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The UK Gambling Commission is set to tighten rules on non-compliant gaming machines and step up enforcement against illegal land-based gambling, as the regulator seeks stronger oversight of the sector amid ongoing gambling reforms.
Speaking at the Bingo Association’s annual general meeting on May 7, Acting Chief Executive Sarah Gardner outlined that the regulator will continue balancing collaboration with licensed operators alongside tougher enforcement measures.
“We know what we can achieve through our powers, but we know that we can achieve a whole lot more for our objectives by working with those in industry who are willing to work with us,” Gardner said.
The Commission announced that from July 29, 2026, non-remote operators would be required to immediately remove gaming machines if informed by the regulator that the machines lacked the necessary technical operating licence or failed to meet required technical standards.
The measures are intended to “streamline processes and ensure non-compliant machines are swiftly removed from premises”. Gardner added that the Commission will publish its full response to the ongoing Gaming Machines consultation “this summer”.
The announcement also comes as the UK government considers further measures linked to its review of the Gambling Act and consultations on the Commission’s funding structure and fees.
The regulator also highlighted new government funding of 26 million pounds ($35.1 million) over three years to strengthen efforts against illegal gambling, particularly in land-based venues. Separately, the government allocated 25.4 million pounds to gambling-harm prevention organisations.
“This funding will allow us to invest, arguably for the first time in a serious way, in addressing land-based illegal gambling,” Gardner said, adding that cooperation with police and other law enforcement agencies would remain important.
The Commission also released updated figures on bingo participation and industry revenue, following collaboration with the Bingo Association to improve the accuracy of gambling participation data.
New data showed that 3.3% of adults in Great Britain played bingo in 2024, including 1.2% who participated in traditional bingo clubs. The figures were closer to the Bingo Association’s admissions-based estimate of 1.0% after the introduction of a revised survey question aimed at better identifying where bingo is played.
Gardner highlighted the findings reinforced “the social nature of bingo” as a key reason for in-person participation.
Industry statistics showed bingo Gross Gambling Yield totalled 816 million pounds in 2024/25, representing about 5% of the UK gambling industry’s overall 16.8 billion pounds in Gross Gambling Yield.
Land-based bingo contributed 650 million pounds, while remote bingo generated 166 million pounds. Around two-thirds of land-based bingo revenue came from gaming machines, with bingo games accounting for 35%.
Gardner also praised outgoing Bingo Association Chief Executive Miles Baron for his engagement with the regulator over the past decade and welcomed incoming Chief Executive Nicole Garrett, who pledged to “continue to build that collaborative relationship”.
The Commission said it remained committed to working with compliant operators and industry bodies to support “safer, fairer and crime-free gambling.”