UK Gambling Commission ponders allowing crypto payments
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is exploring whether licensed gambling operators should be allowed to accept cryptocurrency payments, as the regulator warns that growing consumer demand for digital assets is pushing some British gamblers toward illegal websites.
Speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council’s Annual General Meeting, Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller said research shows crypto-related searches are increasingly leading players to unlicensed offshore operators.
MORE: Gambling in the United Kingdom
The gambling regulator said the trend highlights the need to examine a “potential path forward” that would allow legal operators to offer crypto payments while maintaining strict consumer protections.
The move comes as the United Kingdom prepares broader digital asset regulation under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025. If approved, the framework would bring crypto assets under the oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority, with a new regime expected to begin in October 2027.
The Commission has asked its Industry Forum to explore how crypto payments in online gambling could operate within existing anti-money laundering and licensing requirements.
While many major jurisdictions have historically banned crypto gambling due to enforcement challenges, some markets have adopted a more flexible approach. South Africa allows crypto payments alongside traditional banking methods, while the Malta Gaming Authority permits limited use of digital assets subject to strict AML checks.
Meanwhile, offshore jurisdictions such as Curacao remain notorious for hosting online casinos and betting sites that widely accept cryptocurrency payments.
