Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission is the UK government body that oversees gambling regulation across Great Britain. Established on January 1, 2007, it replaced the Gaming Board for Great Britain and took on responsibility for the National Lottery in 2013. The Commission operates as an executive non-departmental public body, answering to the government but functioning independently. Its jurisdiction covers a wide range of gambling activities: arcades, betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, slot machines, lotteries, and online gambling. Notably, spread betting falls under the Financial Conduct Authority, and free prize competitions and draws are exempt under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Commission’s mission is to regulate gambling to keep it fair and safe, and to protect consumers and the wider public from harm. It does not have a traditional CEO or founder; its leadership is composed of a Chair and Chief Executive appointed by the government. Andrew Rhodes has served as Chief Executive since 2022, overseeing day-to-day regulation. The Commission is funded by fees from gambling operators, not by generating profit.

Key regulatory functions include issuing operating licenses, setting rules via the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), conducting enforcement actions, and funding research into gambling behavior. In April 2019, it implemented a ban on gambling with credit cards and prohibited excessive ID requirements for withdrawals. Recent developments include the 2025 expansion of its Consumer Voice research model, partnering with Yonder Consulting, The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), Humankind Research, and Savanta. The Commission is also updating the Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB) to better track public sentiment. [edit]