“We want a competitive and innovative licensed market”: Tim Miller outlines next phase for UK gambling regulation at BGC AGM 2026

Speaking to industry leaders, Miller acknowledged the sector is navigating “a time of change,” referencing the Budget, the review of Commission fees and the ongoing implementation of reforms stemming from the Gambling Act 2005 review. Despite uncertainty, he stressed continuity in regulatory direction.

“Our work continues: our commitment to making gambling safer, fairer and crime free continues and so does our aspiration to collaborate with everyone who shares those goals,” he said.

Leadership transition and regulatory stability

Miller confirmed that Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes will step down on 30 April, thanking him for “excellent leadership” over nearly five years. He sought to reassure operators that the Commission’s strategic approach will remain intact.

“Whilst Andrew will be leaving, myself, Sarah Gardner and the Commission more widely remain committed to the approach he instilled,” he noted, underlining that early compliance and constructive engagement with industry remain priorities.

At the same time, Miller pointed to what he described as an improving compliance landscape. While casework remains high and complex, the period of weekly multi-million-pound penalties “does appear to be behind us,” creating space for more forward-looking conversations between regulator and operators.

Illegal market: enforcement and shared responsibility

A central theme of the speech was the fight against illegal gambling. Miller welcomed the additional £26 million in Treasury funding over three years as “a vote of confidence” in the Commission’s work, but stressed that enforcement alone will not solve the problem.

“As I said at ICE last month, there is more that others outside the industry need to do as well – social media firms, big tech and affiliates need to make a concerted effort,” he stated.

He highlighted early progress within the Government’s Illegal Gambling Taskforce and revealed that he has met with Meta, which committed to further cooperation, particularly regarding “not on gamstop” sites. According to Miller, time is of the essence in limiting illegal operators’ reach.

Beyond enforcement, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong regulated offer to prevent channel shift. Britain, he said, has built “one of the most diverse, competitive and successful gambling markets in the world,” combining high channelisation with robust regulation.

“As well as protecting consumers we need to protect the regulated market that has been created here,” Miller affirmed.

Fees review and proportional funding

Addressing the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation on Commission fees, Miller acknowledged concerns over timing but noted that fees have not been reviewed in five years despite growing operational complexity.

If approved, the proposed uplift would increase the Commission’s income (excluding the National Lottery) from 0.21% to 0.28% of total industry GGY. The additional funding would help sustain core regulatory functions while expanding efforts against illegal gambling.

Without the increase, Miller warned, the Commission may need to “scale back, slow down or stop” certain activities, as it lacks the statutory power to set its own fees.

Innovation as a consumer protection tool

Significantly, Miller framed innovation as compatible with strong regulation — and even as a defensive tool against the illegal market.

“It has to be possible to take robust enforcement action for regulatory breaches and still make space to support and even encourage consumer-focused innovation,” he said.

He cited the introduction of physical sportsbooks within casinos as an example of reform that enhanced consumer appeal without materially increasing risk, referencing his visit to Paddy’s Sports Book at the Hippodrome.

Looking ahead, Miller signaled openness to exploring cryptoassets as a potential payment method in licensed gambling, following the Government’s December 2025 move to bring cryptoassets under the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority through new regulations under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 framework.

“Our illegal markets research gives us evidence that crypto is one of the two biggest searches that lead British gamblers to illegal sites,” he revealed. While acknowledging significant risks and challenges, he said the Commission intends to approach the topic “in the spirit of exploring the art of the possible.”

A collaborative path forward

As the implementation phase of the Gambling Act Review nears completion, Miller advocated for a period of regulatory stability to allow reforms to bed in and be properly evaluated.

“We want a competitive and innovative licensed market that keeps customers within a safe, fair and well regulated environment and out of the clutches of the scammers and criminals of the illegal market,” he concluded.

The message from the AGM was clear: strong enforcement, smarter collaboration and carefully managed innovation will define the next chapter of UK gambling regulation.