UK Gambling Commission’s Tim Miller Issues Industry Warning Before Departure
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) recently announced that Tim Miller, its executive director of research and policy, will be leaving the organization. As he prepares to step down, Miller has shared some cautionary insights for the British gambling sector.
Blurred Boundaries Between Legal and Illegal Gambling
During the iGB Live event held from July 1-2, Miller spoke with NEXT.io about his concerns for the industry’s future. He highlighted troubling connections between some licensed gaming companies and the illicit gambling market. Miller pointed out that certain businesses participating in the event have ties to unlicensed operations, demonstrating how the divide between authorized and illegal activities is often unclear.
Miller explained that the gambling landscape is not simply split into two separate entities — the regulated market and the illegal market — but rather that the distinction between them can be quite vague. He stressed the complexity of this overlap and the risks it poses to regulation and consumer protections.
“We often talk about licensed and illegal markets as if they exist independently, but in reality, the line between them is very blurred.”
— Tim Miller
As a critic of the growing black market presence, Miller has frequently called on technology companies to do more to protect UK consumers from unauthorized gambling offerings. He urged these companies to take a clear stance and stop supporting affiliates or suppliers linked to illegal gambling operations.
“It’s unacceptable to engage with suppliers and affiliates that also back the black market.”
— Tim Miller
The Black Market’s Impact on the UK Gambling Industry
After spending nearly a decade at the UKGC, Miller has solidified his views on the gambling sector’s challenges. One of his key messages has been the importance of cooperative efforts across the industry to counteract the black market, which he regards as a significant threat to the licensed gaming community.
The UKGC has confirmed that Miller will continue his professional journey outside the UK gambling regulatory sphere, exploring new industries.
Meanwhile, the UK gambling market is navigating difficult conditions due to evolving regulations and increased taxation. Recent government proposals, such as updates found in the Gambling Act white paper and changes introduced in the Autumn Budget, have put pressure on the sector’s competitiveness.
In response, the British Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has vocally opposed plans to raise the machine games duty by double. The council warns that such measures could weaken the legal market and inadvertently give the black market even more room to expand.
