Gambling Commission seeking industry input to reduce regulatory pains

The UK Gambling Commission has invited industry stakeholders to submit proposals aimed at reducing administrative and compliance burdens associated with regulatory obligations.

The initiative, announced on Friday, has sought practical suggestions for simplifying regulatory requirements in the UK, while maintaining essential consumer protections.

Industry participants have been encouraged to submit ideas to help the regulator streamline regulatory reporting, clarify existing rules, or inspire legislative changes where feasible.

It follows the commission’s April-launched 2026-27 Business Plan, which included a commitment to support consumer-focused innovation, as well as enhanced guidance for stakeholders, advancing digitisation of licensing services and reducing data reporting requirements where feasible.

Scope of the request

The invitation was expanded to operators and suppliers and covers an expansive scope of regulations, including the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, technical standards, statements of principles and the interplay between multiple regulatory obligations for businesses. 

The Gambling Commission said it was particularly interested in suggestions covering market changes or developments in other regulations, where some processes have become obsolete or excessive. 

Additionally, it said proposals which improve the commission’s own processes and enhance communication of regulatory expectations without compromising the Gambling Act 2005 licensing objectives are encouraged.

Submissions will be accepted until 25 September 2026, and the Gambling Commission plans to engage in detailed discussions at the Operators Engagement Forum on 2 July 2026.

Industry stakeholders must complete a standardised form, detailing the current regulatory position addressed and how effectiveness might be evaluated. 

To be or not to be considered

While the exercise is not a formal consultation, priority will be given to proposals that are realistic given the regulator’s resource limitations. Proposals falling outside the commission’s remit will be forwarded to the appropriate bodies.

Submissions linked to ongoing consultations or recent policy changes that remain under evaluation will not be reviewed, the commission said. This could include suggestions that seek to reopen broader issues from the Gambling Act Review and subsequent white paper.

Based on this clause, financial risk assessments (FRAs) will more than likely be out of bounds, despite having caused controversy over the last few months.

The regulator has yet to make a formal decision on whether to fully implement FRAs following a pilot trial last year. The measure has faced huge backlash from the sector, despite assurances that these extra player checks would be frictionless.

It recently assured operators that they would not need to request additional financial documents from players when a FRA is triggered.

In May, a coalition of cross-party MPs signed an open letter to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport urging the minister to push back against the FRAs.