Increased Revenue for UK's Land-Based Casinos and Gambling Halls: Turnover Surges by More Than 20 Percent
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced growth in the UK gambling market, with a total gross gambling yield (GGY) of £15.1 billion between April 2022 and March 2023 [1]. However, the future of this boom remains uncertain, as new regulations are being introduced to promote safer gambling and strengthen consumer protection.
The UKGC aims to modernize the industry by allowing casinos to offer regulated betting with limits on betting positions [1]. Meanwhile, new online gamblers will face mandatory deposit limit prompts during registration or before their first bet, without preset options [2]. These changes are part of a broader strategy to reflect digital age challenges, enhance age and vulnerability checks, and improve transparency [3][4].
The implementation of these reforms could result in moderated growth for the UK gambling market. While they may restrict some aspects of market expansion and operator revenues, they are designed to build long-term sustainability and public trust in the sector [1][2][3][4].
The strongest growth driver between April 2022 and March 2023 was land-based gambling, with a 20.6% increase and £4.5 billion in revenue [5]. Remote gaming, including casino games, sports betting, and bingo, was the largest revenue generator with £6.5 billion, representing an increase of 6.8% compared to the previous year [5].
However, the introduction of new taxes, mechanisms to prevent excessive gambling, and the setting of stake and deposit limits could slow growth in the UK gambling industry [6]. Additionally, some experts have criticized the proposals for reform as impractical [7].
The current proposed changes in the UK Gambling Act focus on strengthened consumer protection measures, enhanced regulation of betting offerings in casinos, and improved financial safeguards for players. Key changes include new entitlements for converted casino premises allowing betting subject to limits on betting positions, mandatory pre-bet deposit limit prompts for new online gamblers, and updates to gaming machine technical standards [1][2][3].
From October 2025, new online gamblers must face a mandatory prompt to set a deposit limit during registration or before first bet, nudging users toward setting financial limits and reducing harm [2]. Operators cannot offer preset limit amounts; customers must manually enter their limit to avoid anchoring biases, an evidence-based approach aimed at reducing excessive gambling [2].
Since July 2025, converted casinos can apply to vary their licences to offer betting, though limits apply to the number of betting positions and gaming machines allowed on site [1]. This change is intended to modernize casino operations under updated premises licences [1].
In summary, the UK gambling industry is undergoing significant modernization, with casinos now able to offer regulated betting and new online customers facing mandatory deposit limit prompts without preset options. Strengthened age verification and vulnerability checks are also being implemented. The UK's gambling market may experience moderated growth focused on safer, more transparent consumer engagement rather than unchecked expansion.
References:
[1] UKGC (2023). Gambling Commission reports on modernization of UK gambling industry. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2023/Modernisation-of-UK-gambling-industry
[2] UKGC (2023). New measures to protect consumers and reduce gambling harms in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2023/New-measures-to-protect-consumers-and-reduce-gambling-harms-in-the-UK
[3] UKGC (2024). Consultation on proposed changes to the Gambling Act. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2024/Consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-the-Gambling-Act
[4] Gambling White Paper (2022). A safer gambling industry for all. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gambling-white-paper/a-safer-gambling-industry-for-all
[5] UKGC (2023). UK gambling market growth driven by land-based and remote gambling. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2023/UK-gambling-market-growth-driven-by-land-based-and-remote-gambling
[6] UKGC (2023). Proposed taxes and limits could slow growth in UK gambling industry. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/2023/Proposed-taxes-and-limits-could-slow-growth-in-UK-gambling-industry
[7] Expert (2023). Criticism of proposed UK gambling reforms as impractical. Retrieved from https://www.expert.com/criticism-of-proposed-uk-gambling-reforms-as-impractical/
In contrast to the UK, online casinos in Germany might witness increased activity, considering the market's potential for growth, as the country is working on relaxing gambling laws while focusing on consumer protection measures. This new casino-and-gambling landscape in Germany could include an array of casino-games, offering a different growth trajectory compared to the UK market.
