The UK government has released long-anticipated draft proposals aimed at reforming land-based casino regulations.
These proposed changes would allow casinos to increase the number of gaming machines they operate, while also introducing restrictions on the overall size of gambling areas.
Submitted to Parliament on 12 May by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the draft Casinos (Gaming Machines and Mandatory Conditions) Regulations could come into effect on 22 July, pending approval from both Houses. The draft forms part of a broader set of interrelated statutory instruments that revise various aspects of casino regulation, including venue size, gaming floor dimensions, and the ratio of betting positions to space.
Under the proposed rules, the number of gaming machines permitted will now be tied to floor space. For example, a floor area between 380 and 400 square metres would allow up to 28 machines, while the maximum of 40 machines would be permitted on floors of at least 500 square metres.
A key limitation included in the draft is a cap on gambling areas within casinos, which must not exceed 1,500 square metres. Venues already exceeding this threshold as of 12 May will not be allowed to expand further.
These proposals follow the UK government’s comprehensive gambling review concluded in 2023 and reflect measures suggested in its April 2023 white paper. That paper recommended modernising land-based regulations, introducing marketing restrictions, and giving casinos greater flexibility on gaming machine numbers and sports betting offerings.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the trade body representing UK gambling businesses, welcomed the draft reforms. It has consistently supported these changes, along with operators such as Rank Group, arguing that the updates are necessary to modernise the sector.
