UKGC announces tougher measures on gaming machines and illegal gambling

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced tougher action on non-compliant gaming machines and illegal gambling activity in land-based venues.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Bingo Association, acting chief executive Sarah Gardner said the regulator would strengthen enforcement while continuing to work closely with compliant operators.

The announcement comes as new figures showed bingo participation in Great Britain was higher than previously estimated, following changes to how gambling survey data is collected.

Bingo participation figures revised

The Commission said collaboration with the Bingo Association had helped improve the accuracy of gambling participation figures. This is after some operators questioned earlier estimates from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).

A revised survey question was introduced to identify more clearly where people were playing bingo. Updated data showed that 3.3% of adults in Great Britain played bingo during 2024, while 1.2% attended traditional bingo clubs.

That compared with admissions-based data from the Bingo Association, which estimated club participation at 1.0%.

Gardner said the data reinforced the importance of bingo’s social appeal, with many customers continuing to visit venues for the wider experience rather than gambling alone.

When you found differences in the numbers when it came to how many people you saw participating in bingo, compared to what we were seeing in the GSGB, you quite rightly raised concerns with us. […]  We were able to work together, develop a new question to add to the survey that looked specifically at where people were playing bingo. […] The findings illustrate the variety of places where people play bingo. In 2024, the GSGB stated 3.3 per cent of adults aged 18 and over had played bingo. Crucially though, with the data from the new question, we have found the GSGB estimates of those people playing bingo in traditional bingo clubs like the ones many of you run - 1.2 per cent - is much more closely aligned with The Bingo Association’s own estimates calculated from admissions data into those premises, which is 1 per cent. – Sarah Gardner, Acting CEO The Bingo Association

New rules for gaming machines

The Commission also confirmed new enforcement measures linked to its Gaming Machines consultation.

From 29 July 2026, non-remote gambling operators will be required to remove gaming machines immediately if the Commission determines they either lack the correct technical operating licence or fail to meet technical standards.

Gardner said the changes would help ensure non-compliant machines are removed from venues more quickly and simplify the enforcement process for the regulator.

Industry statistics released by the Commission showed total bingo gross gambling yield (GGY) reached £816 million during 2024/25, representing around 5% of the UK gambling market’s £16.8 billion total.

Land-based bingo generated £650 million of that figure, while remote bingo accounted for £166 million. Around two-thirds of land-based bingo revenue came from gaming machines rather than bingo games themselves.

Illegal gambling crackdown receives funding boost

Gardner also mentioned £26 million in government funding that will be provided to the Commission over the next three years to strengthen efforts against illegal gambling, particularly within land-based venues.

The funding will support closer cooperation with police and enforcement agencies as the regulator increases its focus on unlicensed gambling activity.

The announcement follows wider regulatory changes across the UK gambling sector, including ongoing consultations linked to the Gambling Act review and future Commission funding arrangements.

Gardner said the Commission remained committed to working with compliant operators and the Bingo Association to support what she described as “safer, fairer and crime-free gambling”.