On 29 January 2026, the Gambling Commission announced changes to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (“LCCP”) ensuring that non-compliant gaming machines are removed from premises quickly and effectively. The changes come into force on 29 July 2026.

What are the new requirements?

In January 2025, the Gambling Commission opened its January 2025 consultation proposing a new general licence condition to simplify the Gambling Commission’s enforcement processes and to ensure that non-complaint machines are removed from the market. The Gambling Commission recently published its consultation response (the “Response”) confirming a new licence condition applicable to all non-remote casino, bingo, betting, adult gaming centre and family entertainment centre operating licences. The following new licence condition shall come into force on 29 July 2026:

18.     Removal of non-compliant gaming machines

18.1.   Removal of non-compliant gaming machines

18.1.1. Removal of non-compliant gaming machines

1. 1. 1.  Licensees must not make a specified gaming machine available for use in reliance on the licence if the Commission has notified the licensee in writing that the     manufacture, supply, installation, adaption, maintenance or repair of the machine:

a.  was not carried out in reliance on a gaming machine technical operating licence, or

b.  did not comply with the Commission’s gaming machine technical standards.

The written notifications will be sent from the Gambling Commission to the licensee’s primary contact and will clearly outline:

(a)   why the Gambling Commission considers the specified gaming machine(s) to be non-compliant;

(b)   the actions required; and

(c)   the timeline for completion.

The written notification will also clearly identify the “specified gaming machines” in question. The gaming machines would be identified through information such as the machine name, machine manufacturer, machine category and/or premises location. 

In the Response, the Gambling Commission re-iterates that licensees who make gaming machines available for use have existing responsibilities to ensure that the gaming machines offered are compliant with the Gambling Act 2005, LCCP and applicable Regulations.

Next steps

The new licence condition comes into force on 29 July 2026. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about gaming machine compliance or the new licence condition.