Beware of Unlicensed Operators

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You can apply online for a licence from us to provide casino activities. You will need to apply for an operating licence, before you apply for any premises licences. You will need to apply to the licensing authority the premises is located, to get a premises licence. The Gambling Act 2005 permits the advertising of gambling in all forms, provided that it is legal and there are adequate protections in place to prevent such advertisements undermining the licensing objectives. Under the second stage of the process the authority has to decide between the competing applications and grant any available licences to those applications which in their opinion will result in the greatest benefit to its area.

Rules introduced by the Gambling Commission in 2021 for online slots games mandate the display of money and time spent during a session. Players could also benefit from objective statements about their gambling activity rather than purely internal budgeting during sessions. In your view, is there any specific safer gambling messaging that should be considered within cashless gambling? As previously discussed, an optimal strategy to combat disassociation when gambling combines breaks in play with safer gambling messaging.

These responses highlighted the low-risk nature of these machines. Concerns were also expressed that the exposure of these machines to children may normalise gambling behaviour. Based on responses to the consultation, we will proceed with making it an offence for a person to invite, cause or permit a child or young person to use ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines. Most responses in favour of implementing these features on machines were in agreement with the rationale outlined in the consultation that it would help customers to make more informed decisions and keep track of their spending. However, some betting shop operators were aligned with the non-industry responses and believed that the session time and net position should be displayed at all times.

Following the UK Government’s Gambling White Paper, UKGC licensing requirements were significantly strengthened in 2025–2026. On a properly licensed site, clicking the UKGC logo will link you directly to that operator’s register entry. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the statutory regulator for all gambling in Great Britain. In July 2026, the Gambling Commission faced backlash for newly announced affordability and responsible gambling checks, which critics described as “rushed, flawed and hugely problematic”.

Allowing direct use of debit cards on gaming machines – made negative statutory instrument. This response provides non-remote gambling operators with clear notice of our intention to introduce the measures set out within this government response. This licence is for existing casinos which were originally licensed under the Gaming Act 1968 (opens in new tab).

(a)the non-gambling area may consist of one or more areas within the premises, In this Part, where premises are required to contain a non-gambling area— In this Part, in determining the floor area of the gambling area of premises, all areas in which facilities for gambling are provided on the premises must be taken into account. Licensed casinos must follow the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) code. Every game featured by a UK-licensed casino must meet strict standards of fairness.

This could include looking at how customers interact with machines that accept cashless payments, how much they spend and the impact of different protections. We also strongly disagree with the assertion that Category D crane grab machines should not have a maximum transaction limit. They also said that there should not be a maximum transaction limit on Category D crane grab machines.

Beware of Unlicensed Operators

• The Gambling Commission is an executive, non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for regulating gambling and supervising gaming law in Great Britain.
• This measure will also bring greater consistency to the different licensing regimes and greater parity between online and land-based casinos.
• The legislative changes allow for betting to be offered as an activity in converted casino premises.
• The government will allow direct debit card payments on gaming machines through a made negative statutory instrument, which will also include some of the player protection measures outlined in this chapter, such as the account verification requirement for each transaction.

UK licensing demands preparation. Our ultimate gaming license guide compares timing and requirements across jurisdictions. Annual fees start at £3,155 for basic remote licenses. Getting licensed is the easy part. Approved operators receive their license certificate and unique license number.

The Act gives the UKGC broad powers to oversee license applications, enforce compliance, and punish operators who break the rules. These regulations determine how sites operate, how they market to you, and how they handle your data and money. Only a UKGC license meets the strict casino regulation standards required in the United Kingdom. Even if a site holds a casino license from another country, such as Curaçao or Malta, that license does not make it legal for UK players.

Remote casino game host operating licence

Robust AML casino laws safeguard the industry’s integrity. Staff must be trained to spot these signs, and operators face fines or license loss for failing to report. These steps deter money laundering and protect against underage gambling, ensuring a secure environment for all players. Independent bodies like eCOGRA test RNGs and ensure games meet casino compliance standards. Tools like self-exclusion programs allow players to block themselves from gambling, while deposit and time limits help manage spending. This legislation governs every aspect of casino operations, from game mechanics to player interactions, and non-compliance risks hefty fines or license revocation.

What a missing or unverifiable licence really means for your money. The Secretary of State may by order vary the limits on the numbers of different categories of casino, or lift the limits altogether. This does not prevent the licensing authority imposing conditions on such matters under section 169, subject to any mandatory conditions which the Secretary of State may prescribe under section 167. Provision of facilities for bingo may not be made in a small casino, but the Secretary of State has power to repeal this restriction by order.

UK online casinos are required by law to keep their responsible gambling resources easily accessible for its users. LicensedUK online casinoshave their own dedicated responsible gambling sections available. The ancillary licence does not authorise a remote link with gaming that takes place on another set of premises. With the exception of the previously stated restricted circumstances, any other provision of facilities for remote gambling will require a remote casino operating licence. It was created in 2001, and it oversees both land-based and online gambling operators licensed in Malta.

The flat additional application fee payable for a licence that combines all three activities is £3,360. Subsequently, you’ll also see the status of their licence updated in the public register. There you can search up the operator, the licence number and the parent company. You can also make use of our page banners to find some of our favourite brands that have been licensed by the UKGC and are available to UK players. In this guide we’ve outlined how you can easily confirm an operator’s licence and a few extra steps you can take to make sure that you’re only ever playing at a duly regulated site.

