5% Ownership Threshold, Stricter Loan Reporting Coming to UK Casinos

_{Operators face stricter reporting requirements and updated consumer law obligations. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed two major updates to its Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), scheduled to take effect in March and April 2026. The changes, focused on corporate governance and marketing transparency, are part of the Commission’s wider effort to bolster regulatory oversight without altering the player experience.

March 2026: Key Event Reporting Thresholds Raised

From 19 March 2026, updates to Licence Condition 15.2.1 will change how gambling operators must report ownership and financial events to the UKGC.

These amendments are designed to improve the regulator’s visibility into corporate structures and financial risk, particularly regarding shareholders and lending arrangements.

The revised condition will:
    •    Raise the shareholder reporting threshold from 3% to 5% for “operator status” and “relevant persons and positions.”
    •    Expand the definition of “relevant persons” to include entities without share capital, such as partnerships or trusts.
    •    Require reporting of loans and financial arrangements regardless of whether they are documented in writing.

These changes aim to streamline regulatory reporting while better reflecting the diversity of modern corporate entities. The Commission will also update its Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement Policy Statement to match the new 5% threshold for listing shareholders, ensuring consistency across its framework.

April 2026: Aligning Marketing Rules with New Consumer Law

Further changes will come into effect on 6 April 2026. These focus on aligning gambling operators with the UK’s updated consumer protection laws.

The affected provisions are:
    •    Licence Condition 7.1.1: Fair and transparent terms and practices.
    •    Social Responsibility Code 5.1.9: Other marketing requirements.

Both sections will be revised to reflect the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, replacing references to the older Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

This legislative update, passed in June 2024, modernises consumer rights in the UK, requiring companies to improve clarity and fairness in their marketing and contract terms .

What Operators Need to Do

While these updates don’t impose new restrictions on gameplay, they signal the UKGC’s ongoing commitment to improving transparency and compliance standards across the sector.

Operators are expected to:
    •    Update internal monitoring processes to reflect the 5% shareholding threshold.
    •    Review how loans and financial agreements are tracked and reported.
    •    Revise consumer-facing materials and marketing content to comply with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

With clear implementation dates confirmed, compliance teams are expected to begin reviews immediately to ensure all documentation and reporting systems meet the updated requirements.