meta_id 3286291

On March 30, 2026, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its government response to a consultation on Gambling Commission operating licence fee changes. The DCMS received 47 responses to its consultation, which ran from January 27, 2026 to March 30, 2026, primarily from gambling operators, suppliers, and their representatives. The consultation proposed three options: a 30 percent headline increase, a 20 percent increase, or a 20 percent increase with an additional 10 percent ringfenced for tackling illegal markets. The government will not proceed with any of these options. Instead, it will implement a 25 percent headline increase to operating licence fees through secondary legislation, effective October 1, 2026. Society lotteries will be exempt from fee increases, with fees frozen at current levels. General betting (limited) operating licences will transition from a days-of-operation basis to a gross gambling yield (GGY) approach. Under this revised methodology, 44 percent of general betting (limited) operators will receive fee reductions, and a further 53 percent will experience increases of only £22. Personal licences, supplementary operating licences, single machine permits, and application fees for licence variations and changes of corporate control will all increase by 25 percent. First annual fees will continue to be charged at 75 percent of annual fees. The Gambling Commission currently operates with annual budget deficits of approximately £4 million. Even with the 25 percent increase, it must identify efficiency savings of at least £8 million over five years. The Commission will develop its strategy to tackle illegal gambling using £26 million in additional funding confirmed by HM Treasury over three years. Detailed fee schedules for all licence types, application fees, and ancillary charges are provided in the annexes to the response document. REFERENCE: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-gambling-commission-fees/outcome/government-response-to-the-propsals-for-changes-to-gambling-commission-fees-from-1-october-2026