UKGC to enforce immediate removal of non-compliant gaming machines under stricter regulations

Casino operators in the United Kingdom will face stricter enforcement obligations from the summer, as regulators move to require the full removal of non-compliant gaming machines from licensed premises following inspection failures.

The change, announced by the UK Gambling Commission, marks a departure from the existing approach under the Gambling Act 2005, which allows operators to keep defective machines on-site while remedial work is carried out ahead of a follow-up inspection.

Under the revised framework, machines identified as non-compliant will no longer be permitted to remain on the premises once regulatory concerns are raised.

From 29 July, any gaming machine found to have issues linked to its manufacture, supply, installation, adaptation, maintenance, or repair must be removed entirely if those issues fall outside the scope of a valid technical operating license or other applicable standards. The requirement applies across the land-based sector and extends to all non-remote operators.

The new condition follows a January 2025 consultation on Gaming Machine Technical Standards, which formed part of the wider effort to implement recommendations set out in the 2023 Gambling Act Review White Paper. According to the Commission, most stakeholders responding to the consultation supported the introduction of the stricter license condition.

Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the UKGC, said during the consultation process: “The White Paper sets out that a top priority is ensuring that gambling happens safely. We share this commitment and today’s consultation proposes how we could implement gaming machine changes in the land-based sector.”

He also noted the potential financial implications of reform, stating: “We recognise that regulatory changes that impact the design of machines can come with considerable costs.

While operators are already required to comply with the Gambling Act 2005 and ensure machines made available to consumers meet regulatory standards, the Commission said the new rules are intended to accelerate enforcement by removing non-compliant equipment more quickly and decisively.

This represents the first major adoption of new machine-related measures since the Department for Culture, Media and Sport opted to retain the 80/20 rule governing machine ratios in adult gaming centers and bingo venues. That rule limits higher-stakes Category B3 machines to 20 percent of a venue’s total, with the remainder required to be lower-stakes Category C or D machines.

From 22 July, UK-licensed casinos have been permitted to operate under the 80/20 ratio, subject to revised floor space and venue size requirements. However, the same reform has been paused for high-street arcades and bingo halls after policymakers expressed concern that it could lead to a greater concentration of higher-risk machines in town centers.

Adult gaming centers are expected to remain under close political scrutiny in 2026. Several lawmakers, including Labour MP Dawn Butler, have raised concerns about the accessibility of gambling on UK high streets, placing additional pressure on regulators to demonstrate effective oversight.