UKGC Discusses Possibility for Crypto Payments for Online Gambling
The UK Gambling Commission (UKCG) is looking at possible options for launching cryptocurrency payments as a supported legal tends for online gambling operators. This move looks at counteracting illegal gambling websites.
Sepaking at the Betting and Gambling Council (BGC) Annual General Meeting on the 26th of February 2026, Tim Miller the UKGC's executive director discussed what this option could look like, but there was no mention of specific deadlines or timeline for when crypto gambling could become a legal option at gambling sites.
Miller spoke about the Financial Services and Marketing Act 2000, and stated that if the legislation is passed, it would bring crypto assets under the Financial Conduct Authorities remit as early as October 2027.
This would mean that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether could be used to gamble with, but no timeline on this is clear as debates are still ongoing. Miller did state that there was demand for cryptocurrency among gamblers.
He went on to say, "And that, as well as the growing appetite we see from punters, means we do now want to start looking at what the potential path forward would be to create a way to crypto assets to be used as a consumer payment options for licensed and regulated gambling in Great Britain."
Miller also stated that authorizing crypto payments could be an opportunity to strengthen the regulated gambling market, and that data has shown that crypto is one of the two biggest searches that lead local gamblers to illegal websites.
Miller also spoke about the risk involved and said, "There will be significant challenges and risks to overcome in considering this topic, but I am keen that we approach this in the spirit of exploring the art of the possible rather than starting from a position of finding all the reasons not to innovate."
Illegal Gambling Still an Issue for the UKGC
Illegal gambling is a topic that the UKCG monitors closely and the UK government is setting up a dedicated Illegal Gambling Taskforce.
Miller has acknowledged that he has been in discussion with Meta, the parent company behind social media networks, Instagram and Facebook, and these discussions have been positive with Meta having committed to working with the UKGC in relation to 'not on GamStop' sites.
Without any deadlines or timeframes in place, it is impossible to know if and when cryptocurrency casinos will become legal in the UK, but we will continue to monitor the discussions and provide updates when they become available.
