UK regulator weighs crypto payments for gambling

TLDR

UK gambling regulators are actively exploring whether to allow crypto payments at licensed online casinos under a new UK crypto regulatory regime.

1. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has asked its Industry Forum to map out how crypto payments might work within licensed online casinos, but no rule change is decided yet.
2. This review is tied to wider UK plans bringing crypto under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) supervision, with full rules targeted for October 2027.
3. Any future approval would likely mean crypto only via fully regulated providers, strict KYC/AML checks, and possible continued bans on unlicensed offshore crypto casinos.

Deep Dive

1. What The UK Regulator Is Considering

Tim Miller, Executive Director for research and policy at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), recently said the regulator is exploring a path for allowing crypto assets as a payment option for licensed gambling operators, speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council AGM and in a published speech on crypto casino payments.

He has tasked the UKGCs Industry Forum, which represents gambling sector workers, with examining practical options for integrating crypto into regulated platforms, including operational and compliance implications.

So far this is an exploratory review. The UKGC has not committed to permitting crypto deposits or withdrawals, set deadlines, or published draft rules.

2. Why Crypto Gambling Is Being Revisited

The UKGC currently prohibits licensed online operators from accepting crypto, mainly due to concerns about pseudonymity, open-ended transaction flows and difficulty maintaining a clear audit trail for funds, as noted in coverage of the Commissions position on UKGC crypto payments.

However, regulator research shows that crypto-related search terms are a major way British gamblers find illegal offshore sites, pushing activity into unregulated venues. Regulators are considering whether allowing tightly controlled crypto payments within licensed platforms could pull some of this activity back into the regulated perimeter while keeping existing customer suitability and affordability checks.

This all sits alongside the UKs broader crypto framework. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025 would bring crypto under FCA oversight, with a new authorization regime expected to fully apply from October 25, 2027. Any casino using crypto would likely have to partner with FCA-authorized crypto firms and meet those standards.

3. What To Watch Next

Key milestones to watch are:

1. Any UKGC consultation or guidance that follows the Industry Forums work on crypto payments.
2. FCA progress toward the 2026 authorization window and 2027 implementation date, which will define which crypto firms can legally serve UK users.
3. How regulators treat offshore crypto casinos, which could face more scrutiny even if regulated venues start accepting crypto.

For crypto users, the practical impact could be safer on-ramps into gambling using regulated coins or stablecoins, but also stricter identity checks and fewer options to use high-risk offshore sites without oversight.

Conclusion

The UK is not legalizing crypto gambling outright, but it is seriously examining whether regulated use of crypto in licensed casinos can improve consumer protection while aligning with the FCAs upcoming crypto regime. The outcome will likely be a trade off between innovation and strict compliance, with the clearest opportunities for regulated providers that can meet UK standards on transparency, AML and player safeguards.