This free service is mandatory for all remote licensees. Look for a statement such as “Licensed by the Gambling Commission” with an accompanying licence number. Follow these steps to confirm an operator holds a valid UKGC licence Always verify an operator’s licence before depositing funds. Note that Northern Ireland has separate gambling legislation and is not within the Commission’s jurisdiction. See which bonus structures are compliant and how new regulations protect British players.

Online Casinos List

Offences cover the unlicensed offer of gambling, the unlicensed use of premises for gambling, the promotion or facilitation of a lottery and so on. In contrast with some jurisdictions, only casinos form part of the “regulated sector” for AML purposes, though all operators are required to conduct detailed risk assessments and implement AML policies, procedures and controls. Since 1 May 2025, operators have only been allowed to directly market to customers that have consented to marketing on a granular per product (i.e., casino, bingo, betting) and per channel (i.e., SMS, email) basis and, in January 2026, further rules will take effect on the offer of incentives.

This means that many FEC operators do not currently have age-controlled areas and would have to invest in creating such an area for what is a low stake product. Secondly, it would be costly as most family entertainment centres (FECs) are unlicensed and do not offer Category C products. This view was most strongly argued by licensing authorities. We will also work with the relevant trade bodies and operators to understand the feasibility of implementing voluntary test purchasing to help understand whether operators are abiding by this new restriction.

These respondents would prefer to see table games as the most common activity under a casino licence, highlighting that table games are more likely to lead to breaks in play. An examination of the responses shows that respondents were of the view that the maximum entitlement would apply per licence, with no restrictions on the overall maximum per physical location. More respondents were opposed than in favour, but this largely stemmed from those who are opposed to any increases in the supply of gambling opportunities, rather than operators and industry stakeholders. Subsequent discussions with industry have indicated that this would equate to the majority of casinos in practice. Seven operators replied to this section of the consultation, some of which account for multiple venues and a significant proportion of the land-based casino non gamestop casinos sector.

(3) In Part 5 of Schedule 1 (mandatory conditions attaching to converted casino premises licences)— (2) In paragraph 2(1) of Part 4 of Schedule 1 (mandatory conditions attaching to small casino premises licences), for “500m²” substitute “250m²”. (2) In section 172 (gaming machines), in subsection (5)(b)(i), for “twice” substitute “5 times”. The Gambling Commission’s Notice essentially makes clear that those B2B operators have a role in assisting the Gambling Commission in tackling unlicensed gambling in the British market and that such B2Bs place their own licence at risk by not taking sufficient steps to ensure that its content is only made available to British consumers via licensed B2C websites.

Offshore licences, such as Curacao or Anjouan, are far lighter than a UK Gambling Commission licence. Search the UK Gambling Commission public register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register. Finding out, after the fact, that a site was never UK-licensed can be a sickening moment, especially if you had self-excluded or were gambling far beyond your means.

Some parts of the regulatory framework for casinos are reserved while other aspects are devolved. These types of products do not provide any of the benefits of a casino gaming table in contributing to a balanced mix of products or affording opportunities for social interaction. These Regulations make amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 (opens in new tab) (the 2009 Regulations) to alter what constitutes a “gaming table” in a casino for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Gambling Act 2005. 1 This condition only applies to converted casinos that choose to exercise the extended entitlement.

He specialises in gambling regulation and intellectual property law. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. It also covers licence conditions, variation and termination of each licence together with reforms introduced by the Commission. Search by name, licence or account number Our experts will be happy to help you navigate the complexities of obtaining a UK gambling license, determine which licenses you need, and avoid unnecessary costs.

Regulation 9 also sets committed payment limits, money which cannot be refunded to the player once it is paid or transferred onto the machine’s credit or play meter. Regulation 7 of the Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007 sets the financial (payment) limit on the amount a person can deposit on a machine in a single action. The need to future-proof the land-based gambling sector provides the rationale for change. Consumer preferences therefore indicate that cashless would need to complement, rather than replace, cash as a gambling payment method.

An existing licensed 1968 Act casino operator already holds an operating licence for remote betting and wishes to make use of the new Regulations to provide SSBT facilities in its casino. An existing licensed 1968 Act casino operator already holds an operating licence for non-remote betting and wishes to make use of the new Regulations to provide non-remote sports betting facilities in its casino (without providing any Self- Service Betting Terminal (SSBT) facilities). It will not be possible for a casino licensee to rely on an ancillary remote betting licence, even where SSBTs are available alongside a non-remote offering, as the ancillary remote betting licence is bound to a betting premises licence. To offer self-service betting terminals (SSBTs), casinos would be required to apply for a remote general betting (standard) (real events) licence. Licence holders should also consider whether, as a result of the changes and gambling facilities offered, an operating licence (OL) variation is required with regards to fee category and/or the licensed activities being offered (such as betting).

A low number of premises visits may also be indicative of the lack of funding received by licensing authorities to fully undertake duties, such as inspections, alongside other administrative and enforcement functions. However, premises visits are only one aspect of a licensing authorities regulatory work. A number of these responses acknowledged the financial pressures placed on licensing authorities, which was reflected by the substantial number of industry responses that advocated for a 10% increase. A key stated benefit was the ability to undertake more proactive engagement and enforcement activities with licensed premises.