Gambling Commission confirms fee changes and introduction of host licence

Great Britain’s Gambling Commission has confirmed it will go ahead with plans to revamp its current fee structure, predominantly through an increase in the number of revenue bands, while also introducing a new ‘game host’ operating permit.

The regulator yesterday published its responses to a consultation launched in July on proposed changes to the current fee structure, which it said would result in more firms paying less.

However, a reduction in fees would only likely apply to smaller firms, with those of greater scale potentially seeing their fees more than double.

For instance, operators with betting GGY of between £220m and £550m per year would see their betting licence fees rise from £117,746 to £281,058 – an increase of 138%.

The new fee structure, which was devised by the Commission along with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, will come into effect on 6 April 2017 and also include a new ‘game host’ licence.

The new licence type is aimed at B2B suppliers which also host games through B2C remote casino or bingo partners.

At present providers need to hold both a B2B and B2C licence however, following a broadly positive response from industry, a more cost effective game host licence type will be introduced in order to reduce the burden on such suppliers.

The licence costs for a game host licence will be less than an operating licence in order to reflect the reduced oversight required by the regulator.

Yesterday’s fees publication also contained news that first time remote licensees will receive a 25% annual discount for their first year – a saving which had only previously been available within the land-based sector.