Key Moments:
- Tim Miller highlighted that fewer than 50% of British local authorities conducted required slot machine inspections after collecting licensing fees.
- The UK Gambling Commission reported issuing 344 cease and desist orders since April 2025, while tackling over 45,000 unlicensed gambling URLs and 235 illegal gambling websites.
- Miller revealed slot revenues increased following the implementation of the £5 stake limit, contradicting industry predictions of widespread losses.
Inspections Largely Overlooked by Councils
The executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, Tim Miller, recently brought attention to a widespread lapse among local British councils at the Gambling Reform Summit. According to Miller, less than half of local authorities actually perform the slot machine inspections that their licensing fees are intended to fund, despite an explicit legal obligation to do so.
Miller described the struggles of his Birmingham-based regulatory team, which actively combats illegal gambling activity, while many councils continue to collect oversight fees without following through on inspections. Since April alone, the Gambling Commission has issued 344 cease and desist orders, flagged over 45,000 unlicensed gambling websites to search engines, and disrupted 235 illegal gambling operations.
The Escalating Oversight Crisis
Several key issues have emerged from this lack of oversight:
- Half of local authorities retain fees but forgo gambling premises inspections
- Adult Gaming Centres continue operations without consistent council supervision
- The national Gambling Commission is compelled to compensate for local shortfalls
- High street gambling venues are able to avoid proper monitoring
| Inspection Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Licensing Fees Retained | Councils collect regulatory fees but do not conduct required site visits |
| Regulatory Gaps | The Gambling Commission assumes responsibilities meant for local authorities |
| Lack of Local Accountability | Public complaints are deflected from councils to the national regulator |
Systemic Failures Highlighted
The intended regulatory structure requires local authorities to grant gambling licenses, collect associated regulatory fees, and use these funds to support regular inspections of Adult Gaming Centres. This system, however, is not operating as designed. Instead, Miller pointed out that councils have largely failed to uphold their responsibilities:
“We value our relationship with local authorities as our co-regulators,” Miller explained. “But it can not be the role of the national regulator to fill any gaps left in local regulation when less than half of licensing authorities are conducting any premises inspections, that the licensing fee funds them to perform.”
When gambling establishments draw complaints or run into trouble, the burden for resolution typically shifts to the Gambling Commission, while the responsible local councils often avoid accountability.
Underlying Causes for Council Inaction
Miller suggested that uncertainty around gambling regulations or discomfort with gambling venues may explain why local officials are reluctant to carry out mandatory inspections. Despite this, fees continue to be collected for oversight work that is ultimately neglected.
The Regulatory Commission Stretched Thin
Miller described the overwhelming workload caused by this oversight gap. The Gambling Commission, based in Birmingham, must contend with limited resources while filling the regulatory void left by councils across England, Scotland, and Wales.
| Action | Volume Since April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Cease and desist orders issued | 344 |
| Unlicensed gambling URLs reported | 45,674 |
| URLs removed | 30,605 |
| Websites referred for delisting | 466 |
| Illegal gambling sites disrupted | 235 |
| Unlicensed operators targeted | 264 |
The regulator implemented additional consumer protection measures, including new restrictions on promotions, but Miller was frank about resource constraints:
“As a fairly small regulator based in Birmingham, the Gambling Commission is not in a position to police every gambling establishment up and down the nations of Britain,” he said. “Any change to that position would require the government to introduce a very different funding model for the Commission.”
Regulatory Change Yields Positive Financial Outcome
In a development that defied expectations, Miller presented data indicating an uptick in slot revenue after the £5 bet limit was established for adults. Industry opponents had contended that this regulation would lead to substantial declines and force operators to shutter, but the figures demonstrated otherwise. The outcome suggests that thoughtful regulation can benefit both player safety and business continuity.
Call for Action
Miller concluded with a clear message: local authorities must resume their rightful role in monitoring gambling establishments to ensure a healthier sector in Britain. The Gambling Commission’s current capacity remains limited while councils continue to collect inspection fees but refrain from performing the necessary work. He underlined the need for these authorities to actively fulfill their obligations in oversight, repeating the sentiment – stop collecting the money without delivering the oversight.
- Author
Daniel Williams
