11. Dezember 2025
Radar - roundup 2025 – 1 von 2 Insights
We round up the UK and EU legislative and regulatory highlights of 2025 in:
Packed with links to our analysis over the year, this is the only seasonal gift you really need.
It's barely possible to keep up with developments in AI. Here, we look at some of the key legal and policy events in the UK and EU over the course of 2025. Many of these are explored in more detail in our AIQ publication, and data protection-related developments are covered in the Data and cyber security section of this update. You may also be interested in our predictions for AI in 2026.
Matt Clifford's AI Opportunities Action Plan and the government's response to it were published on 13 January 2025. The Action Plan made 50 recommendations, all of which the government is taking forward. Read more.
Towards the end of the year, the government said a consultation on an AI Bill would not be published before 2026, and rumours that an AI Bill could be dropped altogether were given substance by Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, in early December, when she said: "I'm thinking of it more in terms of specific areas where we may need to act, rather than a sort of big, all encompassing Bill". In the absence of a government-proposed AI Bill, there were two private members' Bills on AI which progressed up to a point. The Private Members' Bill on Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems moved through the Lords and then to the House of Commons for consideration and the Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill, had its second reading in the Lords. It provides for a central AI authority to oversee the UK's regulatory approach to AI, aims to mitigate risks to individuals from the use of AI in the public sector, and provides for an independent dispute resolution mechanism. It is unusual for Private Members' Bills to become law.
The government committed to supporting regulators to continue with their AI-related work, including through the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), and the AI and Digital Hub. The government also confirmed its plans to place the AI Safety Institute on a statutory footing and established the Central AI Risk Function within DSIT. DSIT launched a UK survey on the AI sector which closed on 31 March 2025. Responses will be used to inform government policy on AI.
On 21 October 2025, the UK government announced a new blueprint for AI regulation and launched a call for views on an AI Growth Lab which will use supervised regulatory sandboxes to test AI in real-world conditions in healthcare, professional services, transport and advanced manufacturing. The government also launched a public call for views on an AI Growth Lab. Responses are requested by close on 2 January 2026.
The regulators continued to cooperate on a sector-focused approach while policy consultations proliferated:
One of the most pressing issues with the rise of AI is copyright in training materials and output. The long awaited decision in Getty Images v Stability AI failed to deliver conclusive answers in many key areas as we discuss here, but the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUA Act) was almost derailed by reactions to the government's consultation on copyright. Concerns that the government favours allowing data scraping and use of copyright materials to train AI unless the rightsholder opts out (similar to the EU Copyright Directive TDM exception) in its ongoing consultation on copyright and AI, led the House of Lords to push for rightsholder protections in the DUA Bill. Ultimately, the Lords gave way but not before forcing a number of relatively minor amendments into the DUA Act on 19 June 2025.
The Secretary of State is now required to publish an assessment of the economic impact of the four options proposed in the consultation on AI and copyright within nine months of the DUA Act's date of Royal Assent. The Secretary of State must also publish a report on the use of copyright works in the development of AI systems and consider the four consultation options. In addition, a progress report is required within six months of the DUA Act getting Royal Assent (ie by 19 December 2025). On 16 July 2025, the government announced it was setting up an expert working group on AI and copyright. The group includes representatives from leading tech firms including Amazon, Sony Entertainment, Meta, Open AI and the Publishers Association.
Meanwhile, the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) announced on 18 March 2025, that it was adding new permissions to its commercial and public sector licences enabling UK professionals to use copyright-protected content to prompt generative AI tools from 1 May 2025. This will allow the lawful copying of published content to prompt relevant Generative AI tools to generate outputs.
For more on AI and copyright issues in the UK and EU, see here, and you can find our AI copyright litigation tracker here.
On 2 February 2025, the EU AI Act AI literacy requirement under Article 4 came into force. The EC Digital Omnibus proposal introduced on 19 November 2025, suggests that AI literacy obligations will move from provider and deployer responsibility to the Commission and Member States at some point. Article 5 also came into effect on 2 February. This prohibits certain types of AI including AI systems used for social scoring, emotional analysis in the workplace, and subliminal manipulation. See our article for more. Finally, on 2 August 2025, the rules on GPAI models became applicable.
