Ian Angus, Director of Policy at the UK’s Gambling Commission, has expressed confidence that proposed changes granting local authorities greater control over gambling licensing will become law.
In a speech delivered this week at the Institute of Licensing Gambling Conference, Angus addressed amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill passed by the House of Lords last month. If approved by the House of Commons, the legislation would amend the 2005 Gambling Act to introduce Gambling Impact Assessments, or GIAs.
These assessments would enable councils to evaluate potential gambling harm and community impact before approving new betting or gaming venues. The change represents a clear departure from the longstanding ‘Aim to Permit’ presumption.
“Government has of course committed to exploring how to give local authorities the power to carry out gambling impact assessments when looking at licensing decisions in your communities,” Angus said.
He added that both this measure and recommendations from the Gambling Act review to tackle illegal online gambling are advancing through Parliament. The Commission anticipates both will make it into law.
Shift from National Policy to Local Evidence
The introduction of GIAs would mark a structural shift in how licensing decisions are made. Local authorities could rely on community-specific data rather than a default national posture favoring permission.
This development aligns with growing frustration among councillors and MPs toward the gambling industry. Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East in London, has been vocal in calling for reversal of the Aim to Permit approach. Her position has drawn support from fellow Labour politicians, including Alex Ballinger and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed Butler’s concerns in September last year, committing to give councils stronger powers over the location and numbers of gambling outlets. The current bill delivers on that pledge.
Angus confirmed the Commission will collaborate with the Department for Media, Culture and Sport to produce guidance once the bill completes its passage. The guidance will emphasize robust evidence, meaningful consultation with communities, operators, and stakeholders before any GIA is implemented.
£26m Boost to Tackle Illegal Gambling
The Gambling Commission is receiving an additional £26m in funding over the next three years, generated from the new gambling tax regime that took effect on 1 April 2026. This allocation is dedicated exclusively to combating illegal gambling.
“We are pleased that the effectiveness of our work to tackle illegal gambling has been recognised by the Treasury in this way and this funding will certainly allow us to upscale our activity,” Angus said.
He highlighted that the resources will enable greater focus on land-based illegal gambling, an area where the Commission has previously been constrained. Cooperation with local authorities and police will remain essential.
This funding arrives amid broader scrutiny of the industry following the Gambling Act review from 2020-2023, subsequent implementation of recommendations, and last year’s tax discussions. Concerns about impacts on economically deprived communities, voiced by figures such as Hannah Spencer, the new Green Party MP for Manchester’s Gorton and Denton constituency, remain prominent.
Expected Premises Closures and Tax Burden
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the revised tax regime in the November Budget. Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, with bingo duty abolished. General Betting Duty will rise from 15% to 25% from April 2027, excluding certain categories including retail betting.
HM Treasury projects this will generate an additional £1bn a year by 2029/30. For the Commission, it translates directly into the £26m outlined above.
For operators, the increases represent a significant burden. Major PLCs including Flutter Entertainment, Entain, and evoke responded by announcing cuts to marketing budgets. Retail betting, already in gradual decline, faces further pressure.
Angus stated the Commission is “now expecting to see a number of gambling premises close.” He noted that the regulator’s returns data “may well tell the story of these closures over the coming year or so.”
Risks, Counterarguments, and Implementation Challenges
While the move toward local evidence-based licensing has support among many MPs and councillors, risks exist. Over-reliance on subjective community sentiment could lead to inconsistent application across authorities. Operators may face unpredictable hurdles when seeking to open or relocate venues, potentially accelerating the shift toward online channels or, in some cases, unregulated options.
The industry has repeatedly pointed to the black market as a consequence of tighter rules and higher taxes. Some MPs have questioned the scale of that market. Nevertheless, both the Department for Media, Culture and Sport and the Gambling Commission have taken the concern seriously, establishing task forces and consulting on measures such as banning unlicensed firms from sports sponsorship.
Successful implementation of GIAs will depend on the quality of guidance issued by the Commission and DCMS. Without clear standards for evidence and consultation, the tool could become a vehicle for arbitrary refusals rather than informed decision-making. Collaboration between regulators, operators, and communities will be critical to avoid unintended consequences.
The Bottom Line
The impending arrival of Gambling Impact Assessments signals a defining moment in the balance between national policy and local control in UK gambling regulation. As local councils gain tools to assess real community impacts, the industry faces both heightened accountability and the opportunity to demonstrate responsible practices through evidence-based dialogue. With additional resources directed at illegal markets and expected premises closures on the horizon, operators must adapt strategically while the Commission works to translate legislative change into practical, consistent guidance. This inflection point demands disciplined engagement from all stakeholders to ensure regulation strengthens integrity without simply displacing activity into less accountable channels.
