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UK to increase gambling license fees by 25% in October 2026
The UK’s Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed that gambling license fees will increase by 25% starting from October 1, 2026.
After conducting a consultation from January 2026 to March 2026, the department published a reviewed fee structure that would align with the Gambling Commission’s regulatory responsibilities. At the same time, the government has rejected operators’ requests to implement a phased introduction, meaning that the fee raises will immediately take effect in full.
The DCMS shared in its response:
“Fees for personal licences, variations and changes of corporate control will increase by 25% in line with the headline level of increase (as proposed in the consultation). Fees for supplementary operating licences and single machine permits will also increase by 25%. First annual fees will continue to be charged at 75% of the annual fees.”
Initially, the government was considering 3 options for the fee changes, including a 30% rise, a 20% rise, or a 20% plus an additional 10% rise for illegal gambling and revenue protection.
According to the government’s decision, the license fees for society lotteries will be frozen, while general betting operating licenses will change to a structure based on gross gambling yield, replacing the days-of-operation system.
In addition to the license fee hikes, it was also revealed that the Gambling Commission would receive £26 million from the Treasury to allocate towards enforcement action against the illegal gambling market.
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