Even as the AI Act's implementation was progressing, the European Commission was planning changes. On 19 November 2025, the European Commission published a Digital Omnibus proposal which plans changes to the AI Act. Most notably, the application of Chapter III AI Act on high-risk AI is linked to completion of standards and guidance. The rules will only apply once the Commission adopts a Decision confirming completion and after that, a six month transition period for Annex III systems, and 12 months for Annex I. However, if no such Decision is adopted, a back stop kicks in and the rules will apply from 2 December 2027 (Annex III) and 2 August 2028 (Annex I). The Omnibus proposal is in its initial stages and is likely to prove controversial. Whether or not it can be introduced in time to change AI Act compliance deadlines remains to be seen. Read more about the Omnibus proposal here.
The European Commission formally withdrew the proposal for an AI Liability Directive on 31 July 2025 along with the proposed Standard Essential Patents Regulation, following a six month consultation.
Plans for global prominence (if not dominance) in AI continued. On 9 April 2025, the European Commission published its AI Continent Action Plan which outlines actions to help achieve the EU's goal of becoming a global leader in AI. Read more. On 8 October 2025, the European Commission published two strategies to accelerate AI uptake in industry and science along with funding commitments.
As in the UK, copyright and AI continued to be a focus in the EU, most recently with an important decision in GEMA v Open AI in the Munich court (see here), which largely upheld GEMA's copyright claims against OpenAI. See here for more on AI copyright litigation in the EU and UK.
Data privacy is another long-running issue but the Digital Omnibus again contains some potentially useful provisions if they make it through to enactment:
Among other developments:
Throughout 2025, the EC published a range of consultations and guidelines to assist with AI Act implementation and compliance including:
This year saw significant momentum across the UK and EU in online safety and platform regulation. In the UK, the Online Safety Act (OSA) moved to intensive implementation, with Ofcom focusing on guidance, consultations and early enforcement activity. Across the EU, the Digital Services Act (DSA) matured rapidly through layered guidance, platform designations and formal enforcement steps by the European Commission. See more on online safety here and here, and read our predictions for 2026 here.
The OSA regime began to bite during 2025:
In March, Ofcom set out its plans for the next three years and its plan for work for the coming year. Looking in particular at its online safety remit, Ofcom announced it would put in place regulatory requirements that fall on categorised services, publishing the register of categorised services this summer – however, this was delayed as a result of the Wikimedia Judicial Review (see below).
Ofcom's Final Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety was designated on 2 July 2025, having been laid in draft before Parliament on 8 May 2025. The SSP sets out the government's focus areas for online safety. Ofcom is required to have regard to them as it implements the Online Safety Act.
On 12 November 2025, Ofcom published its updated milestones for the next two years. Perhaps of most significance is the delay in publishing the list of categorised services. On 11 August 2025, the High Court dismissed Wikimedia's challenge to the Secretary of State's OSA Categorisation Regulations which set out threshold conditions for designation as categorised services under the OSA. Wikimedia argued that the criteria for Category 1 services were too broad and would lead to its Wikipedia services being categorised which might, in turn, make it impossible for it to operate. While the application for judicial review was turned down, Ofcom said it prompted a reconsideration of its plans for the categorisation register and the associated consultation on additional duties for categorised services. It will now carry out a representations process in early 2026 and publish the register and a consultation on additional duties in July 2026, a considerable delay from the original target of end of 2025 for the first phase, and one which was not well received by the Secretary of State.
Various pieces of secondary legislation were brought in to implement aspects of the OSA including:
Over the course of the year, a number of new priority offences were announced under the OSA and will be introduced under secondary legislation, with additional online safety offences also included in the Crime and Policing Bill. These include:
To help services comply with the OSA, and to inform secondary legislation, Ofcom had another busy year producing codes of practice, guidance, consultations and reports. Here are some of the highlights:
Ofcom got off to a flying start with enforcing the OSA. The initial focus has been on failure to respond to information requests, and use of age assurance, particularly by Part 5 services. Children's online safety is very much at the forefront of Ofcom's activities, with an active investigation into an online suicide forum, and Melanie Dawes said in October, that large platforms popular with children will be an enforcement focus for Ofcom going forward (see more here and here). Ofcom's enforcement activities during 2025 include:
The DSA regime is more embedded than the newer OSA regime but, nonetheless, we saw continued activity to support implementation and compliance.
