Politics · United Kingdom · 8 hrs ago
New commission to review UK gambling laws and racing's funding
A new Gambling Policy Commission will review UK gambling laws and consider whether further reform or new legislation is needed.
Chaired by Cambridge economics professor Jagjit Chadha, it brings together experts in fields including law, health, public policy and sport.
The current framework is based on the Gambling Act 2005, which was introduced before the rapid growth of online gambling and newer products such as prediction markets and cryptocurrencies.
The commission will invite evidence from interested people and organisations, with submissions due by 12 February 2027.
It aims to publish findings and recommendations before the next general election.
Its review will examine horseracing's special relationship with betting, including the statutory betting levy and media rights linked to betting turnover.
These arrangements matter because betting contributes to the sport's funding, and the review gives racing a chance to make its case as gambling rules are reconsidered.
The Gambling Policy Commission will review whether UK gambling laws need reform, including possible new primary legislation.
The commission, chaired by Cambridge University economics professor Jagjit Chadha, launches on Monday and is seeking evidence from interested parties.
Submissions are due by 12 February 2027, and the commission aims to publish findings before the next general election.
Its terms include the special position of British horseracing, including the statutory betting levy and media rights linked to betting turnover.
The review comes as online gambling and new technologies have changed the market since the Gambling Act 2005.
- Who
- The Gambling Policy Commission, chaired by Jagjit Chadha, will conduct the review.
- What
- It will assess the UK gambling laws and consider whether further reform or new primary legislation may be needed.
- When
- It launches on Monday; evidence submissions are due by 12 February 2027.
- Where
- The review concerns the UK gambling framework, including British horseracing.
- Why
- The gambling market and technology have changed considerably since the last comprehensive independent review.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sir Alan Budd’s review of gambling laws was published.
The Gambling Act was passed, incorporating the vast majority of the Budd Report’s recommendations.
The Gambling Policy Commission launches and opens a call for evidence.
The deadline for evidence submissions.
- Commission
- Gambling Policy Commission (GPC)
- Chair
- Jagjit Chadha OBE, professor of economics at Cambridge University
- Evidence deadline
- 12 February 2027
- Horseracing issues
- Statutory betting levy and media rights linked to betting turnover
- Earlier legislation
- Gambling Act 2005
What people are saying
The last comprehensive independent review of gambling legislation was undertaken a quarter of a century ago
Our purpose is to examine the evidence carefully and independently, to understand how the existing framework has operated, assess the impact of more recent reforms, and consider what legislative and regulatory framework will be appropriate for the years ahead.
We want to hear from people and organisations with experience, evidence and expertise across all sides of this debate.