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The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a consultation document in error that shows a proposed 30% increase in the gambling license fee.
The information was published on the GOV.UK site on January 27, 2026, followed by a message stating that this was a mistake and the proposal was swiftly removed.
Gambling fee hike info posted in error
“Without an uplift in October 2026, the Commission’s reserves are expected to be completely exhausted during the 2026 to 2027 financial year,” the DCMS stated starkly in the document that was pulled.
The document is now live following a turbulent morning, with the fee information titled “Proposed changes to Gambling Commission fees” available for open consultation.

Labour attacked our pubs, tourism, and hospitality with National Insurance and Business Rates hikes and now they’re hitting gambling with higher license fees.
I know Labour MPs are a generally miserable lot, but what is it they’ve got against everyone else having a bit of fun?… pic.twitter.com/buaISjB7Qz
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) January 28, 2026

Despite the error, the content is unaltered from the reportedly premature posting, and there is no indication that these proposals will be withdrawn.
The key facts centre on potential changes to existing gambling fee legislation and will remain open until March 29, 2026, but they foreshadow a rise in gambling licenses in the UK.
Key facts in the consultation
The proposal affects every Gambling Commission license in Great Britain, across both remote and land-based gambling sectors that are subject to the landmark 30% change.
We reported on the budgetary implications for gambling operators in Great Britain and how they were bracing for change in the November 2025 budget.
This DCMS post is now better aligned with operators’ broader gambling business concerns, and their fears could resurface following the proposals, with remote casino’s in the firing line of the changes.

There have been a whole range of gambling regulations (and now tax) making the regulated market more uncompetitive than the illegal market.Now it proposed the regulated market operators pay to try the ‘tackle’ the illegal market instead of deregulation.https://t.co/giH38vgc9m pic.twitter.com/7Jge4nXNmr
— Chris Fawcett (@chrisgambler247) January 28, 2026

“Under each of the consultation options, there would be significant fee increases for remote casino licensees… where many of the Commission’s strategic commitments are principally aligned.”
The DCMS has stated in the publication that the “true cost” of UK gambling fees has not been covered as a result of rapid growth in the industry’s gross gambling yield (GGY).
“This consultation seeks views on proposals for changes to Gambling Commission fees… to determine the extent to which the Gambling Commission is able to recover its costs and exercise its functions.”
A telling part of the changes, according to the DCMS, is the cost of enforcement against illegal gambling and the delivery of Gambling Act Review reforms, which, in their view, have justified the decision to increase fees.
“These proposals would reset the income required per type of licence so that it more closely reflects the cost to the Commission of carrying out regulatory activities associated with that kind of operating licence.”
Although the content published by the DCMS is still a proposal and open until March 2026, there will no doubt be a reflex from the wider British gambling community, but the reach and the impact of the changes have not yet been calculated.
Featured image: Adobe Firefly
The post Consultation published in error proposes 30% UK gambling license fee hike appeared first on ReadWrite.

A judge in the Massachusetts Superior Court has published preliminary thoughts around a 30-day timeline for Kalshi to implement geofencing technology.
Geofencing is a digital barrier that functions like a map or territory, permitting or restricting access to certain content, or, in the case of Kalshi, to the prediction market’s features.
Judge Christopher K. Barry-Smith oversaw the legal battle that could have wider implications in a dispute over state-regulated jurisdictions and the legality of prediction markets operating in states without a license.
The case dates back to Fall 2025, when Kalshi was alleged to have offered illegal sports gambling without a license. State Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell presented, at the time (September 2025), that Kalshi was earning more on sports bets than state-licensed sportsbooks.
Kalshi’s defense suffered a setback when the case was demoted to the state level, further removing the federal shield from the prediction market operators’ argument. Judge Richard G. Stearns of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts made the decision and set the playing field for Judge Barry-Smith’s oversight.
Kalshi geofencing takes shape
Well-known legal and gambling commentator Daniel Wallach was on hand to highlight the key parts of Judge Barry-Smith’s preliminary thoughts on X.

Big takeaway:
– Judge leaning towards a 30-day timeline for Kalshi to implement geofencing in Massachusetts, as opposed to the 90-days requested by Kalshi (thank CFTC for that!). https://t.co/pmlvwPRuOS
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) January 27, 2026

Judge Barry-Smith’s publication balances the views of his predecessors on the case and has given Kalshi an opportunity to continue. The company would have to incorporate the technology to prevent users in Massachusetts from entering into sports event contracts, but Kalshi could do so without the company holding a state gambling licence.
Wallach pointed out that “Given Kalshi’s ‘nationwide business,’ Kalshi must use ‘technological controls’ to ensure that sports event contracts are not offered ‘directly or indirectly’ to persons in Massachusetts.”
The judge also dismissed Kalshi’s plea for a 90-day compliance window, saying that the company will have 30 days to implement these controls. The court noted that Kalshi has had months to anticipate this requirement, referencing regulatory signals including the CFTC’s September 30, 2025, notice.
Wallach also noted that notifications to users about Kalshi’s features will include a flag when an account holder attempts to place a prohibited sports-related contract.
The preliminary thoughts concluded that the parties’ proposed preliminary injunction order is due by February 4, 2026, but the “Court anticipates deciding Kalshi’s emergency request for a stay of the injunction pending appeal on the same timeline.”
Featured image: Kalshi / Canva
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The Polymarket and Nevada saga remains to be ongoing, as a judge has denied Nevada’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) which marks a small win for the prediction market.
This refers to the request for an ex parte temporary restraining order, with the docket also suggesting a hearing on the state’s motion for the preliminary injunction has been set. If the docket is correct, the hearing will be held on February 19 and it contains a similar posture to the Massachusetts lawsuit versus Kalshi.
If the hearing goes in the state of Nevada’s favor, the prediction market Polymarket would be forced to geofence statewide.