In addition, and separate from the DSA:
Key enforcement developments related to the DSA included:
The main focus in tech and digital policy in the UK and EU during 2025 was to drive growth, with recent legislation playing an increasingly significant role, in particular, the UK's Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) and the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Notable tech and digital legislative developments not dealt with elsewhere in this update include:
There were a lot of policy papers and plans for developing digital technologies over the course of the year, including:
Quantum
On 28 April 2025, the UK government established a Quantum Regulators' Forum to bring together key regulators to coordinate oversight of emerging quantum technologies. The forum is made up of nine regulators including those on the DRCF plus the IPO, MHRA, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the Civil Aviation Authority and Ofgem. It is intended to address regulatory gaps and cross-sector challenges to the development and adoption of quantum technologies.
On 13 May, the government published a UK Quantum Skills Taskforce report. The taskforce considered the current and future skills needs of the sector and summarised its conclusions in the report. The report makes recommendations to support and inform future quantum programmes and policy development including attracting international talent and carrying out a landscape review of publicly funded PhD-level quantum skills activities.
IP rights exhaustion regime
The UK government announced that it intends to maintain the current 'UK+' exhaustion of rights regime: Certainty for businesses and choice for consumers as UK maintains IP rights regime. It means the UK is left with an asymmetric exhaustion regime, with goods legitimately put on the market in the EEA being able to flow freely into the UK but not vice versa (if there are IP rights in the way). This is the same regime the UK has been adopting since the end of the Brexit transition period so there is no change. The wider exhaustion regime remains the same – IP owners in the UK and EU can rely on their IP rights to prevent goods coming into the jurisdiction from outside of the EEA.
Automated vehicles
On 10 June 2025, the government published a call for evidence on its Automated vehicles: statement of safety principles – under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (AVA), the Secretary of State is required to prepare a Statement of Safety Principles. It also published a consultation on Automated vehicles: protecting marketing terms – the AVA protects certain terms from being used to market vehicles that have not been authorised as AVs. The consultation seeks views on which terms should be protected. The deadline for responses was 1 September 2025.
21 July 2025, the government published a consultation on next steps for the automated passenger services permitting scheme alongside draft legislation. Pilots for taxis, PHVs and bus-like services will begin in spring 2026. The consultation closed on 28 September 2025.
New cryptoasset regime
On 29 April 2025, the UK government published the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Cryptoassets) Order 2025 (Order) and an accompanying policy note. The Order sets out the framework for a new cryptoasset regulatory regime which will include crypto exchanges, dealers and agents. See here for more. On 28 May 2025, the FCA published consultation papers on stablecoins and crypto custody following on from the publication of draft crypto legislation. See here here for more. And see a range of more detailed articles on regulating crypto.
CAT rules against Apple in collective action
In the first successful collective action of its kind in the UK, the Competition Appeals Tribunal found that Apple had abused its dominant position by charging app developers unfair commission on app sales and in-app payments which resulted in developers charging higher prices to Apple device users when they made in-app payments. The collective action was brought by Dr Rachael Kent representing a class of around 36m Apple device users. The ruling paves the way for compensation claims by UK users of Apple devices who purchased paid-for apps, subscriptions or made in-app purchases at any point since 1 October 2015. Apple says it strongly disagrees with the ruling.
Supreme Court rulings on motor finance
On 1 August 2025, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment in three motor finance appeals: Hopcraft v Close Brothers Limited, Johnson v FirstRand Bank Limited (t/a MotoNovo Finance) and Wrench v FirstRand Bank Limited (t/a MotoNovo Finance). It allowed the appeals brought by lenders but upheld the unfair relationship claim brought by Mr Johnson. The main issue in the cases was whether motor dealers owed fiduciary duties, when arranging finance, to consumers to disclose commissions they earned from the financing providers, or whether the commissions constituted bribes or secret profits. The Supreme Court found the dealers did not owe fiduciary duties, however, it did uphold one claim under the Consumer Credit Act. Read more.
On 10 October 2025, the CMA confirmed its first strategic market status (SMS) designation under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), concluding that Google meets the legal tests for SMS in general search and search advertising services under the UK’s digital markets regime. On 22 October 2025, the CMA confirmed that Apple and Google have SMS in mobile platforms. See more.
