Consultation published in error proposes 30% UK gambling license fee hike

The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a consultation document in error that shows a proposed 30% increase in the gambling license fee.

The information was published on the GOV.UK site on January 27, 2026, followed by a message stating that this was a mistake and the proposal was swiftly removed.

Gambling fee hike info posted in error

“Without an uplift in October 2026, the Commission’s reserves are expected to be completely exhausted during the 2026 to 2027 financial year,” the DCMS stated starkly in the document that was pulled.

The document is now live following a turbulent morning, with the fee information titled “Proposed changes to Gambling Commission fees” available for open consultation.

Labour attacked our pubs, tourism, and hospitality with National Insurance and Business Rates hikes and now they're hitting gambling with higher license fees.

I know Labour MPs are a generally miserable lot, but what is it they've got against everyone else having a bit of fun?… pic.twitter.com/buaISjB7Qz

— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) January 28, 2026

Despite the error, the content is unaltered from the reportedly premature posting, and there is no indication that these proposals will be withdrawn.

The key facts centre on potential changes to existing gambling fee legislation and will remain open until March 29, 2026, but they foreshadow a rise in gambling licenses in the UK.

Key facts in the consultation

The proposal affects every Gambling Commission license in Great Britain, across both remote and land-based gambling sectors that are subject to the landmark 30% change.

We reported on the budgetary implications for gambling operators in Great Britain and how they were bracing for change in the November 2025 budget.

This DCMS post is now better aligned with operators’ broader gambling business concerns, and their fears could resurface following the proposals, with remote casino’s in the firing line of the changes.

There have been a whole range of gambling regulations (and now tax) making the regulated market more uncompetitive than the illegal market.
Now it proposed the regulated market operators pay to try the 'tackle' the illegal market instead of deregulation.https://t.co/giH38vgc9m pic.twitter.com/7Jge4nXNmr

— Chris Fawcett (@chrisgambler247) January 28, 2026

“Under each of the consultation options, there would be significant fee increases for remote casino licensees… where many of the Commission’s strategic commitments are principally aligned.”

The DCMS has stated in the publication that the “true cost” of UK gambling fees has not been covered as a result of rapid growth in the industry’s gross gambling yield (GGY).

“This consultation seeks views on proposals for changes to Gambling Commission fees… to determine the extent to which the Gambling Commission is able to recover its costs and exercise its functions.”

A telling part of the changes, according to the DCMS, is the cost of enforcement against illegal gambling and the delivery of Gambling Act Review reforms, which, in their view, have justified the decision to increase fees.

“These proposals would reset the income required per type of licence so that it more closely reflects the cost to the Commission of carrying out regulatory activities associated with that kind of operating licence.”

Although the content published by the DCMS is still a proposal and open until March 2026, there will no doubt be a reflex from the wider British gambling community, but the reach and the impact of the changes have not yet been calculated.

Featured image: Adobe Firefly

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