B2B “Host” Licences
UKGC Gambling Licence List of UKCG Licensed Casinos 2026
Option 3, which would remove the ratio entirely, was the only option which generated projections of increased operator GGY from bingo club operators, arcade operators, trade bodies and gaming machine manufacturers. We received projections concerning GGY and the change in overall number of Category B, C and D gaming machines under Options 1, 2 and 3 from a range of stakeholders. As such, the consultation sought to understand if the regulatory framework could be strengthened to ensure that there is a consistent minimum offer of Category C and D gaming machines on cabinet devices in venues across the arcade and bingo sector. However, in recent years there has been a proliferation of space-saving in-fill and tablet gaming machines in arcade and bingo venues. How, if at all, would the approaches taken in Options 1, 2 and 3 impact the ability of business to meet customer demand for gaming machines?
B2B “Host” Licences
Typically, the casino will match your deposit by a certain percentage up to a set amount. These are some of the best casino bonuses in the UK for their size. You can claim deposit bonuses on sign-up or when you reload your casino account. In the subsequent sections, you’ll learn about the common bonus types available at casino platforms. Whichever casino you choose to play at, you’ll definitely find games from top developers like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Big Time Gaming. It’s not the same as a land-based casino, but with HD live streaming and real professional dealers, that’s the closest experience you can get.
In April 2023, significant changes to gambling regulations were proposed by the government, particularly targeting online slots. Apart from reviewing the activities of the licensed operators, the Commission is authorised to take regulatory actions against those licencees who breach the rules in some way. The 2014 Act changed the licensing requirements so that any company wishing to advertise gambling and take bets from consumers in England, Wales, or Scotland must hold a licence issued by the Gambling Commission. In October 2020, the Commission published the results of an investigation of BGO, GAN, and NetBet, three UK online gambling operators.
Please provide any views or any other information on the adequacy of player protections for those using gaming machines in casinos. How do you expect the measures allowing more gaming machines in 1968 Act casinos to impact the provision of other product offerings within casinos e.g. table gaming? How do you expect the measures allowing more gaming machines in 1968 Act casinos that meet certain size requirements to affect the demand for gaming machines in casinos? For example, a casino with two premises licences that meets the size and physical separation requirements could site 160 machines – more than a Large 2005 Act casino.
These are aimed at making sure all gambling is safe and fair, with the UK Gambling Commission overseeing all gambling activities within the UK. Here, you can use their search feature to look up the casino by name. First thing to do is to check the casino’s footer for the UKGC logo. This allows us to give you a balanced and transparent overview of each casino. The ratings are based on comprehensive UK casino reviews carried out by Bojoko’s casino experts. It offers games, ranging from slots to table games and live casino, from over 50 game suppliers.
- The government proposes that gaming machines accepting direct debit payments must allow customers to set time and monetary thresholds.
- Under this option, for every device with higher maximum staking there would be a lower maximum staking machine of equivalent size and nature available to customers.
- 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.
- 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.
- A typical online casino requires both remote casino and remote betting permissions.
Evidence was received in response to the land-based gambling consultation and through an additional supplementary consultation which focused on this reform specifically. Operators will also need to be able to demonstrate that their new gambling and non-gambling areas abide by the updated rules in the Mandatory and Default Conditions, which will include the sliding scale and other restrictions on the sizes of different areas of the casino. As set out in section 151 of the 2005 Act and in the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) Regulations 2007, the operator will also need to submit an up-to-date plan showing their table gaming area, other gambling areas and non-gambling areas.
In practice, this means that 2 Category B gaming machines on a cabinet device type can be made available to a minimum of one Category C or D gaming machine on a cabinet device type. This measure will apply on a device type basis, meaning that the ratio applies across the 3 different types of device on which gaming machines content is currently offered in arcades and bingo halls, namely cabinets, in-fills and tablets. Introducing an age-limit on certain types of Category D gaming machines – draft affirmative statutory instrument.
Casino License UK – Detailed Guide to the Gambling Regulations and Authorities
We explain the legal position in detail in our guide to whether non-GamStop casinos are legal in the UK. Common examples are licences issued in Curacao, Anjouan or other offshore jurisdictions. The single most reliable check is the UK Gambling Commission’s public register, which lists every business licensed to offer gambling to people in Great Britain. If you are worried that a casino is not properly licensed, you can usually find out in a few minutes.
