Former Gambling Commission executive Tim Miller launches GamReg Consulting

By jili tutorial · September 24, 2026

GamReg Consulting: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Gambling Regulation in a Rapidly Changing World

Introduction: A New Era in Gambling Regulation

On 23 September 2026, Tim Miller, the former Executive Director of Policy and Research at the UK Gambling Commission, launched GamReg Consulting. This UK-based advisory firm is designed to help governments, regulators, and supporting organisations respond to the unprecedented pace of change in the global gambling sector. With a focus on practical, technology-driven solutions, GamReg aims to bridge the gap between regulatory ambition and real-world implementation.

This guide expands on the announcement, providing deeper context on the challenges facing regulators, the strategic approach of GamReg Consulting, and the lessons that can be drawn from Miller’s quarter-century of regulatory experience. Whether you are a policymaker, a regulator, or a stakeholder in the gambling industry, this guide offers actionable insights for building safer, more effective regulatory systems.

Section 1: The Genesis of GamReg Consulting

1.1 Tim Miller’s Legacy at the Gambling Commission

Miller spent a decade at the UK Gambling Commission, culminating in his role as Executive Director of Policy and Research. He was instrumental in implementing the Gambling Act Review White Paper, a landmark reform that reshaped British gambling laws. He also oversaw the development and launch of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, a critical tool for evidence-based policymaking. His departure in September 2026 marked the second senior exit from the Commission that year, following Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes’ departure in April 2026.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the launch, Miller noted that he had worked in regulation for a quarter of a century—a career that uniquely positions him to understand both the aspirations and the practical constraints of regulators worldwide.

1.2 Why GamReg Consulting Was Created

The launch press release states the firm’s aim: “to help connect regulatory ambition with the technology, systems, and insight needed to achieve it.” Miller himself explained:

“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 has been created to help organisations navigate that complexity with confidence.”

This directly addresses a growing tension: regulators are under pressure to protect consumers and combat illegal gambling, yet many have been relying on blunt instruments such as tax increases or outright bans—strategies Miller explicitly warns against.

Section 2: Core Mission – Tackling Illegal Gambling Markets

2.1 The Scale of the Problem

Illegal gambling operators—often unlicensed, unregulated, and based in jurisdictions with weak oversight—pose a significant threat to player safety, tax revenue, and the integrity of the licensed market. Miller highlighted that a key focus of GamReg will be helping governments and regulators build stronger frameworks to address this risk.

Example: In the UK, the Gambling Commission has taken enforcement action against unlicensed operators targeting British consumers, but the problem persists globally. Operators based in grey-market jurisdictions can offer higher bonuses, fewer restrictions, and anonymous payment methods, tempting players away from licensed sites.

2.2 The “Licensed Market” Incentive Strategy

GamReg Consulting will advise on how to align regulation, industry practice, and technology solutions so that consumers have strong incentives to remain in the licensed market. This involves:

User experience: Making licensed platforms as convenient and engaging as illegal ones.
Payment controls: Using technology to block or flag payments to unlicensed operators.
Data sharing: Enabling regulators and licensed operators to collaborate on real-time player protection.

Context: This approach moves beyond simple prohibition. For example, Sweden’s gambling regulator has implemented a payment-blocking system to restrict unlicensed transactions, while also streamlining the licensing process for legal operators—a balanced strategy that GamReg may advocate.

Section 3: Strategic Approach – Aligning Regulation, Industry, and Technology

3.1 The Triple Alignment Model

GamReg’s philosophy is built on the idea that successful regulation requires three pillars to work in harmony:

Pillar	Role	Example
Regulation	Set clear, enforceable rules that are adaptive to change	Risk-based licensing tiers
Industry practice	Ensure operators implement responsible gambling measures beyond compliance	Mandatory affordability checks, deposit limits
Technology	Leverage tools like AI, blockchain, and real-time analytics to enable both	KYC automation, anomaly detection

Without alignment, regulators risk creating rules that are unenforceable, or industry practices that are easily bypassed by illegal operators.

