UK Gambling Commission Opens Door to Crypto Payments

UK Gambling Commission Executive Director Tim Miller announced at the Betting and Gaming Council AGM that the regulator will examine how cryptoassets could be used as a payment method in licensed gambling. Miller described the move as a tentative first step and set no deadlines.

The Commission’s Industry Forum will lead the initial review. Miller framed the decision around two factors: the government’s progress on crypto regulation and growing consumer demand from bettors.

The government introduced the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025 into Parliament in December 2025. If approved, the legislation brings cryptoassets under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The new regime is expected to take effect on October 25, 2027.

Illegal Market Angle

Miller linked the crypto review to illegal market enforcement. Commission research shows “crypto” ranks as one of the two most common search terms directing UK consumers to unlicensed gambling sites. Bringing crypto payments into the licensed market could reduce that traffic, he argued.

Miller welcomed £26 million in additional government funding for illegal market enforcement. He added that tackling unlicensed operators requires action beyond the regulator alone, including from tech platforms and payment providers. Miller confirmed Meta has committed to working with the Commission on unlicensed “not on GamStop” sites following a recent meeting.

Regulatory Stability Called For

Miller used the AGM to call for a period of regulatory stability. He said the industry needs time to assess the impact of recent reforms before new ones follow. “Getting into a position where we are on an endless treadmill of reform will not take us any further forward in figuring out what works,” he said.

He also confirmed that CEO Andrew Rhodes will step down on April 30. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will serve as acting CEO while the Commission recruits a permanent replacement.

TGJ Take

The Commission blocked crypto payments while unlicensed sites used them to poach UK consumers. That argument has now landed. Allowing crypto within the licensed market closes the gap. The hard date is October 2027, when the FCA regime takes effect. Any operator planning to offer crypto payments needs FCA authorisation before then, and that process takes time.