Gambling Commission announce stronger approach to operator fines

The changes follow a consultation and will come into force in October this year

This week the Gambling Commission has announced it is to strengthen its approach to calculating and imposing financial penalties on operators who breach their licence.

The changes, which will be brought in through an update of the Gambling Commission’s ‘Statement of principles for determining financial penalties’, will include;

1. An outline of a seven step process the Commission will follow when assessing and imposing a financial penalty;
2. Greater transparency on exactly how the seriousness of the breach will be determined;
3. An introduction of five levels of seriousness of breaches;
4. Determination of the starting point for the penal element of the penalty with reference to the seriousness and the GGY or relevant income;
5. Adjustments for aggravating and mitigating factors, deterrence, and early resolution;
6. Include a defined methodology for situations of multiple breaches

The changes come after a consultation initially announced in December 2023 and will come into force on 10^th October 2025.

A full summary of the Commissions consultation response can be seen here (2023 Consultation on proposed changes related to financial penalties: Consultation Response – Executive summary)

For further information on this or any other licensing issues, please contact licensing solicitor, Felix Faulkner on  f.faulkner@popall.co.uk or call 07495 497199.