UK Gambling Commission introduces new gaming machine safety standards

The UK Gambling Commission has announced new standards for gaming machines designed to increase fairness and consumer safety. Announced on September 30, 2026, the regulations focus on new category B gaming machines, requiring them to provide clearer access to gambling management tools and session information. This data will show players how long they have been playing and their total wins or losses, while also being accessible to licensees to help identify potential gambling harm.

The new rules also address game design. Specifically, machines will be prohibited from celebrating wins that are smaller than the initial stake, and features that allow players to speed up the time between results will be banned. These measures follow a consultation process linked to the 2023 White Paper, ‘High Stakes: gambling reform for the digital age’.

Existing gaming machines will be exempt from these requirements due to technical complexity and cost considerations. Most of the new changes are expected to take effect in June 2027. Helen Rhodes, the Commission’s Director of Major Policy Projects and Evaluation, stated that the measures aim to empower consumers to manage their gambling while ensuring operators meet their regulatory obligations.