The UK gambling regulator is cautiously opening the door to crypto.
Tim Miller, executive director at the Gambling Commission, confirmed the body will explore whether cryptoassets could be permitted as a payment method within the licensed British market.
Speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council AGM, Miller described the move as a “tentative first step” rather than a policy shift, stressing that any pathway would need to align with the UK’s broader financial services reforms.
Crypto to fall under FCA supervision
The regulatory backdrop is changing. In December 2025, the government introduced the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 Cryptoassets Regulations 2025. If approved, cryptoasset activity will fall under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority, with the new regime expected to take effect in October 2027.
Under that framework, firms engaging in regulated crypto activities would need FCA authorisation before operating.
Miller said this development alters the regulatory landscape. With a clearer financial oversight structure emerging, the Commission believes it is time to consider how crypto could potentially be integrated into licensed gambling in Great Britain.
He has asked the Commission’s Industry Forum to assess how crypto payments might be introduced in a way that supports licensing objectives, including consumer protection, crime prevention and fairness.
No timeline has been set.
Demand and illegal market pressure
One driver behind the discussion is consumer behaviour.
According to Commission research, “crypto” is one of the two most common search terms leading British players to unlicensed gambling sites. Many offshore operators already accept digital assets, and the regulator appears concerned that prohibiting crypto entirely could indirectly channel consumers toward the illegal market.
Miller framed innovation as a potential consumer protection tool rather than a threat, arguing that refusing to examine crypto payments simply because of associated risks would be short-sighted.
At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges. Cryptoassets raise questions around volatility, anti-money laundering controls, affordability monitoring and transaction traceability. Any future framework would need robust safeguards.
Stability after reform
The crypto discussion comes as the Commission nears the end of implementing reforms stemming from the Gambling Act Review.
Miller cautioned against a perpetual cycle of regulatory upheaval, suggesting the sector would benefit from a period of stability to assess the impact of recent changes. Endless reform, he warned, risks consuming energy without delivering measurable improvement.
Illegal market enforcement intensifies
Alongside innovation, enforcement remains a priority.
The Commission recently secured £26 million in additional government funding to strengthen action against unlicensed operators. Miller said progress requires collaboration beyond the regulator alone, including cooperation from payment providers, tech platforms and social media companies.
He confirmed discussions with Meta regarding sites advertising as “not on GamStop”, signalling that digital platform accountability is increasingly part of the enforcement strategy.
Leadership transition underway
The remarks also came as Andrew Rhodes prepares to step down as chief executive of the Commission at the end of April. Deputy chief executive Sarah Gardner will assume the role on an acting basis while recruitment for a permanent CEO proceeds.
For now, the crypto conversation remains exploratory. But for the first time, the Commission is signalling that digital assets may not remain permanently outside Britain’s regulated gambling perimeter.