Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller told attendees at the BGC AGM that the regulator remains dedicated to addressing the black market during a “period of change,” with a £26m boost from DCMS due this April to help pursue and prosecute criminal activity.
Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller has advocated for a pause in reforms to the UK gambling sector, as the regulator looks to let recent changes “bed in” while it pursues investigations into the illegal market with £26m funding allocated by DCMS.
Speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council AGM, Miller acknowledged the raft of sector-wide changes that have been implemented as a result of the White Paper, and expressed his support for “a period of some regulatory stability.”
“To make the greatest progress in making gambling safe, fair and crime free we need to understand what actually works in practice,” said Miller. “Getting into a position where we are on an endless treadmill of reform will not take us any further forward in figuring out what works. And like a treadmill, we will risk expending a lot of energy just to go nowhere.”
“That’s not an outcome the Commission wants. So we will complete our work to implement the Gambling Act Review. But we then think it’s important that there is some time for these changes to bed in. A period of some regulatory stability. And I think that creates some opportunities.”
One opportunity Miller focused on is “ramping up our efforts in tackling the illegal market,” addressing both supply and demand, while maintaining the appeal of the UK’s regulated sector.
“As well as protecting consumers we need to protect the regulated market that has been created here. I am clear that if we are to win the fight against the criminals that seek to exploit British consumers then we need to consider how we retain that same diversity, competitiveness and success in our domestic gambling industry in the years to come.”
“I think now is the time for that conversation. To be clear, that is not me accepting that recent regulatory changes have been one of the top drivers to the illegal market. Our research does not provide evidence for that conclusion. The regulatory reforms of the last ten or so years were necessary.”
However, acknowledging the need for innovation in the marketplace, Miller told attendees “if you have ideas, come and talk to us about them – show us your commitment to the licensing objectives and we’ll show you our commitment to supporting innovation.”
Originally published on Coinslot on March 9, 2026. Republished with permission.