Age, ID and financial verification
These options supplanted their stated preference for Option 1 in the original consultation. The majority of responses received came from respondents within the bingo and arcade sectors. Do you have any additional insights or evidence relating to recent trends in GGY, profit and costs for bingo and AGC operators? The 2 additional options consulted were Option 2(a) and Option 2(b).
A range of gambling activities are already authorised by the Act, by existing Regulations and some are further added by the new Regulations which came into force on 22 July 2025. The licence holder does not have to take any action other than make sure it adjusts its operation to deliver the changes included in the Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (opens in new tab). The operator can do so without having to make an application to vary its OL (given that betting facilities are permitted by Regulation). More information on licence applications is available from the Commission’s webpage Operating Licences. Converted casino licensees are advised that those wishing to utilise the new extended entitlements will need to inform the Commission under the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice (LCCP) Ordinary Code Provision 8.1.1 (Information requirements).
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is a respected EU regulator — many good operators hold both — but on its own it doesn’t provide UK-specific protections like GAMSTOP. If gambling itself is causing difficulty, please see our responsible gambling page for free, confidential support. UK licensing conditions have tightened significantly, making Britain one of the most protective markets in the world. Each of our reviews lists the operator and licence number, verified on the public register. Casinos must verify you’re 18+ and confirm your identity (KYC), which protects against under-age gambling and fraud, and keeps your account secure.
They cover areas including random number generation, game integrity, player account management, and responsible gambling tools. The LCCP is updated periodically; licence holders are expected to monitor and implement changes as they come into effect. The LCCP, issued under Section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005, is the central compliance document for all UKGC licence holders. The primary legislation governing gambling in Great Britain is the Gambling Act 2005.
Currently, no more than 20% of the total number of gaming machines on these premises can be Category B; the remaining machines must be of a lower category (i.e. C or D). Furthermore, we do not consider that providing software to customers in licensed casino premises, which the customers download onto their own devices to participate in remote gambling, falls within the scope of the casino ancillary licence provided for by the Fees Regulations. In order for converted casino operators to take advantage of the new entitlements for gaming machines, the casino must contain a table gaming area.
In all these cases, UKGC rules require operators to act transparently and handle complaints by following published procedures. For example, a player may report unfair or confusing terms and conditions, such as very low betting limits or too many games being restricted. One of the most common reasons players complain is that a casino is claiming that the player has broken its terms or rules and is therefore withholding the player’s winnings. However, if that does not work, then players must provide documents such as a passport, driving licence, or utility bill.
What impact would Options 1, 2 and 3 have on the overall number of Category B, C and D gaming machines? We will use the responses to this consultation as well as wider engagement with the sector to gather data to estimate the likely uptake of additional machines and removal of existing machines under each option. Adherence to ‘available for use’ guidance is a key mechanism for ensuring a genuine balance of higher and lower stake gaming machines across arcade and bingo venues. The Commission updated its ‘available for use’ guidance to highlight that gaming machines should only be counted as being available for use if each machine can be played simultaneously by different players without physical hindrance.
The Gambling Act 2005 created a partnership between the Gambling Commission and 368 licensing authorities in England, Wales and Scotland for the regulation of land-based gambling. Licensing authorities have an important regulatory role alongside the Gambling Commission in licensing local premises. Please upload any further evidence or any other information that should be considered as part of this consultation relating to an age limit on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines. Should it be a criminal offence for a person to invite, cause or permit children or young persons to play on these machines? What measures, if any, do you think venues should adopt to ensure that no under-18s play on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines if the age limit is introduced? Should ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines be required to move to age-restricted areas in venues?
Our team of experts have compiled this guide to help you further understand The UK Gambling Commission and how it benefits your casino experience. Casinos licensed by the UKGC (Gambling Commission) are known for their strict adherence to high-quality regulatory standards. It is based on your gross gambling yield. The statutory levy is a mandatory payment that funds research, education, and treatment related to gambling harm. For small operators, fees start at £4,224, with higher annual fees for bigger operators.
