The UK has announced that a new Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) will review the nation’s gambling legislation, identify problematic areas, and propose new reforms. These efforts could even culminate in a new Gambling Act, marking another major overhaul of the UK’s gambling regulations. Many industry stakeholders hope that these changes will resolve some of their concerns.
Horse Racing Could Get a Much-Needed Boost
According to a recent report by The Guardian, Jagjit Chadha OBE, a professor of economics at the University of Cambridge, will chair the GPC. The commission plans to start by collecting feedback from industry stakeholders, public health professionals, and other interested parties. After the submission process ends on 12 February 2027, the commission will compile its findings and release its recommendations before the next UK general election.
“We want to hear from people and organisations with experience, evidence and expertise across all sides of this debate.”
Jagjit Chadha OBE, Gambling Policy Commission chair
This initiative could be good news for the UK horse racing sector, which has faced significant challenges after lawmakers refused to change the controversial Horserace Betting Levy. Stakeholders have described the current 10% levy as unsustainable, arguing that betting proceeds fall short of rising operational costs. Regulatory measures such as affordability checks on gamblers also threaten to push bettors toward offshore alternatives.
Horse racing will be among the GPC’s priorities as it considers whether to grant the sector a special status. Key changes may center on the statutory betting levy and media rights linked to betting turnover. Key members of the commission include Plumpton Racecourse director Tom Savill and economist Dr James Reade, two figures deeply familiar with the racing sector’s challenges.
Broader Reforms Will Center on Emerging Challenges
Chadha noted that the GPC had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, as the last comprehensive review of the UK’s gambling sector was more than 20 years old. He noted that the current Gambling Act 2005 failed to account for the significant changes in technology and the broader market. Recent developments such as online gambling, prediction markets, and cryptocurrency require a modern approach.
Chadha remains hopeful that the GPC’s efforts will lead to meaningful change. He highlighted the 2001 review, which produced 176 recommendations. Most of these were included in the 2005 gambling framework. While the GPC now faces a significantly tighter schedule, it also has access to enhanced data-gathering tools, which should speed up the process.
The GPC review comes amid rising tension in the UK gambling sector as stakeholders push back against unpopular measures. The latest controversy followed lawmakers raising the Machine Gaming duty from 20% to 25% to help finance the 2026 UK budget. As a result, stakeholders were forced to cut costs. For example, Betfred cut its sponsorship of all five British Classics and closed hundreds of betting shops.
The UK has announced that a new Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) will review the nation’s gambling legislation, identify problematic areas, and propose new reforms. These efforts could even culminate in a new Gambling Act, marking another major overhaul of the UK’s gambling regulations. Many industry stakeholders hope that these changes will resolve some of their