3.2 Practical Credibility Over Simplistic Approaches

Miller’s quote is central here: “successful regulatory systems will not be built on simplistic, blunt approaches like ever-increasing tax hikes or blanket prohibitions.” Why? Because:

Tax hikes can drive licensed operators out of business or push them into the illegal market.
Blanket prohibitions (e.g., banning online casino slots) often fail to reduce demand, instead shifting it to unmonitored channels.

Case in point: Australia’s 2020 ban on in-play betting in retail venues led to a surge in illegal offshore betting apps. A more nuanced approach—such as allowing regulated in-play with strict technology controls—might have kept consumers safer.

Section 4: Geographic Expansion – North America First, Global by 2027

4.1 Early Focus: North American Partnerships

GamReg has already started working with partners in North America. The region is experiencing rapid regulatory change as more US states and Canadian provinces legalise sports betting and iGaming. Regulators there face challenges including:

Harmonising state-level rules with federal oversight.
Combatting a well-established illegal market (e.g., unlicensed offshore sportsbooks).
Integrating new technology like cashless gaming and AI-driven player protection.

G2E Appearance: As part of the launch, Miller will speak at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, focusing on technology shifts affecting the future of gaming and betting. He will also be available for one-on-one discussions with regulators, policymakers, and companies involved in supporting effective regulation.

4.2 International Expansion into 2027

The firm plans to begin supporting other international stakeholders in 2027. This includes jurisdictions across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where regulatory frameworks are often evolving in disparate ways.

Conference Engagement: Miller has been listed as a keynote speaker and conference chair for Regulating the Game 2027, held in Sydney from 8–10 March 2027 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. This event will provide a platform to share learnings from the North American engagements and to build a global network of regulatory best practice.

Section 5: Tim Miller’s Regulatory Philosophy – Lessons for Stakeholders

5.1 Evidence-Based Policy

Drawing from his work on the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, Miller emphasises that regulation must be grounded in robust data, not political expediency. Regulators should invest in:

Longitudinal studies of gambling behaviour.
Real-time monitoring of player activity using operator data.
Independent evaluations of harm minimisation measures.

5.2 Collaborative Approach

Rather than adversarial relationships, GamReg advocates for public-private partnerships where regulators and operators co-create solutions. For example, developing shared technology standards for age verification or self-exclusion schemes.

5.3 Long-Term Vision

Miller’s quarter-century in regulation has shown that quick fixes rarely work. He promotes iterative, test-and-learn frameworks that allow jurisdictions to pilot new rules before full implementation—a strategy already used by the UK Gambling Commission for its reform programme.

Section 6: How GamReg Consulting Can Help You

Whether you are a:

Government ministry drafting new gambling legislation,
National regulator struggling with illegal market penetration,
Technology supplier looking to align your product with regulatory needs,
Industry trade body seeking best-practice guidelines,

GamReg Consulting offers:

Service	Description
Strategic advisory	Custom roadmaps for regulatory reform
Technology assessment	Evaluating tools to support enforcement and player protection
Stakeholder workshops	Bringing together regulators, operators, and tech firms
International benchmarking	Comparative analysis of successful jurisdictions

The firm is intentionally independent, having been created outside the British-regulated gambling industry to maintain neutrality.

Conclusion: A Practical Path Forward

The launch of GamReg Consulting comes at a time when the global gambling sector faces its most significant transformation in decades. From the explosion of online betting to the challenge of unregulated cryptocurrency casinos, regulators need partners who understand both the regulatory theory and the operational reality.

Tim Miller’s track record and the firm’s focus on combining regulation, industry practice, and technology offer a credible alternative to the blunt instruments of the past. As he prepares to take the stage at G2E and later in Sydney, the message is clear: complexity cannot be met with simplistic solutions—it requires sophisticated, collaborative, and technology-enabled frameworks.

For any organisation grappling with how to keep players safe while fostering a competitive licensed market, GamReg Consulting provides the practical credibility that the sector urgently needs.