Following market investigations, the CMA announced on 31 July 2025, that it would commence SMS investigations into AWS and Microsoft under its DMCCA powers. The market investigations led the CMA to conclude provisionally that there are features of the UK cloud services market which have adverse effects on competition, in particular, market concentration and barriers to entry. A decision on SMS is likely in early 2026.
The designations do not entail a finding of wrongdoing and do not introduce immediate requirements. The CMA published Roadmaps (Apple and Google) setting out proposed interventions and conduct requirements relating to their mobile operating systems in July 2025 for consultation. They focused on interoperability and app distribution. Finalised interventions on all SMS designations to date are yet to be published.
On 25 September 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority published its rules for the digital markets competition regime (SMS Levy) following a consultation. The section on the DMCCA, gives the CMA powers to charge a levy to firms designated with SMS. These rules establish the framework for the levy which applies from the chargeable year starting 1 April 2025. The levy is divided equally between SMS Firms, proportionate to their designation period. Litigation costs are specifically excluded from qualifying costs.
In May, the European Commission launched calls for evidence on its International Digital Strategy and the EU's Quantum Strategy as well as on its planned Cloud and AI Development Act. On 6 June 2025, the EC published a call for evidence on the proposal for a Digital Networks Act, and in October a call for evidence for an Impact Assessment regarding adoption of an EU Quantum Act.
On 21 October 2025, the European Commission published its 2026 Work Programme. There is a focus on simplifying EU law. Highlights in the tech space (with expected dates for proposals) include: a Circular Economy Act – Q3 2026; a Digital Fairness Act – Q4 2026 ; a Cloud and AI Development Act – Q1 2026 , and a Quantum Act – Q2 2026. Progression of ongoing proposals is also planned, including of the Green Claims and Late Payments Directive, and the Omnibus I and IV proposals.
On 19 November 2025, the EC published its Digital Omnibus proposals which will reform the EU AI Act, and its Data Acquis, in particular the GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive and the Data Act. Read more and see also the sections on AI and Data and cyber security.
The DMA is in full swing and has already come up for review. On 25 April 2025, the European Commission published its second annual report on the DMA. On 3 July 2025, the EC launched a consultation on the first review of the Digital Markets Act and on 26 August 2025, a call for evidence in relation to its review of the DMA. As part of this, it also published a questionnaire focusing on AI and competition and whether the DMA is effective in supporting a contestable and fair AI sector in the EU.
In 2025, there was notable enforcement action under the DMA, often with pushback from gatekeepers. This included:
This year saw a diverse range of regulatory and enforcement developments in consumer protection law in the UK and EU. Most notably, the bulk of the UK consumer protection reforms under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act came into application. The EU's plans for a Digital Fairness Act were, however, postponed, although it released its 2030 Consumer Agenda towards the end of the year.
Significant elements of the consumer aspects of the DMCCA came into force in 2025. On 4 March, the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No.2) Regulations 2025 (Regulations) were made. They brought in large parts of the consumer protection regime changes under the DMCCA, mostly from 6 April 2025, as follows: Part 3 on consumer law enforcement, the majority of Part 4, Chapter 1 – replacement of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading (CPUT) Regulations, Part 5, Chapter 3 – the duty of expedition on the CMA and sectoral regulators, and schedules and consequential amendments relating to the above sections. From 1 January 2026, (to the extent they are not in force immediately before that date), Part 4, Chapter 3 and related schedule 24, which deal with protection of consumer saving schemes (eg Christmas saving clubs) will come into effect. Implementation of the subscription contracts regime has, however, been delayed until autumn 2026 to give the government time to consider the responses to its consultation.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (CMA Consumer Enforcement Rules) Regulations 2025, came into force on 6 April 2025. The Regulations set out rules which apply when the CMA carries out an investigation into an infringement of consumer protection laws listed in Schedule 16 of the DMCCA. On 14 March 2025, the CMA published the final version of its CMA200 guidance which sets out how the CMA will use its direct consumer enforcement powers under the DMCCA.
