UK to Increase Gambling Commission Licence Fees by 25%
The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed a 25% increase in most Gambling Commission licence and application fees. The new charges will take effect on 1 October 2026.
The decision follows a public consultation held between 27 January and 30 March, which received 47 responses from operators, suppliers and other industry representatives. The government had initially considered increases of 20% or 30%, as well as a model that included an additional charge to fund action against the illegal gambling market.
DCMS ultimately approved a standard 25% rise covering operating licence fees, application fees, personal licences, corporate control changes and other regulatory procedures. However, society lottery fees will remain frozen to protect the amount of money available for good causes.
The fee structure for on-course bookmakers will also change. Instead of being based on the number of operating days, charges will be calculated according to market share and gross gambling yield. DCMS estimates that 44% of operators in this category will pay less, while most of the remaining companies will face only modest increases.
Bethan Lloyd, senior associate at Wiggin LLP, said:
The additional fees will be painful, but this will not be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for the industry.
The Gambling Commission currently has an annual budget shortfall of around £4 million. Even after the fee increase, the regulator will still need to deliver approximately £8 million in efficiency savings over the next five years.
