Fees, Forums and Fallout: Gambling Commission Makes Headlines in January

_{Kirsty Caldwell, founder of Betsmart Consulting, is now interim chair of the Gambling Commission’s Industry Forum. (Image: Gambling Commission)}

The Gambling Commission has ended January with three major updates, from a fees review and leadership changes to a high-profile court victory.

DCMS Opens Public Consultation on Gambling Commission Fees

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched a public consultation on 28 January to review the funding model of the Gambling Commission, the UK’s gambling regulator.

The review, open until 29 March, is the first since 2021 and follows a commitment made in the 2023 Gambling Act Review white paper. It aims to ensure the Commission has the resources it needs to regulate a fast-changing industry.

The Commission welcomed the move, stating that the consultation “will provide certainty on the Commission’s future income for the coming years,” pending its outcomes.

This is a key step in modernising how gambling is regulated in Britain, as the regulator faces growing responsibilities amid evolving digital products and increased public scrutiny. The Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates commercial gambling in Great Britain, including online casinos, betting, and the National Lottery. 

Full consultation details and the response form are available on the UK Government website.

Kirsty Caldwell Steps in as Interim Chair of Industry Forum

On 22 January, the Gambling Commission confirmed the appointment of Kirsty Caldwell as interim chair of the Industry Forum, a body that gives regulated operators a voice in shaping Commission policies.

Caldwell, who founded Betsmart Consulting in 2019 and joined the Forum in 2024, takes over from Nick Rust, whose term ended in November 2025. She’ll serve while the Commission recruits a permanent replacement.

“I am delighted to be taking on this role,” Caldwell said. “I remain fully committed to building a healthy, respected gambling sector, and cooperation and communication between regulator and industry is key to achieving this.”

The Industry Forum brings together representatives from the gambling sector to provide feedback on Commission initiatives, including its services to licensees and broader policy direction.

Caldwell’s appointment marks a continuity of experienced leadership, especially important as the Commission works through policy changes arising from the 2023 white paper.

Civil Suit Against Commission Dismissed in High Court

A civil case filed by Lee Feldman and Kenneth Alexander against the Gambling Commission has been dismissed by the High Court.

The pair, who previously held senior roles at GVC Holdings (now Entain), alleged that the Commission misused private information and breached their confidence. But on 19 January, Mrs Justice Eady dismissed all claims at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The court also ordered Feldman and Alexander to pay the Commission’s legal costs. The Commission did not comment further.

This legal win comes at a time when the Commission continues to face scrutiny from both operators and political actors, reinforcing the regulator’s legal footing as it enforces compliance across the sector.

Intensified Change in Regulatory Landscape

These developments reflect the Commission’s dual mandate: hold the industry to account while also collaborating with it to shape effective, modern regulation.

The funding review could reshape how the Commission operates at a time when gambling technology is outpacing legacy oversight frameworks. Meanwhile, Caldwell’s appointment and the dismissal of the lawsuit highlight the ongoing balancing act between stakeholder engagement and strict enforcement.

Whether you’re an operator, regulator, or player, these updates signal a period of intensified change, and scrutiny, for the UK gambling sector.