The consultation asked the following questions on licence fees. We would expect operators to inform the Commission that they are intending to move onto the expanded regime as these changes will have a material impact on an operator’s business. Operators moving onto the new regime would almost certainly result in a material change to the layout of the premises.
Online casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission are required to meet important safety and fairness standards. Operating licences give the operator the permission to offer a specific type of gambling product. Obtaining a gambling license for an offline casino in the UK is impossible without permission to own and operate dedicated gambling premises. The United Kingdom is one of the most developed countries in the gambling industry, where casinos and other forms of gambling are officially permitted. The Gambling Commission does not issue premises licences.
For every gaming table used in the casino, the effect of the amendment is to increase from two to five the number of gaming machines that may also be made available for use. Its role is to oversee all gambling activity in the country, including that at online casinos, in betting shops, arcades, lotteries, and bingo halls. Otherwise, payment processing per se is not licensable under British gambling law and the main restrictions are that land-based bingo and casinos may not offer credit for wagers and remote gambling operators may not accept credit card payments (including through money services providers). As well as an operating licence, an operator wishing to make gambling facilities available in a land-based environment (e.g., casino, betting shop, bingo hall or arcade centre) will also need to apply for a premises licence authorising that activity from the relevant local authority. Other than that, different types of gambling activity conducted by the same media can be combined – for example, a “remote” gambling operating licence might well have betting, gaming and software operation endorsed upon it. As far as remote gaming and betting is concerned, licences are readily available to suitable applicants.
The period of time within which representations must be made will be prescribed in regulations. 430.Responsible authorities and interested parties may make representations in writing to a licensing authority about a particular application. These applicants do not need to hold, or have applied for, an operating licence. Applicants must have an operating licence, or have made an application for one. The notes relating to prize gaming permits under Part 14 expand upon the meaning of “occupy” for these purposes. Regulations made under this section may also excuse licensing authorities from part or all of their duties to maintain a register and provide access to it.

A support initiative committed to helping victims of offshore casino abuse reclaim their funds and rebuild their lives. What the MGA does, what it does not protect, and the recovery options open to you. But an MGA licence is not a UK licence, so GamStop and the UK dispute routes only apply where a brand also holds a UK Gambling Commission licence. A plain-English guide to whether gambling debts can be enforced in the UK. See our overview of your rights with a casino not on GamStop. If you have already lost money there, you may still have options.

These regulations are strict because real money is involved, and regulators want people to have access to secure platforms that offer fair conditions. This fee is non-refundable if you need to withdraw your UK casino license application. This applies to all types of gambling businesses, which we’ll explain in greater detail in the license types section. Their regulatory bodies are among the most respected in the gambling industry. That explains why several pioneers in the gambling space are based in the UK. Remote external lottery manager operating licence
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As such, any change in the composition of gaming machines which results in a higher share of Category B machines will represent an uplift in GGY for operators. While we have no direct evidence on the rate of gambling harm for those participating on gaming machines in bingo and arcade venues specifically, we can use net expenditure and session length data to consider the possible risks of gambling harm. The rationale for considering this option is primarily to ensure that a truly balanced offer of gaming machines is available to customers following the loosening of restrictions from 80/20. We propose that an operator must notify the licensing authority of their intention to increase their number of gaming machines.
Are you happy for government to attribute responses to your organisation in a published response to this consultation? (Gambling industry professional, gambling researcher/academic, gambling treatment provider, personally harmed by gambling, affected negatively by another person’s gambling, recreational gambler, government/regulatory professional, other, prefer not to say) Please upload any further evidence or any other information that should be considered in this consultation relating to licensing authority fees. Please provide any additional views or evidence on the potential impacts of raising licence fees here. What do you think are the potential impacts of raising licence fees on the local area? (Mandatory response)10% / 20% / 30% / A different amount / I do not think fees should be increased / I don’t know

Please outline any other proposals relating to machine allowances in arcades and bingo halls that you think that we should consider. Please explain why this is your preferred option. Please rank these options in order of preference, with 1 being your preferred option.
