
- Overall aim: a “level and safe marketplace” where legitimate businesses can operate with confidence and illegal operators face meaningful disruption.
Context and relevance
This is a notable regulatory development for the UK gambling industry. The funding increase comes as the land-based sector remains commercially significant but faces risks from illicit activity. Operators, compliance teams and trade bodies should expect more active oversight — more inspections, targeted disruption and greater emphasis on consumer-protection measures (self-exclusion, ID checks and mandatory controls). The move also signals political will to strengthen enforcement capacity after years of resource constraints.
Why should I read this
Quick heads-up: if you run or advise any land-based gambling venue in Great Britain, this matters. The UKGC now has proper cash to ramp up checks and enforcement — so tidy up compliance, double-check self-exclusion and training, and don’t be the business that gets caught out. We read the speech so you don’t have to — consider this your compliance wake-up call.