Why is the UK Gambling Commission facing criticism?

Sami Kurvinen

Last updated: 22 September 2026

4 minutes

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has found itself under growing pressure in recent months, with politicians, gambling businesses and the horse racing industry all questioning some of its recent decisions.

At the heart of the debate is a simple question: Is the Commission making important policy decisions without enough evidence or consultation?

MPs Want More Answers

One group asking questions is Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee. MPs have been looking into the Commission’s new financial risk checks, which are designed to identify people who may be spending more than they can afford on gambling.

The aim of these checks is to help reduce gambling-related harm. However, some MPs have questioned why the Commission began rolling out the measures before publishing all of the evidence from its pilot programme.

They want to better understand what research the Commission relied on, how the decisions were made and whether everyone affected by the changes had a chance to share their views.

Horse Racing Says It Wasn’t Heard

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has also been highly critical of the regulator.

The organisation believes the new financial risk checks could make betting on horse racing less straightforward, potentially putting some customers off. It has also claimed the Gambling Commission didn’t properly engage with the racing industry before introducing the changes.

The Commission disagrees with those claims, saying it has worked closely with racing throughout the reform process. Even so, the public disagreement has highlighted the growing tension between the regulator and one of the UK’s biggest betting sectors.

Gambling Companies Are Also Concerned

Many gambling operators agree that protecting vulnerable customers is important. However, some believe the Commission has moved too quickly with certain reforms.

Their main concern isn’t necessarily the new rules themselves. Instead, they want clearer evidence showing why the changes are needed and more opportunities to discuss how they should be introduced in practice.

Many in the industry say better communication between the regulator and businesses would help make future reforms smoother and more effective.

Is the Commission Going Beyond Its Role?

Some critics believe the debate goes beyond financial risk checks.

They argue that the Gambling Commission is becoming more involved in shaping gambling policy, rather than simply enforcing the laws set by Parliament.

Supporters of the Commission see things differently. They say it’s the regulator’s job to turn government policy into practical rules and ensure those rules protect consumers.

The discussion has become more noticeable as the government continues introducing major gambling reforms following its Gambling Act review.

A Challenging Time for the Regulator

The criticism comes during a period of change for the Gambling Commission itself.

The organisation has recently seen several senior leaders leave, including former Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes. It is also continuing to roll out some of the biggest changes to gambling regulation in years.

The recent arrival of Sarah Fox, a senior civil servant who helped develop the government’s gambling reforms, has attracted attention because of her experience. While some have wondered whether her move signals closer government involvement, there is currently no evidence to suggest that is the case.

What’s Next?

The Gambling Commission still has an important job: protecting consumers while making sure gambling is fair and well regulated.

However, many of the organisations it works with are calling for more transparency about how decisions are made, stronger evidence to support new policies and better communication before major changes are introduced.

How the Commission responds to those concerns could play a big role in rebuilding trust with both the gambling industry and Parliament as the latest reforms continue to take effect.