UKGC Opens Consultation on Stricter Gaming Machine Standards

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a 16-week consultation to introduce stricter gaming machine regulations.

The proposed reforms focus on player protection, safer gambling messaging, and transparency in spending and gameplay sessions.

These changes align with the Gambling Act Review White Paper, aiming to modernize UK gambling laws and prevent harm.

Learn how these new gaming machine standards could impact players, operators, and the future of UK gambling regulation.

UK Gambling Commission Launches Consultation on Gaming Machine Safety Standards

3 Key Points:

1. UKGC Proposes Stricter Gaming Machine Standards: The new regulations aim to enhance player safety, limit excessive losses, and improve responsible gambling measures.
2. Focus on Transparency and Safer Gambling Tools: Operators may be required to display net spending, enforce session limits, and integrate safer gambling messages.
3. Part of the Wider Gambling Reform Agenda: The consultation follows stake limits on online slots, stricter affordability checks, and bans on turbo-spin features.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a public consultation on proposed gaming machine safety standards and technical regulations, running from January 29 to May 20, 2025.

The initiative seeks to strengthen player protections by introducing new safety measures, transparency requirements, and responsible gambling features. It forms part of ongoing regulatory reforms stemming from the Gambling Act Review White Paper.

The UKGC’s proposed updates include:

• Mandatory time and monetary limit-setting to help players manage spending.
• Integration of safer gambling messaging directly into gaming machines.
• Clearer display of net position and session times to improve transparency.

In addition, the UKGC aims to streamline and consolidate existing technical standards, aligning them with remote gambling regulations for better regulatory consistency.

Balancing Consumer Protection with Industry Impact

Tim Miller, UKGC Executive Director for Research and Policy, acknowledged the potential financial burden on gambling operators but emphasized the need for effective player protection.

“We recognize that regulatory changes impacting the design of machines can come with considerable costs,” Miller said. “We encourage stakeholders to provide evidence that will help assess whether the benefits to consumers are proportionate to the costs involved.”

The UKGC has invited gambling operators, test houses, and the public to participate in the consultation, ensuring a balanced approach to implementing reforms.

Regulatory Changes Already in Motion

This consultation follows a series of gambling reforms introduced under the Gambling Act Review, including:

• Online slot stake limits to curb excessive losses.
• A statutory levy to fund gambling harm research and treatment.
• Enhanced affordability checks for high-spending players.

In January 2025, the UKGC also banned turbo and slam-shot features, which accelerate gameplay, and prohibited celebratory sounds for minimal winnings to reduce misleading encouragement.

Political Pressure for Faster Action

While the UKGC continues its measured approach, some lawmakers are pushing for swifter action.

Carolyn Harris, chair of the gambling-related harms All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), has criticized ongoing consultations, arguing that existing proposals should be enacted immediately.

“We don’t need more consultations. We need swift action and immediate implementation of the proposals,” Harris stated in April 2024.

Despite this, the UKGC insists on a thorough process to ensure well-balanced, effective, and enforceable regulations.

A Defining Moment for UK Gambling Regulation

The UKGC’s consultation on gaming machine standards marks another major step in the UK’s gambling reform journey. While operators face potential financial burdens, the regulator aims to prioritize consumer protection and responsible gaming.

With stakeholders and the public invited to weigh in, this consultation will shape the next phase of UK gambling regulations, influencing industry practices, player protections, and long-term compliance strategies.