Gambling Commission Calls for Stronger Local Oversight as Inspection Levels Fall
A keynote speech delivered by Gambling Commission Director of Policy Ian Angus at the Institute of Licensing’s Annual Conference has raised concerns about declining inspection activity among local authorities and urged councils to use their existing powers more consistently as the land based sector faces renewed scrutiny.
New Data Shows Stable Participation but Shifting Behaviour
Gambling Commission Director of Policy Ian Angus opened his briefing with the latest participation figures from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, a study involving around twenty thousand adults each year. The findings confirm that gambling remains a routine activity for many adults. Forty eight percent of respondents said they had taken part in at least one gambling activity in the previous four weeks.
Online play continues to outpace in person gambling. Thirty eight percent reported gambling online compared to twenty nine percent offline. Angus noted that this difference narrows considerably once lottery draws are removed from the online category. Without the National Lottery, participation stands at eighteen percent in person and sixteen percent online.
Lottery and charity draws continue to dominate consumer behaviour. Playing the National Lottery was cited by thirty one percent of respondents. Sixteen percent bought tickets for other charity lotteries and thirteen percent purchased scratchcards. Eleven percent had placed a bet in the previous month and five percent had played fruit machines or slots.
Fresh industry statistics paint a picture of a large and steady market. Gross Gambling Yield reached sixteen point eight billion pounds in the year to March 2025. Land based sectors generated four point eight billion pounds. Britain recorded more than eight thousand gambling premises, including five thousand eight hundred twenty five betting shops and one thousand four hundred fifty one Adult Gaming Centres. Despite public debate about high street expansion, the overall number of premises has again edged downward.
Commission Backs Local Enforcement but Warns Against Inaction
Angus used his appearance to reaffirm the division of responsibilities between the national regulator and local councils. He rejected suggestions that the Gambling Commission should take over local enforcement duties.
“The Gambling Commission has no interest in calls from some for us to move on to your turf and start doing your job for you,” he said. “We respect our relationship with you as co regulators.”
He stressed that the co regulatory model only functions effectively when councils remain active, visible and engaged. Local authorities play a key role in licensing oversight, information sharing and the day to day monitoring of premises.
One Third of Councils Carried Out No Inspections
While the Commission recorded a very high response rate on Licensing Authority Returns, the underlying inspection data raised concerns. Ninety four percent of authorities submitted information to the Commission for the 2024 to 2025 period. However, around one third reported zero inspections of gambling premises during those twelve months.
Inspection numbers have also declined over time. Two thousand two hundred eight inspections took place across Great Britain in 2024 to 2025. In 2019 to 2020 the figure was three thousand two hundred three including test purchasing.
Angus acknowledged the pressure local government is under and noted that operators are now required to conduct third party test purchasing. Even so, he pointed to existing Commission guidance on fee setting and regulatory responsibilities.
“Fee setting must be transparent and licensing authorities should closely track their costs and be able to evidence how they arrived at the fee levels in order to demonstrate that they have been calculated on a cost recovery basis only. Fees should be reviewed annually.“
He added that consistent use of existing powers supports the case for any future expansion of local authority authority.
Policy Work Continues on Machines, Venue Rules and Licensing
Angus also updated delegates on ongoing regulatory reform. This year’s major consultation focused on gaming machine technical standards. Proposals covered new consumer protection measures, time and spend limit tools, updated display requirements and a streamlined set of technical rules. More than one thousand responses were submitted and the Commission expects to publish outcomes in the new year.
DCMS is advancing several land based proposals including adjustments to Category D stakes and prizes, the creation of a new category of slot style non money machines and a clearer distinction between bingo premises and Adult Gaming Centres. One option under consideration would require a designated bingo area that meets a minimum floor space threshold.
The department has also reiterated its intention to identify a legislative route for cumulative impact assessments in gambling licensing. The Commission will monitor developments but noted that any change in powers rests with government.
Court Decisions Signal a Shift in Local Decision Making
Recent case law continues to influence regulatory practice. Angus referred to Sheffield City Council’s refusal of an Adult Gaming Centre licence in 2023, a decision upheld in court earlier this year. He said the case demonstrates how local authorities can apply existing law in ways that reflect current conditions even without legislative amendments.
The Commission is currently reviewing the guidance it provides to councils. Feedback submitted through a recent questionnaire will help determine the scope of any future consultation.
Regulators Prepare for a More Demanding Year Ahead
Angus closed by emphasising the importance of shared data, local visibility and strong engagement with regulatory duties. The co regulatory model, confirmed again in the 2023 White Paper, depends on both sides maintaining their roles.
“Together we can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime free,” he said, noting that cooperation between the Commission and local authorities will remain critical over the next year.
