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Ex-UK Regulator Tim Miller Launches GamReg Consulting: A New Front in the Fight Against Illegal Gambling

By jili tutorial · September 24, 2026

Ex-UK Regulator Tim Miller Launches GamReg Consulting: A New Front in the Fight Against Illegal Gambling

Introduction: A Shift in the Regulatory Landscape

In a significant development for the global gambling industry, Tim Miller — the former Executive Director of the UK Gambling Commission — has entered the private consultancy world. His new venture, GamReg Consulting, is a specialist advisory firm aimed at helping governments, regulators, and other stakeholders navigate the growing complexities of gambling regulation. While it remains unclear whether “others” includes gambling operators and suppliers, Miller has made one thing crystal clear: addressing the illegal gambling black market will be a core pillar of the new business.

Miller, who resigned from the Gambling Commission in late June 2026, serves as the Managing Director of GamReg Consulting. His move reflects a broader trend: top regulatory figures are increasingly leaving public service to offer their expertise to both public and private sectors. But what exactly does this consultancy aim to achieve, and why does it matter?

Who Is Tim Miller? A Background in Regulating Gambling

Before launching GamReg Consulting, Miller spent years as a senior figure at the Gambling Commission. During his tenure, he focused heavily on:

Miller’s work around the black market became especially prominent in his final years at the Commission. He frequently highlighted the role of Big Tech—particularly social media platforms and search engines—in enabling unlicensed gambling operations. In his own words on the iGaming Daily podcast, shortly before his departure:

“The Big Tech companies, particularly social media platforms and search engines, have such an essential role to play here. And actually they don’t play their role significantly, and they’re not at the moment, and it massively undermines the efforts the rest of us are putting in place.”

This perspective will likely shape the consultancy’s approach significantly.

The Core Mission: Combating the Illegal Gambling Black Market

A Growing Global Concern

The illegal gambling market is not a niche issue. It spans:

Regulators worldwide are struggling to keep pace. According to Miller:

“Regulators everywhere are dealing with fast-moving markets alongside heightened expectations. They need practical, credible approaches that keep players safe while supporting a compelling consumer offer.”

GamReg Consulting aims to fill that gap by providing evidence-based strategies that go beyond traditional enforcement.

The Role of Big Tech and Social Media

One of the most controversial aspects of Miller’s stance is his criticism of Big Tech. He argues that platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Meta’s Facebook, and Instagram actively promote illegal gambling operations through targeted ads and influencer marketing. Despite regulatory pressure, these companies have not sufficiently cracked down on such content, undermining legitimate licensing frameworks.

The consultancy will likely advise governments on how to:

Government Funding and Policy Alignment

Miller’s anti-black market focus gained traction after the UK government allocated an extra £26 million to the Gambling Commission in the Autumn 2024 budget. This funding was specifically earmarked for combating illegal gambling. The same budget also introduced a new tax framework for gambling, signalling a broader regulatory tightening.

Miller has since criticised simplistic regulatory responses:

“In this challenging environment, successful regulatory systems will not be built on simplistic, blunt approaches like ever-increasing tax hikes or blanket prohibitions. Tomorrow’s best in class regulation will be evidence-led, outcomes-focused and technology-driven.”

GamReg Consulting: Strategy and Services

A Holistic Approach to Market Integrity

GamReg Consulting intends to offer a three-pronged strategy:

  1. Regulation — Designing frameworks that are practical, enforceable, and consumer-friendly.
  2. Industry Practice — Working with operators to align business models with regulatory goals.
  3. Technology Solutions — Leveraging AI, data analytics, and age-verification tools to combat illegal activity.

Miller describes this as helping clients “turn ambition into regulation that protects consumers, commands industry confidence and works in the real world.”

Targeting International Markets

Although Miller’s regulatory experience is rooted in the UK, GamReg Consulting is a global advisory firm. The company states that it has already been building relationships in North America — particularly in jurisdictions where gambling regulation is expanding or being modernized.

This international focus aligns with the global nature of the illegal gambling market. Unlicensed operators often cross borders with ease, exploiting gaps between national regulatory systems. Miller’s team will likely advise on cross-border cooperation, shared intelligence, and harmonised standards.

Who Will the Clients Be?

While “governments and regulators” are explicitly in scope, the phrase “and others” remains ambiguous. It could include:

The consultancy’s success may depend on its ability to serve both public and private clients without any perceived conflict of interest. Miller’s previous role at the Gambling Commission gives him deep insight, but also raises questions about how he will navigate potential ethical boundaries.

Parallel Paths: The Trend of Ex-Regulators Entering Consultancy

Miller is not the first senior Gambling Commission figure to make this transition. Andrew Rhodes, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, left in May 2026 and joined Hawkbridge, an international strategic advisory firm, the following month.

This pattern suggests that regulatory experience is in high demand. As gambling markets become more complex — with new technologies, evolving consumer habits, and persistent illegal activity — both governments and commercial players are seeking guidance from those who have shaped the rules themselves.

However, this trend also sparks debate:

Conclusion: What This Means for the Industry

Tim Miller’s move into consultancy signals that the fight against illegal gambling is entering a new, more sophisticated phase. Rather than relying solely on enforcement or tax measures, the next generation of regulation may combine technology, data, and international collaboration to steer consumers toward licensed markets.

GamReg Consulting aims to be at the forefront of that shift. Whether it succeeds will depend on how well it can navigate the tensions between protecting consumers, supporting industry innovation, and maintaining regulatory integrity.

For now, one thing is clear: the battle against the black market is far from over — and the expertise of former regulators like Miller and Rhodes will be a sought-after commodity in shaping how that battle is fought.