The UK Gambling Commission has outlined new regulatory priorities affecting the bingo industry, including tighter oversight of gaming machines, additional action against illegal gambling, and updated findings on bingo participation across Great Britain.
Acting chief executive Sarah Gardner presented the update during the Bingo Association Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2026. Her speech focused on regulatory cooperation with the sector, upcoming compliance measures, and the role of improved data collection in shaping gambling policy.
Gardner also used the event to thank outgoing Bingo Association chief executive Miles Baron for his work with the regulator over recent years. She credited him with maintaining a collaborative relationship with both government and the Commission, particularly during the pandemic and industry consultations.
Speaking about cooperation between regulators and operators, Gardner said: “We know what we can achieve through our powers, but we know that we can achieve a whole lot more for our objectives by working with those in industry who are willing to work with us.”
She added that collaboration had helped improve outcomes for consumers by supporting “safer, fairer and crime free gambling.”
Updated Bingo Data Narrows Participation Gap
One of the main areas discussed involved revised gambling participation data linked to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). Industry operators had previously questioned whether the survey accurately reflected bingo participation levels, particularly in land-based clubs.
In response, the Commission worked with the Bingo Association to introduce an additional survey question designed to identify more precisely where participants played bingo.
The revised figures showed that 3.3% of adults aged 18 and over played bingo during 2024. Of those, 1.2% participated in traditional bingo clubs, closely matching the Bingo Association’s own admissions-based estimate of 1%.
Gardner said the updated survey question would remain in place as the Commission gathers a larger sample size. She also highlighted that the data reinforced “the social nature of bingo” as a major factor behind in-person participation.
The Commission stated that the bingo sector generated £816 million in Gross Gambling Yield during 2024/25. Land-based bingo contributed £650 million, while remote bingo activity produced £166 million.
New Machine Rules Begin In July
Gardner also provided an update on the Gambling Commission’s Gaming Machines consultation. She confirmed that from 29 July 2026, non-remote operators must immediately remove gaming machines if the Commission determines that they fail to comply with technical standards or licensing requirements.
The regulator said the change is intended to “streamline processes and ensure non-compliant machines are swiftly removed from premises.”
Further responses connected to the consultation are expected later this summer.
Illegal Gambling Enforcement Receives Funding Boost
The Commission also plans to expand enforcement activity targeting illegal gambling operations. Gardner confirmed that the regulator will receive £26 million in additional government funding over the next three years to strengthen enforcement work, particularly in land-based environments.
“This funding will allow us to invest, arguably for the first time in a serious way, in addressing land-based illegal gambling,” she said.
Source:
“Bingo Association AGM – Sarah Gardner speech”, gamblingcommission.gov.uk, May 8, 2026
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