At the IAGR 2025 Conference, UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes warned that cryptocurrency’s rapid adoption among younger players could soon create major regulatory challenges. Although crypto gambling remains prohibited for licensed UK operators, Rhodes revealed that unregulated markets are thriving on crypto-based betting a trend evolving far faster than anticipated.
He noted that individuals under 40 increasingly use crypto as both a store of value and a payment method, creating a disconnect between consumer behaviour and the legal gambling framework. If regulators fail to adapt, Rhodes cautioned, players may continue migrating to unlicensed platforms that accept digital assets.
The UKGC maintains deep reservations about integrating cryptocurrency into licensed operations, citing the complexity of verifying funds, tracing transactions, and managing anti-money laundering compliance. Rhodes stressed that resolving these issues requires decisions at a governmental level, not solely by gambling regulators.
Beyond the crypto discussion, Rhodes addressed broader sector trends including the rise of AI tools for safer gambling, enforcement against illegal operators, and the regulator’s expanding data-driven initiatives. The Commission’s latest figures reveal a 300% year-on-year increase in illegal gambling cases and an intensifying focus on industry transparency.
In a bid to strengthen its evidence-led approach, the UKGC also unveiled its new Evidence Roadmaps, a detailed research framework supporting its Corporate Strategy and the upcoming statutory levy. Rhodes closed by calling for stronger international cooperation, emphasising that challenges like crypto integration, technological disruption, and consumer protection now transcend national borders.