Licensing & business regulation
It is intended as an informational reference for operators, compliance professionals, and researchers. This guide covers the legal framework, licence types, application process, fees, ongoing compliance obligations, and the significant regulatory reforms that have reshaped the UK market between 2023 and 2026. With 2,662 active non gamstop casino operator records tracked in the Gambling License Register, the UK represents the largest single jurisdiction in this database by licence count. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous gambling regulators in the world. You can now view the full LCCP online, search, save, or print it off. The Licence conditions and codes of practice set out the requirements all licensees must meet in order to hold a Gambling Commission licence.
Subsequent annual fees are due on each anniversary of the licence issue date. The first annual fee is due 30 days after the licence is issued and is reduced by 25%. In 2024–25, 3,491 personal licence applications were submitted, with 95% processed within eight weeks. Personal licence applications require identity documentation, address history, employment history, a police report, a credit report, and (in some circumstances) a statement of assets and liabilities. In the 2024–25 reporting year, 156 new operating licence applications were submitted and 75% were processed within 16 weeks. Small-scale operators (SSOs) may be exempt from the PML requirement and instead hold an Annex A authorisation.
Businesses that provide online gambling services through websites, apps, or remote devices fall under this category. Applications for operating licences must be submitted through the Gambling Commission’s online licensing system. You will need a premises licence to provide casino games to players in a non-remote setting. We issue operating licences and personal licences; premises licences are issued by local licensing authorities. The Act (as amended) has implications for remote operators and does not impact the powers or authority of licensing authorities. This is so that the authority can control the period within which the full casino premises licence application has to be made.
If you contract with any of the participants who use your gambling facilities (that is if any of those participants are your own customers) then you will need this licence instead of the casino (game host) operating licence. This licence allows you to offer casino games to customers via a website, mobile phone, TV or other online service. The UKGC has banned credit card deposits in UK licensed casinos since 2020. Since April 2020, it’s been a rule that UKGC licensed casinos can’t accept credit card deposits. It’s worth noting that for some casinos, one operator can run a number of different brands under the same licence, these are often called white label sister sites.
In arcade premises, 2.3% of Category B gaming machine sessions result in losses of £200 or more, compared to 2% of combined Category C, Category D and mixed sessions. In bingo premises, 1.6% of Category B gaming machine sessions result in losses of £200 or more, compared to 0.7% of combined Category C, Category D and mixed sessions. Responses from both the arcade and bingo sector show that Category B machines generate higher GGY on average than Category C and D machines, though responses indicated that the levels of GGY were higher in the arcade sector. This was consistent across bingo club operators, arcade operators and gaming machine manufacturers.
You can also learn about what is RTP in slots and check our guide to the best PayPal casino UK sites for your verified casino shortlist. Understanding both the licence verification process and the affordability check rules gives you full visibility of your rights as a UK player. A Remote Betting Licence or Remote Bingo Licence does not authorise casino games like slots, roulette, or blackjack.
We publish registers of licensed businesses, individuals, regulatory actions and premises. With our help, you can find new casinos, bonuses and offers, and learn about games, slots, and payment methods. Our experts test and review casino, betting, and bingo sites so you don’t play in a bodged-up joint that’s all mouth and no trousers. Bojoko is your home for all online gambling in the United Kingdom. You can tell if a casino has a UK licence by checking the bottom of the casino website. You can get bonuses on UK licensed casino sites with varying promotions.
The personal information we collect and process is the data provided to us directly by you in the responses to this consultation. We welcome evidence from all parties with an interest in the way that gambling is regulated in Great Britain. By submitting your responses via email you are agreeing to the terms outlined in the privacy notice. (Mandatory responseYes / No / I don’t know
Check a gambling business licence
Unlike the arcade sector, bingo clubs would not remove substantial numbers of tablets as these machines are primarily used for playing the game of bingo itself. As with the original consultation, Option 3 continued to be the preferred option for bingo operators. The supplementary consultation was shared with all of the initial respondents to the land-based gambling consultation who left contact information, and received 16 responses.
- For instance, the Commission has demonstrated a willingness to initially engage with those that operate (without a licence) offerings that have hints of licensable products before requesting that such entity either apply for and obtain a licence or prevent consumers in Great Britain from accessing such offering, whilst making clear that to continue doing so may amount to an offence under the Gambling Act 2005.
- Scenario AA customer aged 27 stakes £5 on an online slot game.
- Smart operators spend 3-6 months preparing before submission.
- On a properly licensed site, clicking the UKGC logo will link you directly to that operator’s register entry.