On 27 March 2025, the CMA published its Annual Plan 2025-26. On 30 April 2025, the CMA published guidance on 'Delivering the 4Ps under the Digital Markets Competition Regime'. This sets out how the CMA will promote business trust and confidence, encourage investment and innovation, and deliver positive outcomes for UK businesses and consumers using the 4Ps (pace, predictability, proportionality and process). On 20 November 2025, the CMA published Strategy 2026-2029. This sets out the CMA's five strategic objectives for the next three years: promoting competition, championing consumers, helping government with pro-competition and growth interventions and initiatives, and fostering an attractive UK regulatory landscape to stimulate confidence and investment. Annual plans will set out how the strategy is to be implemented.
As the DMCCA regime came in, the CMA published a range of new and updated guidance including:
In addition, on 15 May 2025, the ASA published a quick guide to changes to misleading advertising rules as a result of the revised unfair commercial practices regime coming into effect under the DMCCA. The CAP and BCAP Codes were updated on 8 April 2025 when CAP and BCAP published the outcome of their consultation on changes to the advertising codes to tie in with the changes to the unfair commercial practices regime under the DMCCA. Other ASA resources are being updated where required.
For more detail on aspects of the DMCCA, see here.
While it was too early to see DMCCA-related consumer protection fines, this did not prevent enforcement of consumer protection law. Notably the event and secondary ticketing market and fake online reviews were a particular focus for the government and the CMA.
Fake online reviews
Fake reviews have been prohibited under the DMCCA since 6 April 2025. On 24 January 2025, the CMA announced it had secured undertakings from Google to help tackle the issue of fake online reviews. On 6 June 2026, the CMA announced Amazon has provided undertakings to help tackle fake reviews on its site. The undertakings are similar to those provided by Google in December 2024.
On 25 July 2025, the CMA published an update on enforcement of the new DMCCA rules on fake and misleading online reviews following the expiry of the grace period in July. A sweep of 100 websites revealed that more than half were non-compliant with the new rules. They either had no policy in place, or the policy was unclear or hard to find. The CMA is sending letters to non-compliant businesses which will be required to respond explaining what they will do to comply.
Online pricing practices
On 18 November 2025, the CMA launched investigations into eight businesses in relation to their use of fees, misleading time-limited offers, and/or the practice of automatically opting consumers in for optional charges. It sent a further 100 letters to businesses following a compliance sweep, asking 11 sectors including live event ticketing, online vouchers, fashion and food and drink delivery companies, to review their practices around additional fees and online sales tactics.
Ticketing and dynamic pricing
On 10 January 2025, the government launched a consultation on plans to tackle ticket touts and make ticket resales fairer and more transparent . The consultation closed on 4 April 2025. On 25 September 2025, the CMA announced undertakings secured from Ticketmaster following its investigation into the Oasis ticket sale (read more). Finally, in November, the government announced that it would ban the re-selling of event tickets at more than face value (with limited exemptions for charities) by any platform reselling tickets to UK consumers.
On 20 June 2025, the CMA published an update on its dynamic pricing project including tips for businesses using dynamic pricing. The CMA's concerns around dynamic pricing are centred on situations where consumers are unaware it is being used or of how it impacts pricing, where it pressures consumers into making quick decisions, where it is used to gain or maintain market power or create barriers to new market entrants, or where it impacts vulnerable consumers.
On 19 May 2025, the European Commission published a consultation on a Communication on the new Consumer Agenda 2025-30 and an action plan on consumers in the single market. The call for evidence and consultation were open until 11 August 2025. On 20 October 2025, the EC published a final summary report following the call for evidence on its Consumer Agenda 2025-30 and action plan on consumers in the Single Market, with the final version of the 2030 Consumer Agenda published on 19 November 2025. This centers on four pillars:
See our predictions on EU consumer protection and digital fairness here.
Digital Fairness Act
A key pillar of the Consumer Agenda is a proposed Digital Fairness Act. On 17 July 2025, the European Commission published a consultation and call for evidence on digital fairness. The intention is to gather views ahead of publication of a proposal for a Digital Fairness Act in Q4 of 2026. The consultation looks, in particular, at dark patterns, addictive design, unfair personalisation practices, harmful influencer practices, unfair marketing and digital contracts. It asks whether the EC should take steps including issuing guidance, enforcing existing rules or introducing new rules, as well as at potential simplification of the rules and enforcement. Towards the end of 2025, the EC confirmed that a Digital Fairness Act proposal will not be presented until Q4 2026.
