Bingo Association AGM told new enforcement measures coming
UK Gambling Commission acting chief executive Sarah Gardner has pledged stronger action against illegal gambling while signalling continued regulatory cooperation with Britain’s bingo sector during a speech at the Bingo Association AGM.
Gardner confirmed the Commission had secured £26 million in new government funding over three years to strengthen enforcement activity, including what she described as the first serious investment into tackling land-based illegal gambling operations.
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She said the regulator would work more closely with police and other agencies as part of the expanded crackdown.
The speech also highlighted upcoming regulatory changes affecting bingo operators, including new gaming machine compliance rules taking effect from July 29. Under the changes, operators must immediately remove machines deemed non-compliant by the Commission.
Gardner also outlined the scale of the UK bingo industry, revealing the sector generated £816 million in gross gambling yield during 2024/25, representing about five per cent of the wider British gambling industry’s £16.8 billion total.
According to the Commission’s figures, non-remote bingo generated £650 million, while remote bingo contributed £166 million. Gardner said electronic gaming machines, including slot machines, accounted for roughly two-thirds of non-remote bingo revenue, with bingo games themselves making up 35 per cent.
She also stressed bingo’s social and community role while praising the sector’s collaborative relationship with regulators.
While there are dedicated bingo or house sites based in the United Kingdom, generally online bingo is found at UK online casinos, as part of their larger suite of online casino games.
