DCMS launches consultation on proposed changes to Gambling Commission licence fees
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has opened a new consultation on proposed changes to operating licence fees charged by the Gambling Commission.
The consultation sets out three options for potential increases to licence fees, which DCMS says are intended to reflect the current operational challenges facing the Gambling Commission as well as inflationary pressures since the last fee changes were introduced in 2021.
A key proposal across all three options is a shift in how fees are calculated. Under the new approach, fees for most licences would be based on market share and weighted by regulatory risk, rather than being calculated on Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) as at present. DCMS believes this would ensure that licence fees more closely reflect the true cost of regulation.
The three options being consulted on are:
An average 30% increase in fee levels
An average 20% increase in fee levels
An average 20% increase, with an additional 10% ringfenced specifically to support action against illegal gambling markets and to strengthen revenue protection
The consultation is open to industry stakeholders and will close at 23:59 on 29 March 2026.
Bacta has confirmed that it will be preparing a formal response ahead of the deadline and will issue guidance for members who wish to submit their own individual responses.
Further details on the proposals can be found via the DCMS consultation on changes to Gambling Commission licence fees.
28 January 2026
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