GAN surrenders UKGC licence as Sega Sammy restructures international operations
Licence surrendered on 4 November amid steep UK revenue decline and global downsizing.
Key Takeaways
- GAN surrendered its UK Gambling Commission Remote Gambling Software licence on 4 November, ending more than 15 years of UK operations.
- Sega Sammy reported ¥10.8bn (€52m) in sales at GAN and a ¥2.2bn operating loss in the quarterly disclosure two days after the surrender.
- UK revenues fell 61% to £6.13m between 2024 and 2025, with pre‑tax losses approaching £10m.
- Sega Sammy enacted global cuts including 66 roles in June and plans a further 27 reductions to achieve $9.7m in annual savings.
- GAN is refocusing on the US B2B market, migrating clients to a standardised V2 platform and closing Silverback Gaming.
GAN surrendered its UK Gambling Commission Remote Gambling Software licence on 4 November, ending more than 15 years of regulated UK activity that began with a 2009 licence grant. The surrender was executed as part of a wider corporate restructuring at parent company Sega Sammy; two days later Sega Sammy's quarterly disclosure reported ¥10.8bn (€52m) in sales at GAN and a ¥2.2bn operating loss.
Licence surrender and UK exit
The UK Gambling Commission register records the Remote Gambling Software licence surrender on 4 November. GAN's British subsidiary originally secured the licence in 2009 and had operated in the UK market since 2002, first offering real‑money online skill gaming competitions before moving into B2B software and content distribution. The company's London office has closed and Sega Sammy removed the location from its corporate hub listings.
Financial deterioration and headcount changes
Companies House filings show UK revenues fell 61%, leaving reported UK sales at £6.13m between 2024 and 2025. Pre‑tax losses in the UK escalated to almost £10m. Sega Sammy's global restructuring already included a June reduction of 66 roles across its operations, with a further 27 staff reductions scheduled in the financial year ending March 2027 to secure estimated annual cost savings of $9.7m. Coolbet, a B2C brand within the group, placed 131 roles at risk at its Estonian headquarters amid weakening B2B results and regulatory pressure.
Strategic refocus and technology migration
GAN is repositioning its business around the United States B2B market and expanding from Nevada into additional states while deepening ties with tribal casino operators. The supplier is migrating clients to a standardised V2 platform for B2B sports betting and casino, retiring legacy systems and closing overlapping product lines. As part of the rationalisation, GAN is shutting down its Bulgarian and UK online casino content developer subsidiary, Silverback Gaming.
The corporate plan elevates simulated and social gaming and land‑based casino expansion alongside proprietary content from Sega Sammy's video games division. Management describes an aim to create an omnichannel supplier combining GAN technology with Stakelogic games and Sega Sammy Creation physical casino products. The company intends the V2 rollout to standardise offerings across its remaining B2B customers and reduce duplicated management structures.
Implications for partners
Partners will see client migrations to the V2 platform and the closure of Silverback Gaming; GAN has signalled the US market and land‑based integrations as priority channels for future growth. The surrender of the UK licence formalises GAN's withdrawal from the UK regulated software market and accompanies the closure of its London presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did GAN surrender its UK Gambling Commission licence?
GAN surrendered its UK Gambling Commission Remote Gambling Software licence on 4 November. The surrender appears on the UK regulator's public register and follows more than 15 years of licensed activity since the 2009 grant.
What financial results accompanied the licence surrender?
Sega Sammy's quarterly disclosure, published two days after the licence surrender, reported ¥10.8bn (€52m) in sales at GAN and a ¥2.2bn operating loss. Companies House filings show UK revenues fell 61% to £6.13m between 2024 and 2025 and pre‑tax losses near £10m.
Which roles and offices have been affected by the restructuring?
Sega Sammy cut 66 roles in June and has scheduled a further 27 reductions in the financial year ending March 2027 to secure $9.7m in annual savings. GAN's London office has closed and Coolbet placed 131 roles at risk at its Estonian headquarters.
What strategic direction will GAN pursue after the exit from the UK?
GAN will prioritise the United States B2B market, expanding from Nevada into other states and working with tribal casino operators. The company is migrating clients to a standardised V2 platform and emphasising simulated/social gaming and land‑based casino integrations.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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