This response forms part of the government’s smarter regulation programme of regulatory reform measures that began in May 2023 with the publication of Smarter regulation to grow the economy. Information provided in response to this consultation (not including personal information) may be shared with other government departments and arm’s length bodies, such as the Department for Health and Social Care and the Gambling Commission. This means we have asked Qualtrics to collect your information via an online survey platform, which we will review as part of the consultation process. DCMS has commissioned a third party, Qualtrics, to collect your personal data on its behalf. All questions requesting an individuals personal information offer a ‘prefer not to say’ option.
It’s like this because it’s designed to protect players and maintain integrity across the whole of the gambling sector. Any casino wanting to operate legally in the UK must secure a license from this regulator, and doing this involves so much more than just completing a form. Wiggin extends its reach to the centre of European decision-making, maintaining a Brussels office that advocates for clients on various EU-related issues, including copyright, audio-visual regulations, data protection, competition policy, trade and e-commerce. The firm serves a diverse clientele, ranging from industry leaders in broadcast entertainment, music, sports and publishing to innovative platforms, content retailers, gaming and technology companies, as well as budding entrepreneurs. He is experienced in advising clients on regulatory compliance matters, licensing and product classification, seeking M&A regulatory approvals and cross-border jurisdictional risk. He advises many of the industry’s leading operators and suppliers, as well as start-up companies, investors and other leading law firms.
The policy proposals set out in this government response are intended to modernise the land-based gambling sector and help it to thrive sustainably. The land-based gambling sector, unlike the online gambling sector, has faced significant challenges in recent years as a result of business inactivity during periods of COVID-19 restrictions. In September 2019, the Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) generated by remote gambling overtook that of land-based gambling for the first time (excluding lotteries). The white paper acknowledged that the emergence of new technology and the availability of online gambling since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force has substantially altered the gambling landscape. Measures relating to casinos – one draft affirmative and one made negative statutory instrument. By contrast, licensing authorities and respondents from the third sector tended to highlight the risk of increased gambling-related harm as a result of increasing commercial flexibility for businesses.

The UK Gambling Commission requires operators to contribute financially to organisations focused on research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm. The list of operators and personal licence holders who have had a regulatory sanction imposed on them is published on the site of the Gambling Commission. They also collaborate with other UK organisations and the police in cases where suspicious betting or gambling activities are detected. The list of responsibilities of the Gambling Commission includes work to ensure that licencees act in accordance with the requirements imposed by the Gambling Act 2005 and other related regulations and standards. Previously, an operator in one of the whitelisted gambling jurisdictions could advertise their services in Great Britain without requiring a separate licence from the Commission.
The government will introduce regulations through a draft affirmative statutory instrument to ensure that, for every 2 Category B gaming machines sited in AGC or bingo premises, at least one Category C or D gaming machine of a similar size is also sited on the premises. Both policy options are variations of Option 2, meaning that they focus on addressing the practice of operators siting increased numbers of Category B cabinet gaming machines by making lower staking Category C and D content available on in-fill and tablet gaming machines. A substantial number of responses drew upon the higher levels of customer spend which is evidenced on Category B gaming machines by comparison to Category C and D gaming machines, particularly as this relates to potential indicators of gambling-related harm.
Doing this will save you from signing up for operators that aren’t reputable. One important thing to note is that the licensing process is similar in all countries. After paying the required fees and submitting all the necessary documents, the commission will review everything you’ve casino not on gamstop submitted.
When you look for unlicensed casinos and casinos not on Gamstop, you are finding sites that are willing to break the rules. You should avoid non-UK licensed casinos, as they expose you to various risks. Coral is one of the most well-known UK-licensed casinos with a legendary reputation. The next UK licensed online casino we recommend is 21 Casino. All winnings from gambling in UK-regulated casinos are tax-free, while winnings from offshore sites carry the taxes of their origin country. You should choose a licensed online casino to ensure you are not left hanging if any problems arise.
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(b)lobby areas and toilet facilities may be taken into account in calculating the non-gambling area; but the non-gambling area must not consist exclusively of lobby areas and toilet facilities, Have a gambling area, the floor area of which is no less than 200m², and The UKGC carries out regular reviews, audits, and investigations to ensure that operators continue to meet all requirements. Misleading advertising has led to several high-profile fines for operators in recent years, and this shows just how seriously the UKGC takes this. They must actively monitor player behaviour to identify signs of problem gambling and intervene when necessary.