- The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) is the regulatory body that oversees gambling activities within the States of Alderney, which is one of the Channel Islands.
Almost all British casinos have some of these bonuses on their sites. One of the great perks of UKGC casinos is that they give out bonuses. Recently launched casinos, such as Justin Casino, BestOdds and 21bets, showcase the latest developments in the industry. These offshore casino sites do not operate under UK regulations and often do not adhere to the same standards. The Gambling Commission’s ongoing efforts ensure that the UK remains one of the safest environments for online gambling globally. Online casinos in the United Kingdom are subject to some of the strictest regulatory standards.
Subsections (3) to (5) of section 172 of the Act make provision as to the number of gaming machines which may be made available for use in a casino by the holders of a licence issued under the 2005 Act. The UKGC gambling licence is seen as one of the most credible and strictest licences within the industry, with the proactive organisation responsible for providing licences to online casinos that only operate responsibly. The second stage of the process only applies where the number of applications which the licensing authority would provisionally grant under the stage one process exceeds the number of available casino premises licences. As a first step in licensing a casino, the licensing authority will have to invite applications for any casino premises licences that it may issue. Licence holders should consider whether, as a result of the changes and gambling facilities offered, an operating licence (OL) variation is required with regard to fee category and/or the licensed activities being offered (such as betting). The maximum number of gaming machines that may be made available for use on the premises remains unchanged at 80.
How long will my data be held for?
The interaction design of slot machines and table games creates specific compliance obligations that don’t apply to betting or bingo products in the same way. The LCCP sets out licence conditions and social responsibility codes that all licensees must follow, but some provisions hit casino operators with particular force. Every UK online casino listed here holds a Remote Casino Operating Licence from the UKGC, but licensing is only the starting point. If you manufacture gambling software, but also provide facilities for gambling only in circumstances in which you host those facilities through other operators’ platforms, then you may be eligible to hold a host operating licence. Remote gambling and software technical standards do not apply to the software you provide for overseas operators who are not licensed by the Gambling Commission.
The majority of licensing authorities advocated for the maximum proposed premises fee increase of 30%. Following analysis, we propose to increase the maximum premises fees chargeable by licensing authorities by 15%. We received detailed evidence through the consultation process outlining the impacts which increased fees would have on both the ability of licensing authorities to undertake their duties, and the commercial pressures placed on operators. These fees are used on a cost recovery basis to enable licensing authorities to undertake their gambling enforcement and administrative duties. To ensure this, we outlined in the white paper our intention to increase the cap on the maximum chargeable premises fees which can be charged by licensing authorities. The government will make inviting, causing, or permitting under-18s to play ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines a criminal offence through a draft affirmative statutory instrument.
These included provisions which entitle any AGC or bingo premises licences granted before 13 July 2011 to retain their existing entitlements of Category B gaming machines (four for AGC premises and eight for bingo premises) notwithstanding the new 80/20 rule. Do you agree with the proposal that casino operators will be required to notify licensing authorities and the Gambling Commission if they decide to take-up their entitlement to additional gaming machines under the new regime? This amendment will mean that 1968 Act casinos that meet the same size requirements of Small 2005 Act casinos (subject to our final position on maximum size of gambling space) will be entitled to 80 gaming machines. From data provided by industry, we understand that there are eight 1968 Act casinos that have a gambling area of 1500sqm or over, and a similar number that are close to 1500sqm and which could be expanded if they decide to site more gaming machines and tables. In order for a 1968 Act casino to be entitled to 80 gaming machines, we propose that it must have a gambling area of at least 500sqm, the same minimum requirement for Small 2005 Act casinos. While we anticipate that many casinos of a suitable size will take up the option to increase their gaming machine allowances under these proposals, we are aware that some casinos will not want to site more than 20 gaming machines.
Looks are the cheapest thing for an unlicensed operator to buy. Our overview of your rights when a casino is not on GamStop sets out what is realistic. The absence of a UK licence narrows the easy routes; it does not always close every door. It does not automatically mean you have no options if you have already lost money.
This question elicited the most detailed responses in this chapter from a wide variety of respondents. This proposal will help build a picture of the customer’s play and is already standard in betting shops. The Behavioural Insights Team highlighted some research they had undertaken on individuals’ experiences of gambling management tools.
