How to Check a UKGC Licensed Casino in 2026

Venues would be required to comply with these requirements in order to increase their gaming machine allowance. Respondents from the land-based gambling industry were generally supportive of proposals which would remove restrictions on supply, pointing to the unrestricted availability of the same products online. The consultation proposed a number of measures with a view to modernising the regulation that applies to land-based casinos. This fee enables licensing authorities to fund their enforcement and administrative gambling duties on a cost recovery basis. We will increase the maximum premises licence fees which can be charged by local authorities by 15%. To ensure that this is enforced we will make it a criminal offence to invite, cause or permit someone under the age of 18 to use these machines.

This will ensure that gaming products, such as single-player games in which the player presses a switch or button, or pulls a plunger or lever, to release a ball or set of balls cannot count towards the machine to table ratio. We will amend these regulations so that gaming tables where staff are not present and the player operates or controls the gaming apparatus are also excluded for these purposes. Therefore both wholly automated gaming tables and table games of equal chance do not attract any gaming machine allowance for the purposes of meeting the machine to table ratio. Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that real equal chance gaming tables (e.g. poker) are not considered as gaming tables for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Act. In updating this ratio, we intend to amend the definition of “gaming table” for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Gambling Act 2005 so that only tables where the apparatus is controlled or operated by casino staff count for the purposes of the ratio.

Running an online casino for UK consumers requires a Remote Casino Operating Licence under the Gambling Act 2005. For example, it will allow you to supply gambling software via methods of secure file transmission or to make gambling software available for download by operators from your server. A UKGC licence is authorisation from the UK Gambling Commission for a company to offer gambling to players in Great Britain.

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.

Am I protected by the UKGC when I place sports bets at an online casino?

(6) The premises must contain a non-gambling area, the floor area of which is no less than the lesser of— (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), in determining the floor area of the table gaming area, any number of separate areas within the premises may be taken into account. (2) The premises must contain a table gaming area, the floor area of which is no less than the lesser of— “(1) This paragraph applies to larger converted casino premises.”, and

We believe it is appropriate to increase these fees so that local authorities can cover the costs of their gambling licensing and enforcement activity, and increase activity where needed. They are therefore essential for ensuring that licensing authorities can properly regulate gambling in their areas. Note that the different fees currently charged for large and small casinos may be subject to review and harmonisation following the consultation outlined in Chapter 1. Therefore, venues such as pubs and members’ clubs will not be impacted by any increases to premises licence fees. The fees payable for gaming machine notifications and gaming machine permits are not in scope of this review.

(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.

We believe this is particularly important within the wider context of the modernising measures we are taking to support land-based gambling operators. Premises licence fees in Scotland are set under different regulations and are therefore a matter of consideration for the Scottish Government. We believe that on balance an increase to the maximum cap on premises licence fees by 15% is proportionate.

Timeline of Changes

Helping British players find safe, regulated gambling sites. Learn more about our position on casino reviews and the dangers of affiliate websites. Our listings are derived from publicly available Gambling Commission data and we receive no payment from operators for inclusion. Each licensed company is assigned a unique Account Number by the Gambling Commission.

An “economic crime levy” is payable by entities that are regulated for anti-money laundering purposes (currently only casinos in the UK) and which generate more than £10.2 million in UK revenue. It should be noted that in April 2025 HM Treasury opened a consultation (which closed on 21 July 2025) on a proposal to introduce a single remote gambling duty that would apply to all remote gambling activities targeting the UK. 15% of the commission charges charged by betting exchanges to users who are UK citizens Operating licences are generally indefinite, subject to paying annual fees. Eligibility for a British gambling licence depends upon the Gambling Commission’s assessment of a variety of factors, primarily the integrity and probity of the applicant and the applicant’s ability to conduct gambling in a solvent and responsible manner in compliance with law and regulation.

Casinos that have failed to comply face licence suspension or revocation — another reason why it is always worth checking how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed before you play. Key changes include a £5 maximum stake limit on online slots, mandatory casino affordability checks UK operators must conduct at defined loss thresholds, a ban on autoplay features, and a 10x cap on bonus wagering requirements. The only reliable way to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed is to look up the operator’s licence number on the official UKGC register. Some rogue casinos display a UKGC-style logo without holding a genuine licence. Unlicensed casinos may withhold winnings or refuse withdrawals, leaving you with no legal recourse whatsoever. Knowing how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed is the single most important step before you deposit at any online casino.

