Casino Premises – Changes to Legislation 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its gambling white paper in April 2023, which set out the government’s plans for modernising the regulation of the gambling sector. A series of key proposals specifically relating to the land-based gambling sector were outlined in the white paper, including measures to adjust outdated regulatory restrictions applying to the sector. Following consultation, DCMS indicated its intention to implement a number of these legislative changes. 

On 24 April 2025, a statutory instrument was laid in the UK Parliament as part of the process to deliver these measures – The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
 
These Regulations make amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1970)) (“the 2009 Regulations”) to alter what constitutes a “gaming table” in a casino for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Gambling Act 2005 (“the Act”).
 
One effect of the amendments made by the 2025 regulations is to make it clear that only gaming tables controlled or operated by casino staff can qualify as a gaming table for the purposes of calculating gaming machine allowances.  
 
Further Draft Statutory Instrument 
 
On 12 May 2025, a further draft statutory instrument was laid in the UK Parliament – The Gambling Act 2005 (Casinos) (Gaming Machines and Mandatory Conditions) Regulations 2025 (“the draft Casinos Regulations”). 
 
The draft Casinos Regulations form part of a package of interlinked statutory instruments which amend the regulatory framework for land-based casinos. 
 
Two further linked statutory instruments were published alongside the draft Casino Regulations to enable proper scrutiny of the whole package of changes. These are: 
 

• The Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2025) 

• The Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 

 
Subject to the final Parliamentary procedures, the statutory instruments when approved will have the effect of adding new conditions to applicable non-remote casino premises licences seeking to take advantage of the new entitlements.
 
Those licensees who want to utilise the new entitlements will have to apply to the relevant licensing authority to vary the premises licence, so the premises layout plan reflects changes in operation.  
 
Next Steps 
 
When all the statutory instruments have been laid in the UK Parliament, the Commission will publish information on the overall intent of the statutory instruments, what the changes mean for operators of casino premises that intend to make use of the amended Regulations and how this process should be administered by licensing authorities when applications are received. 
 
Further information on these changes will be published as it becomes available on the Gambling Commission’s website and communicated to operators and licensing authorities.