The Gambling Commission is introducing updates to improve its oversight of operators and ensure that licence conditions reflect recent consumer law changes.
The updated financial reporting and LCCP rules come as the Commission's Wave 2 2025 survey shows that 47% of UK adults gambled in the past month.
The first update addresses financial key event reporting, requiring licence holders to provide the Commission with information on ownership and finances. The revised rules take effect on 19 March 2026.
The second update relates to consumer protection within the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). These amendments follow the introduction of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act 2024. The Act replaces the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and revokes the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015.
References to previous LCCP regulations will be replaced with the DMCC Act. Some changes take effect 6 April 2026, with others pending the Department for Business and Trade abolishing the ADR regulations.
Tim Miller, Research and Policy ED, stated: "Complex global business structures mean that their operator ownership and interests are not always clear and their financing arrangements are not always straightforward.'
Recently, the Gambling Commission fined a Stoke-on-Trent man for running an illegal WhatsApp bookmaker and published research showing that young men often gamble confidently despite not fully understanding the odds.
The updated financial reporting and LCCP rules are timely given the Autumn Budget's remote gaming duty increases with remote gaming duty up to 40%
