The UK government has confirmed changes to Gambling Commission fees following a public consultation. The new fee structure will take effect from 1 October 2026, subject to secondary legislation. The changes are intended to ensure the regulator can recover its costs and continue delivering its regulatory responsibilities.

• The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) received 47 consultation responses between January and March 2026, mainly from gambling operators and industry bodies. After reviewing the feedback, the government decided to proceed with its preferred option. This introduces revised Gambling Commission fees from 1 October 2026.
• The adopted model includes an overall 20% increase in operating licence fees together with an additional 10% increase that is ringfenced for work against illegal gambling and protecting licensed operators from criminal activity. The government said this approach provides additional resources while targeting enforcement priorities. The percentage increases will not apply equally across every licence type.
• Fee changes will vary depending on licence category, market share and regulatory risk. Some licence types, including General Betting Limited, External Lottery Managers and Society Lotteries, will receive more straightforward percentage increases. Application fees, first-year annual fees and personal licence fees will also increase under the revised structure.
• The government said the Gambling Commission’s responsibilities have expanded in recent years through Gambling Act review reforms, stronger compliance work, data capabilities and action against illegal gambling. According to the consultation, existing fee income is no longer sufficient to recover these costs. Without higher fees, the Commission’s financial reserves were forecast to be exhausted during the 2026/27 financial year.
• The consultation also considered future changes to the fee-setting process. The government continues to support giving the Gambling Commission greater flexibility to set its own fees in the future, although this would require primary legislation. Until then, changes will continue to be introduced through secondary legislation.
• Culture Minister Baroness Twycross said: “These changes will ensure the Gambling Commission has the resources it needs to continue to regulate the gambling sector effectively while tackling illegal gambling and protecting consumers.” The updated fee structure is scheduled to come into force on 1 October 2026.

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