Docket for Nevada Gaming’s civil action against Polymarket in Nevada state court. Appears judge denied Nevada’s request for temporary restraining order. @SSGamblers @WALLACHLEGAL @akhoya87 pic.twitter.com/GLcKIorlhA
— Mick Bransfield (@MickBransfield) January 27, 2026

This latest movement comes after a motion for TRO and the preliminary injunction against Polymarket was filed last week. In the filing, it states: “The BOARD seeks to restrain and enjoin POLYMARKET and any of its agents, employees, officers, or affiliates from operating a derivatives exchange and prediction market (“market”) that offers event-based contracts relating to sporting and other events to people…”
Nevada and Polymarket saga continues, with date for hearing scheduled

Nevada state court judge denies Nevada’s request for ex parte temporary restraining order vs. Polymarket and sets hearing on the state’s motion for preliminary injunction (as best as I can tell from the docket notation); Nevada renews its request for ex parte TRO. https://t.co/UJL8ikJxh8
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) January 27, 2026

It was just days prior to this that the Nevada Gaming Control Board published a press release which clearly stated: “Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale. These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada.
“The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.”
They allege that Polymarket’s operations are unlawful in the state of Nevada and they express how the “gaming industry is vitally important to the economy of the state and the general welfare of the inhabitants and therefore must be licensed, controlled, and assisted to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State.”
This isn’t the first move Nevada has made against prediction markets either, as similar actions have been taken against most DraftKings and Flutter’s prediction market services.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
The post Judge denies Nevada’s request for temporary restraining order against Polymarket appeared first on ReadWrite.

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has announced that it will continue to operate mobile sportsbooks in Illinois with a market-access partnership with PENN Entertainment through Argosy Casino Alton.
Following the suspension of its previous partner, Hawthorne Race Course, the betting giant has sought to keep its foothold in the state.
Betting regulations in the Land of Lincoln require any licensed online sportsbook to be hand in hand with a land-based casino or racetrack that also holds the required license to operate.
Fanatics keeps foothold in Illinois
Gambling industry commentator and insider Ryan Butler posted news of the brand’s partnership with PENN’s location on X, and had also mentioned that Fanatics confirmed the move in a customer communication.

Fanatics will continue to operate it’s mobile sportsbook in Illinois, the company reaffirmed in a customer email earlier today; Fanatics has switched to a operating partnership with PENN Entertainment-owned Argosy Casino Alton after Hawthorne Race Course was shut down this month
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 27, 2026

“Fanatics has switched to an operating partnership with PENN Entertainment-owned Argosy Casino Alton after Hawthorne Race Course was shut down this month,” said Butler.
For Fanatics bettors, the move didn’t really change much, but it’s another red flag for the Chicago-area racetrack, which had its harness racing license suspended by the Illinois Racing Board just a day earlier.
“Today the Illinois Racing Board made a very difficult decision to suspend the operating license of Suburban Downs,” said Domenic DiCera IRB executive director, cited by the Paulick Report.
“On Jan. 15, IRB requested bank statements that reflect the operating fund, and any fund related to racing operations at Suburban Downs. Unfortunately, their financial difficulties, including failure to provide financial documents showing their ability to operate assigned 2026 race dates, have led us to suspend their license.”

As an Illinois Racing Board spox confirmed to me yesterday, only the harness racing licenses (live & ITW) are suspended.
Hawthorne’s thoroughbred live & ITW licenses are not affected by this. But as the other Steve B. points out, the issues likely extend beyond harness racing https://t.co/n6x10Wuo5t
— Steve Bittenbender (@Stepbitt) January 28, 2026

Fanatics builds on major deals
The news comes on the back of multiple major deals for Fanatics across 2025 and in early 2026.
We reported that the betting name decided to enter the prediction market fray with Crypto.com, which is fast becoming the norm for established gambling operators looking to take advantage of the market’s wagering gold rush.

Powering Up Predictions! We’re excited to announce our next prediction markets partnership with Fanatics as they launch @Fanatics Markets – the first Fan-Led Prediction Market at the Intersection of Sports, Finance, and Culture.
Read more: https://t.co/rd4KymEOIW pic.twitter.com/LBMUVBlUeI
— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) December 3, 2025

Travis McGhee, Global Head of Predictions at Crypto.com, said of the deal that “Crypto.com was the first to launch sports prediction markets, and our reach continues to grow through innovative partnerships with top-tier platforms such as Fanatics.
“We could not be more proud to be the partner of choice for Fanatics, and together we will provide fans with a safe and compliant way to access prediction markets.”
The brand is also making a concentrated marketing push across the US with celebrity-focused content, such as Kendall Jenner’s “Big Game” commercial.

Fans nationwide can wager with or against the reality television star via the Fanatics Sportsbook app beginning Thursday, January 29, following the reveal of her pick on Wednesday, January 28, at midnight.
Featured image: Fanatics Media
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