Premises licences will be granted by licensing authorities (as defined in section 2), not the Commission. Premises licences are the third main category of licence (operating and personal licences being the other two) that will be issued under the Act. 400.Part 8 of the Act describes the new regime for the licensing of premises where facilities for gambling may be provided. Licensing authorities are responsible for issuing premises licences. In addition, there is a third category of casino that is permitted through transitional arrangements under Schedule 18 of the Act, which may be referred to as 1968 Act converted casinos. A flat additional annual fee of £4,687 is payable for a licence that combines two of game host (casino), game host (bingo) and betting host (virtual events only).

Therefore, we would welcome any responses which highlight concerns about this approach and how non-gambling areas could be calculated using a different method. However, we want to avoid any regulation that would allow table gaming areas to be placed in obscure or less accessible areas for customers so that a genuinely mixed offering of products remains in the casino. We appreciate that for commercial reasons and for a better customer experience, tables are already grouped together in casinos, often in one large area.

This includes online casinos, sports betting sites, bingo operators and land-based gambling premises. We do not see this as being an issue for operators or manufacturers as it is already widely available on Category B gaming machines within all land-based gambling premises. Very few responses were received by operators who hold more than one premises licence at the same location, but the majority of these indicated that they would not look to take up the maximum entitlement of 80 machines per licence were it to be an option.

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.

Industry responses stated that in addition to the ability to increase GGY, a central component of increased commercial flexibility for many operators is the ability to remove underused gaming machines. “… for the purpose of calculating the Category B machine entitlement in gambling premises, gaming machines should only be counted if they can be played simultaneously by different players without physical hindrance.” (Gambling Commission, 2019 Of those who didn’t answer ‘I don’t know’, 80% of respondents favoured operating and premises licence fees being the same for Small 2005 Act casinos and 1968 Act casinos that elect to increase their gaming machine entitlement. For casinos moving onto the new regime, section 187 of the Gambling Act 2005 should require operators to apply to the licensing authority to vary their premises licence. We agree that operators should be required to notify licensing authorities and the Gambling Commission if they decide to take-up the entitlement to additional gaming machines under the new regime. The majority of respondents (93%) agreed that operators should be required to notify licensing authorities and the Gambling Commission if they decide to take-up the entitlement to additional gaming machines under the new regime.

Whilst, those operators who wish to advertise their services in England, Wales, or Scotland, but are based outside the country, have to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission following the passage of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014. 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. Premises licence holders must also send us copies of applications to transfer or vary their premises licence(s), or apply for a reinstatement of any lapsed licence(s). When a premises licence or provisional statement is applied for, the applicant must send a copy to us. To obtain a premises licence, a person or business must first hold an operating licence from us authorising them to carry out the activity in respect of which the premises licence is applied for. The comprehensive directory of Gambling Commission licensed operators.

On 8 December 2020, the UK Government announced a long-awaited review of British gambling laws and a call for evidence to inform the potential extent of changes required to the Gambling Act 2005 in order to make the legislative framework “fit for the ‘digital age’”. In addition to the LCCP, the British regulator also publishes a large body of literature comprising regulatory advice, policies and guidance which licensees are expected to take account of.The financial regulation of gambling is set out mostly in the British Finance Acts and provides for various levels of duty upon different types of gambling. Local authorities (for Premises Licences).Sports/horse race betting (if regulated separately to other forms of betting)As above.As above.Fantasy betting (payment to back a ‘league’ or ‘portfolio’ selection over a period of time, for example in relation to sport)As above.As above.LotteriesLotteriesThe Gambling Commission.The Gambling Commission (for Operating Licences). This is the case even if you hold a licence in another jurisdiction. There are certain exemptions from holding an operating licence for small lotteries and small raffles run not for profit and for fundraising for societies, schools and clubs only.

How to Verify a Casino’s UKGC Licence

A series of key proposals specifically relating to the land-based gambling sector were outlined in Chapter 6 of the White Paper, including measures to adjust outdated regulatory restrictions applying to the sector. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its gambling White Paper (opens in new tab) in April 2023, which set out the previous government’s plans for modernising the regulation of the gambling sector. While they are also reputable bodies, they do not permit operators to accept UK players. In your quest, you may also come across operators that feature licenses from other bodies, like the Malta Gaming Commission and the Government of Curacao. The UKGC is the body tasked with regulating gambling activities in the UK. Later in this guide, we’ll list and explain some of the importance of playing on a licensed operator.

