On 21 October 2025, HM Treasury announced that all anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) supervision for professional services firms will be consolidated under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This reform means approximately 60,000 legal and accountancy businesses will shift from oversight by 23 different organisations to a single central regulator. The move is intended to streamline supervision, create more consistent oversight, and strengthen the UK’s response to financial crime. The new regime is expected to come into effect following new legislation in 2026. [Source]
The FCA highlighted the benefits of this change, stating: “We recognise the benefits of an improved regime for anti-money laundering supervision. These changes will simplify the supervision of professional services, ensure more consistent oversight and help us identify and disrupt crime.” The regulator also emphasised the importance of collaboration, noting it will work closely with HM Treasury, OPBAS (the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision), HMRC, and relevant professional bodies to ensure a smooth transition and effective future regulation.
According to the FCA, the new approach will increase opportunities for cooperation with law enforcement and strengthen efforts to combat financial crime nationwide. The Authority added: “The FCA operates nationwide and we anticipate having a significant presence for this new regime in our offices outside of London.”
| Main Change | Expected Impact | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Centralisation of AML/CTF supervision under FCA | Consistent oversight, streamlined processes, improved crime detection | Following new legislation in 2026 |
Key Points for UK Casino Players:
- Greater regulatory consistency may enhance trust in payment providers and legal/accountancy support services for casinos.
- Faster interventions are expected when financial crime is detected, potentially reducing risks linked to money laundering activities.
- Professional service firms working with online casinos must adapt to FCA standards for AML/CTF compliance.
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