UKGC Cracking Down on Gaming Machines and Unlawful Gambling

by James Gibson, 14 May 2026

The UKGC intends to introduce stricter regulation for both gaming machines and illegal gambling.

Gaming machines and illegal gambling targeted by the UKGC. © Bru-nO Howe, Pixabay

Key Facts:

• The UKGC plans to introduce new regulations to deal with gaming machines
• The organisation also wants to tackle illegal gambling through tougher rules
• Its recent work in the bingo sector has produced positive results

At the annual general meeting of the Bingo Association on 7 May, Sarah Gardner, the Chief Executive of the UKGC, spoke about its upcoming plans. The organisation intends to target illegal gambling and non-compliant gaming machines.

She said the following:

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– Sarah Gardner, UKGC Chief Executive Comments on Tougher Regulation, iGaming Business

The UKGC is planning to strengthen its enforcement against illegal gambling at land-based casinos and other similar businesses. It also wants to create stricter regulation for the gaming machines found at these venues.

Its approach is designed to maintain the partnerships the UKGC has with operators, while at the same time acting tough on both enforcement and compliance whenever necessary. Recent work with the bingo sector has produced encouraging results.

A key result was resolving several issues to do with UK gambling statistics. While speaking at the event, Gardner welcomed the new Bingo Association Chief Executive, Nicole Garrett, and spoke positively about her predecessor, Miles Baron.

An Increase in Bingo Players

Thanks to the collaboration between the UKGC and the bingo sector, data on bingo participation has become much more accurate. Previously, some operators weren’t sure about player number estimates provided by the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).

A new survey question developed by both the UKGC and the Bingo Association was introduced. The aim of this question was to pinpoint with greater accuracy where people play bingo.

The result was that the gap between the GSGB’s estimates and the Bingo Association’s admissions data was narrowed. According to newly updated figures, 3.3% of UK adults played bingo in 2024.

The GSGB had found that 1.2% of adults had played bingo in a traditional hall. The corresponding figure from the Bingo Association was 1%; again, this figure was derived from venues’ admissions data.

It’s expected that the new question will remain a part of the survey going forward. This is to ensure that figures remain accurate, even if the number of survey participants grows.

As Gardner pointed out, playing bingo in a traditional hall remains a popular activity because of its social nature. The experience of going out to play bingo with friends is as much of a draw as the game itself.

The Potential Removal of Gaming Machines

According to the UKGC’s Industry Statistics for 2024/25, the gross gambling yield (GGY) from bingo was £816 million. This was approximately 5% of the UK’s total gambling yield of £16.8 billion.

Land-based bingo contributed around £650 million, while remote bingo generated £166 million in revenue. Of the money derived from land-based gaming, bingo only accounted for 35%. The remaining 65% came from gaming machines.

It’s been announced that, from 29 July 2026, land-based operators must remove gaming machines immediately if ordered by the UKGC. Reasons for removal requests include failure to meet technical standards and lack of the necessary licence.

This new measure aims to ensure players can’t access gaming machines that aren’t compliant with the UKGC’s requirements. Gardner mentioned that a more detailed outline from the UKGC is to be published in the summer.

Dealing with Illegal Gambling

The UKGC has received £26 million in government funding to tackle illegal gambling across the next three years. The organisation is particularly keen to focus on land-based venues and to prevent people from gambling illegally there.

Gardner said that the funding will allow the UKGC to seriously address the issue of illegal gambling in land-based venues. She also said that working alongside the police and other law enforcement agencies is essential.

She emphasised the need for the UKGC to work closely with the Bingo Association and licensed operators. The goal is for gambling to be a safe, fair, and crime-free activity.

Once ministers have decided on fees, the UKGC will publish further details of its plans. Also expected in the near future are responses from the government on the UKGC’s fees and funding, as well as on the Gambling Act review.