You can also use the search feature on the UKGC site to see the licence status of any online casino. Among these, there are over 250 online casinos available for British players. There are over 2,400 gambling operators with UK licenses, according to the commission’s annual report. The benefits of playing at UKGC casinos include a high level of player protection, fair and responsible gaming, and quality bonuses and games. You can find UK licensed casinos by using reputable sources, such as Bojoko, which has casino experts who review and verify each casino personally. Online casinos are regulated in the UK by the UK Gambling Commission, which enforces the regulations and protects players.

• 1968 Act casinos with a gambling area of at least 280sqm will be able to exercise the increased gaming machine entitlements shown in Figure 3.
• You may see offshore casinos advertised as «non-GamStop» or promising bigger bonuses with fewer checks.
• Even experienced gambling operators can make errors during the license application process or after approval.
• The table gaming area will need to be reflected on an updated plan of the premises.

445.In addition, licensing authorities have power to set individual conditions for a premises licence when they grant it. These powers can apply to all premises licences, or classes of licence, or to licences in specified circumstances. These powers can apply to all premises licences, or classes of licence or to licences in specified circumstances. 443.The Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers have power to issue mandatory conditions on premises licences, for England and Wales, and Scotland respectively. 437.Sections 206 to 209 set out the appeal rights in relation to a decision of a licensing authority to grant or reject an application for a premises licence.

Only tables for multi-player live gaming, operated by a casino dealer, will qualify for the purposes of this ratio. We do not intend on making any changes to when a gaming table will be treated as being ‘used’ for the purposes of the machine to table ratio as set out in the current Regulations. If you are an operator with more than one premises licence at the same location, do you intend to take up these new entitlements for each licence? Shown if Yes is selected Do you intend to site the maximum number of machines available to you? If you selected ‘No’, please provide an alternative proposal for gaming machine entitlements if you have one.

Do you think premises should adopt voluntary test purchasing as a way to monitor under-18s activity on Category D ‘cash-out’ slot-style machines? Further research finds evidence that there is a correlation between the recollection of playing Category D machines in childhood and adult disordered gambling, although causation cannot be shown. Bacta, which represents the amusement and gaming machine industry in the UK, have an existing voluntary commitment for their members to ban all under-18s from playing Category D ‘cash-out’ machines. However, Category C machines must be in a segregated part of the premises that is supervised to prevent children and young people accessing those machines. Licensed operators are required to place Category B and C machines in age-restricted areas to ensure that under-18s do not have access to them. This change will not only strengthen the existing voluntary commitment from industry, by making it an offence to allow under-18s to play this type of gaming machine, it will also level the field between operators who are signed up to the voluntary code and those who are not.

The Act requires licensing authorities to comply with any code of practice issued by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has issued a code of practice about the procedure to be followed by licensing authorities in making determinations at both stage one and stage two, and also about the matters authorities are to take into account in making such determinations. Further information on the new entitlements, provisions in place, and the required premise licence variations is available in the guidance on the legislative changes. Casino operators are reminded that those casino not on gamstop wishing to utilise the new extended entitlements will need to inform the Commission under Licence Conditions and Code of Practice (LCCP) Ordinary Code Provision 8.1.1 (Information requirements).

In the financial year to 2022, the average GGY per Category B machine (across all licenced land-based venues) was £30,360, compared to £2,030 per Category C machine and £1,350 per Category D machine. Another key benefit is the increased GGY from Category B machines in bingo and arcade venues. The proposed measure will allow venues to remove unused Category C and D machines and save on the costs of maintaining and powering them. The primary benefit of this measure is a reduction in energy and maintenance costs from unused machines. The Gambling Commission will conduct a future review of the gaming machine technical standards. The increase in Category B machines is expected to be even higher for Option 3, where no restrictions would be applied.

(a)the size of floor area of the gambling area is not increased, and (2) The floor area of the gambling area must be less than 1,500m². (4) Any separate area that comprises less than 12.5 per cent of the minimum required table gaming area is not to be taken into account in determining the table gaming area. (a)half the size of the floor area of the gambling area, (c)facilities for gambling must not be provided in the non-gambling area, and

Player protections can be used to mitigate increases in the risk of gambling harm. A more detailed estimate of the impact for each option will be presented in the final stage impact assessment, once further data has been collected. Therefore, the risk of increased gambling harm is assumed to be higher for Options 1 and 3 than Option 2. This increase is expected to be higher under Option 1 than Option 2, as operators will not be restricted by device constraints. Data on net expenditure per session shows that from April to September 2019, the vast majority of sessions across all machine categories ended in the player either winning money or losing up to £20. A ‘mixed session’ is a single session that takes place on games of different machine categories.