DCMS Confirms 25% Overall Rise in Gambling Commission Licence Fees

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published its response to a consultation on the funding of the Gambling Commission, confirming that licence fees will rise by an average of 25 percent. The changes, which are scheduled to take effect from 1 October 2026, follow a review of the regulator's fee structure that was a stated commitment in the 2023 White Paper on gambling reform.

The consultation, which took place between January and March of this year, sought industry input on proposals to ensure the Commission is adequately funded to meet its expanding regulatory duties. The government's response outlines a new fee system that will see the introduction of new categories for the majority of licence types, meaning the precise impact of the increase will vary between operators.

Varied Impact Across Licence Types

While the headline figure is a 25 percent overall increase, the DCMS has detailed several specific adjustments and exceptions. Notably, fees for society lotteries will be frozen and held at their current levels, shielding that sector from the rise. In contrast, fees for all personal licences are set for a straightforward, flat increase of 25 percent.

Furthermore, a new system for calculating fees will be implemented for holders of non-remote general betting limited licences. The government's response indicates that the introduction of new fee bands for most other operating licences is intended to better align the fees paid by companies with the regulatory effort they require.

Implementation and Legislative Hurdles

The implementation of the new fee structure is planned for 1 October 2026. A key detail for operators is that their placement within the new fee categories will be determined by the data submitted in their regulatory returns for the 2025 to 2026 financial period. This provides a clear timeframe for businesses to understand how their revenue will affect their future licensing costs.

The entire package of fee changes remains subject to the successful passage of secondary legislation through Parliament. The government will need to lay a statutory instrument to formally amend the fee regulations before the new structure can be legally enforced. The conclusion of the consultation marks a significant step in the post-White Paper reform process, directly addressing the resources required by the regulator to oversee a changing industry.