IG Group applies for UK gambling licence, plans politics, entertainment, sports markets
The trading group told investors its IG Consumer division aims to offer markets on politics, entertainment and sports from early 2027, with a financial prediction-markets product for UK professional clients due in the fourth quarter. The Gambling Commission's register lists the application as pending.
IG Group Holdings plc said on 22 October 2026 that its IG Consumer division has submitted an application for a UK gambling licence, with plans to add markets on politics, entertainment and sports from early 2027, alongside a fourth-quarter 2026 launch of financial prediction markets for UK professional clients.
The financial prediction markets form part of IG’s unified proposition, which combines trading, investing and crypto on one platform and is now live in the UK, with rollout across the wider IG Consumer division to follow.
The Gambling Commission’s public register lists IG View Limited under account number 102436, with a head office at 88 Wood Street, London.
The entry shows one activity, a remote General Betting Standard – Real Event licence, listed as an application or variation in progress with a status of pending; the register lists no granted licence for the company.
The Commission states that a remote licence is needed whenever players are offered gambling online or by other remote means, and also where gambling equipment is located in Great Britain.
Capital Markets Event and strategy
The application was disclosed in a regulatory announcement for IG’s Capital Markets Event for investors and analysts, taking place at UBS, 5 Broadgate, London.
IG set out the priorities resulting from the strategic review it announced on 19 March 2026, together with an updated capital allocation framework and its maintained medium-term guidance.
Its stated vision is a leading international platform for active investors where trading, investing and entertainment converge.
CEO Breon Corcoran said: “Trading, investing and entertainment are converging, and IG is well placed to capitalise on the opportunity.”
Proposed Underdog acquisition
IG said its proposed acquisition of Underdog, a US operator in fantasy sports and prediction markets, is on track for completion in late 2026 or early 2027.
On completion, Underdog is expected to give the combined group a medium-term revenue growth rate higher than IG’s standalone organic rate, while the pro forma group’s EBITDA margin would start below IG’s standalone margin.
Q3 2026 trading
IG’s Q3 2026 disclosure showed total revenue of £240.5 million, 14% lower than a year earlier and 21% below the prior quarter, and net trading revenue of £212.3 million, down 15% year-on-year.
IG kept its 2026 guidance unchanged: year-on-year total revenue growth of a mid-single-digit percentage, and a group EBITDA margin within a low-40s per cent range, excluding roughly £30 million of one-off redomicile and restructuring expenses plus Underdog acquisition costs that are contingent on closing.
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