The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission is considering thepossibility of allowing cryptocurrency payments at licensed online casinos, inline with the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposed rules for cryptoassetfirms. The FCA consultation,which marks the final stage of its sector proposals, sets requirementscovering governance, operational resilience, financial crime controls, andConsumer Duty obligations. These rules will apply to any firm offeringregulated crypto services, including those in the gambling sector.Firms seeking to carry out regulated cryptoasset activitieswill needfull authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act. ExistingFSMA-authorised firms must vary their permissions, while those only registeredunder anti-money laundering or payment regulations must apply for fullauthorisation. Applications are expected to open in September, ahead of theregime’s planned October 2026 launch.Gambling Commission Considers Crypto Payments UKTim Miller, executive director for research and policy atthe Gambling Commission, said the regulator is examining “the potential pathforward” for using “cryptoasset as a consumer payment option for licensed andregulated gambling in Great Britain.” He made the remarks at the Betting andGaming Council’s annual general meeting in London.Under the planned regime, companies providing regulatedcrypto services will require FCA authorisation under the FSMA 2000.Crypto “Could Reduce Illegal Gambling” SearchesMiller said the commission has asked the Industry Forum, agroup representing gambling sector professionals, to identify possibleapproaches for accepting crypto payments. He did not specify a deadline for thework.One of the few areas where crypto infrastructure has actually matured.Prediction and betting markets - including opinion trading platforms like Polymarket - surfaced early because they needed fast settlement, global access, and verifiable outcomes.The UK Gambling Commission… pic.twitter.com/96Ls3qHd5q— Brian Rose, Founder & Host of London Real (@LondonRealTV) February 27, 2026The regulator also cited potential consumer protectionbenefits. Miller said: “Our illegal markets research also gives us evidencethat crypto is one of the two biggest searches that lead British gamblers toillegal sites.”He added that enabling crypto payments would notautomatically bring all operators under UK regulation, as some may not meetcustomer suitability requirements.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.