Deforestation-free products
On 15 April 2025, the EC published a consultation on its proposals for a delegated Regulation to clarify the scope of the EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation (EUDR). It also published updated guidance and FAQs on how to demonstrate products are deforestation-free. The delegated Regulation will amend Annex I to clarify what products are not covered by the EUDR and to clarify circumstances in which packing materials are out of scope. On 22 May 2025, the EC published an Implementing Regulation setting out a list of high- and low-risk countries for the purposes of the Deforestation-free Products Regulation.
On 12 August 2025, guidance on the Deforestation-free Products Regulation was published in the Official Journal. The guidance is non-binding but clarifies key definitions, due diligence requirements, product scope and definitions relating to agricultural use.
On 20 October 2025, the European Commission proposed targeted measures to streamline implementation of the EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation. The proposal focuses on ensuring IT system readiness, reducing reporting for downstream operators and traders, and simplifying obligations for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries while maintaining traceability.
Other
For more on ESG and product developments in 2025, see here.
This year saw continued regulatory scrutiny across gambling and consumer protection regimes. The UK focused on online gambling practices and advertising standards, while the EU advanced enforcement cooperation through CPC and ICPEN. You can find many of these topics as well as industry developments discussed in our games and online gambling update, Play, but we look at some of the UK and EU key legal developments during 2025 below.
On 4 February 2025, the Gambling Commission announced new rules designed to empower consumers and boost operator transparency. The new rules follow a consultation and are consistent with the 2023 Gambling White Paper. Changes include:
The Gambling Levy Regulations were made on 25 February 2025 and come into force on 6 April 2025. Among other things they introduce a statutory gambling levy payable from 1 October 2025. The Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 were also made on 25 February 2025. They introduce a £5 online slot limit stake on over-25s from 9 April 2025 and a £2 limit for under-25s from 21 May 2025.
On 26 March 2025, the Gambling Commission announced new rules on gambling promotions to make them safer and simpler, including: a ban on mixed product promotions and a limit on bonus wagering requirements. The new rules will come into force on 19 December 2025.
Since 1 September 2025, the CAP Code has applied to non-paid-for online marketing communications targeted at UK consumers by advertisers subject to licensing conditions from a UK public authority or body. This means they must comply with the CAP Code even where the advertiser does not have a UK-registered address. Previously, the Code applied only to this kind of marketing where the advertiser did have a UK-registered address.
On 14 October 2025, CAP and BCAP published updated guidance on protecting under-18s in gambling and lotteries advertising. The guidance has been changed to reflect rulings, stakeholder input and research following the 2022 shift from a "particular appeal" test to a "strong appeal" test when assessing whether gambling adverts might unduly attract the attention of under-18s.
On 14 October 2025, Ofcom published guidance explaining how the Online Safety Act applies to online video game services, including user-to-user features such as chat, matchmaking, lobbies, team assignment and livestreaming, where services have links to the UK. Provider-created content remains out of scope except for online pornography. This is very high level and essentially points games businesses to relevant parts of the register of risks and guide for services.
On 26 June 2025, DCMS published research on prize draws and competitions (PDCs) looking at whether the government needs to legislate in this area. The research concludes that there is a case to suggest the government should intervene in this market to reduce gambling harm, increase the integrity and transparency of PDCs, and help protect donations to charities. Potential actions include bringing PDCs within the scope of gambling legislation, enforcing consumer protection law more effectively in the sector, or setting up a voluntary code of conduct.
On 25 September 2025, the DCMS published a rapid evidence review on skins gambling, examining betting with in-game virtual items and associated risks. The report is concerned that these activities are largely unregulated and that there is no age verification at point of risk so children and young people may be particularly vulnerable regardless of laws and regulations in specific jurisdictions. Recommended next steps include stronger age verification, stricter enforcement of age restrictions, and development of international standards to monitor and control skins gambling, alongside research on long-term harms and effective interventions.
On 20 November 2025, the government published a voluntary code good of practice for prize draw operators which focuses on player protection, transparency and accountability. Signatories have agreed to implement the code by 20 May 2026. The government will monitor its effectiveness and will consider other options including legislation if it is not effective.
On 26 November 2025, the government published a policy paper outlining changes to gambling duties as announced in the budget. Changes include:
2025 highlights include:
11. Dezember 2025
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