UK Gambling Regulator Weighs Allowing Crypto Payments for Online Betting

Crypto assets are not yet widely accepted in Britain’s licensed gambling market, potentially pushing customer demand toward offshore platforms. Yield Sec said illegal operators accounted for 71% of Europe’s online betting and casino market in 2024, while the black market’s share in Britain was about 9%. The government has also allocated £26 million over three years to strengthen enforcement, and allowing crypto payments is seen as another way to steer customers toward licensed operators while protecting consumers.

On February 26, 2026, Tim Miller, the UK Gambling Commission’s executive director for research and policy, said the regulator had asked its Industry Forum to develop a compliant framework. Operators would also need authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and would have to pass affordability and suitability checks. The FCA’s new regime is expected to take effect on October 25, 2027, while the commission has not set a timetable for allowing crypto payments.