Last amended by Gambling Act Review White Paper in 2023. Government proposals for reform including a statutory levy on operators, online stake limits, enhanced age verification, and an ombudsman for gambling disputes (legislation pending).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Territorial extent: s.361(2): "The other provisions of this Act shall extend only to— (a) England and Wales, and (b) Scotland." s.361(1) separately extends s.43 and s.340 (with the related Schedule 17 entry) to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Source: legislation.gov.uk extent data (E+W+S+N.I., see s.361)
Summary
The principal statute governing gambling in England & Wales and Scotland. It established the Gambling Commission as the unified regulator, replacing a patchwork of earlier legislation. The Act regulates casinos, betting, bingo, gaming machines, lotteries, and remote (online) gambling. It is built on three licensing objectives: preventing gambling from being a source of crime, ensuring it is fair, and protecting children and vulnerable persons.
Key Points
- Established the Gambling Commission
- Three licensing objectives (crime, fairness, vulnerable persons)
- Operating licences required for all gambling operators
- Premises licences for physical gambling venues
- Remote gambling regulation for online operators
- Self-exclusion schemes (GAMSTOP)
- Establishes the Gambling Commission as the regulator with powers to grant, review, suspend, and revoke licences (Part 2)
- Three licensing objectives: preventing crime/disorder, ensuring fairness, and protecting children and vulnerable persons (s.1)
- Operating licences required for all gambling operators; personal licences for key personnel (Parts 5-6)
- Premises licences required for physical gambling venues, granted by local licensing authorities (Part 8)
- Regulates remote gambling — online operators targeting British consumers must hold a licence (as amended by Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014)
- Defines and regulates gaming machines by category (A-D) with different stake and prize limits (Part 10)
- Lotteries regulated under Part 11 — societies may run lotteries subject to registration and limits on proceeds
- Criminal offences for providing facilities for gambling without a licence (s.33), cheating at gambling (s.42), and using premises for unlicensed gambling
- Three licensing objectives: preventing gambling as a source of crime/disorder, ensuring gambling is fair and open, protecting children and vulnerable persons (s.1)
- Gambling Commission as regulator (Part 2)
- Operating licences for commercial gambling operators (Part 5)
- Personal licences for key personnel (Part 6)
- Premises licences issued by local authorities (Part 8)
- Remote gambling regulation — applies to operators serving GB customers regardless of location (Part 4)
- Offences including provision of unlicensed facilities for gambling (ss.33–36)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2014 — Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014
Required all remote gambling operators serving British consumers to hold a Gambling Commission licence.
2014 — Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014
Required all remote gambling operators serving British consumers to hold a Gambling Commission licence, regardless of location.
2023 — Gambling Act Review White Paper
Government proposals for reform including a statutory levy on operators, online stake limits, enhanced age verification, and an ombudsman for gambling disputes (legislation pending).
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a licence to operate a gambling business in the UK?
- Under the Act, a person may not provide facilities for gambling unless they hold an operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission. This requirement applies to all gambling operators. Additionally, key personnel within these operations must hold personal licences. The Commission has the power to grant, review, suspend, and revoke these licences to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Do online gambling sites need a UK licence even if they are based abroad?
- Yes, the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 amended the original legislation to require all remote gambling operators serving British consumers to hold a Gambling Commission licence. This requirement applies regardless of the operator's physical location. Consequently, online gambling platforms targeting customers in Great Britain must be licensed and regulated by the Commission to operate legally.
- What are the main objectives of gambling licensing?
- The Act defines three specific licensing objectives. First, it aims to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder. Second, it ensures that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way. Third, it focuses on protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling. These objectives guide the Gambling Commission's regulatory and enforcement activities.
- How are physical gambling venues and gaming machines regulated?
- Physical gambling venues require premises licences, which are granted by local licensing authorities rather than the Gambling Commission directly. The Act also defines and regulates gaming machines by category (A-D), with different stake and prize limits for each. Lotteries are also regulated, with societies able to run them subject to registration and limits on proceeds.