New Guidelines Set for October 2025
The Gambling Commission has announced plans to overhaul how it calculates and imposes financial penalties on gambling operators. It aims for greater transparency and a clearer penalty process.
Following several consultations since 2023, the regulator will implement the changes to its Statement of Principles for Determining Financial Penalties (SoPfDFP) on 10 October 2025.
Seven-Step Process Introduced
John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, explained:
“The resulting changes will strengthen our decision-making and streamline the calculation of penalties – helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our enforcement work.”
The revamped framework introduces a seven-step process for assessing and imposing fines. It also clarifies a five-tier system to classify the seriousness of breaches, ensuring consistency across enforcement actions.
Linking Penalties to GGY
Under the new system, penalty starting points will be determined using both the severity rating. They will also use a percentage of an operator’s Gross Gambling Yield (GGY).
However, society lotteries and external lottery managers are exempt from using GGY in fine calculations. The Commission will instead rely on defined aggravating and mitigating factors to adjust penalty amounts appropriately.
Industry Feedback Shapes Changes
The consultation received responses from 29 industry stakeholders, with 21 agreeing to be named in the final report. While opinions varied, the majority supported clearer guidelines and proportional enforcement measures.
Pierce noted:
“Crucially, the new approach also encourages compliance at the earliest opportunity. It supports the protection of consumers alongside fair and proportionate outcomes for operators.”
