Remote casino game host operating licence
For non-remote betting facilities, this would be a non-remote general betting (standard) operating licence. The effect of the amendments made by Regulation 2 (of the 2025 Regulations) is to make it clear that only gaming tables controlled or operated by casino staff can qualify as a gaming table for the purposes of calculating gaming machine allowances. These Regulations extend to England, Wales and Scotland and apply to all gaming tables in casinos from 22 July 2025.
Safe online casinos in the UK always display licensing info in the site’s footer. Whether you’re a new or a regular online gambler, always make sure that you play on casinos with a UKGC licence. Under strict regulations from the authority, online casinos are bound to offer you fair outcomes on every spin or hand.Legal UK casinos also offer you better safety and security. Though offshore casinos aren’t explicitly illegal, they must have a licence from the Gambling Commission to accept players from the UK.You’ll also find complaints online about fixed or rigged games on casino sites. Currently, there are more than 175 online casinos licensed by the UKGC.
(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
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.
In line with our approach to voluntary limit setting, we do not propose that Category D machines will be required to have mandatory limits for time and monetary thresholds. We would also like machines that use the BGC’s Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) to implement these limits and for APAS not to act as a substitute for these thresholds. Furthermore, the average stake size on B1 machines is similar to the stake size on B3 machines and therefore we do not think that the mandatory limits should be different between the different categories. While we understand the different environments and the higher stakes and prizes available to customers on B1 machines, data received from industry shows that these limits should not impact the majority of players. The proposed thresholds differ from the current industry standard in casinos where it is £250 deposited and 60 minutes of play. We think that the starting point for these thresholds should be deposits of £150 and 20 minutes of play across all machines but understand that further evidence may arise during its consultation.
For UK players, a UKGC licence is the line between a protected experience and a gamble on the casino itself. You may see offshore casinos advertised as « non-GamStop » or promising bigger bonuses with fewer checks. For more on how these rules shape bonuses and play, see our casino bonuses guide and our responsible gambling page. See our top UK casinos or full reviews for casinos we’ve already checked.
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.
In addition, the applicant should prove their right to occupy the premises. Applicants are eligible to apply for the premises license only after applying or receiving an operating license. The exact cost can be calculated by using the Gambling Commission’s online calculator. If the applicant is granted a license, they need to pay their first annual fee within 30 days after being licensed. The Gambling Commission issues operating and personal licenses, while local authorities issue premises licenses. These operators must obtain a license from the Gambling Commission to legally offer their services to UK residents.
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.
Overall, they would either prefer the current contactless payment restrictions to apply for debit card payments on machines or for chip and pin to only be required at the beginning of any session. While this option does not provide as great an increase in commercial flexibility as Option 3, Option 2(b) and, potentially for some operators, Option 1, the evidence received suggests that the vast majority of operators would benefit under this option. This option balances our 2 key priorities, the first being to support arcade and bingo premises through increased commercial flexibility within the context of many businesses operating at a loss post-COVID-19.
Watch out for these red flags when looking for reputable UK online casinos
For converted casinos, however, there is an additional restriction on the number of betting machines relative to the size of the floor area of gambling area in that casino. “extended converted casino premises” means premises in which gaming machines are made available for use in accordance with the extended gaming machine entitlement; You must hold an operating licence if you are intending to run a gambling business for profit such as a betting shop, a gaming machine arcade or a casino. The Commission has become aware that in some instances, operators who hold a combined non-remote casino licence and betting operating licence, have looked into converting part of their casino premises to betting premises. In Scotland casino not on gamstop the licensing boards are licensing authorities and continue to have responsibilities for granting permissions for casinos in the form of premises licences. Under the Act, licensing authorities in England and Wales have the role of issuing premises licences for casinos and monitoring those licences.
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.
Currently, the Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 provide that a wholly automated gaming table is not a “gaming table” for the purposes of s172(3) to (5) of the Act. Thirty-nine responses were received to these questions in the consultation. However, in updating the regulatory framework we intend to ensure that if the preferred setup of a casino changes in future, an appropriate balance of product remains – both in terms of space and product numbers. In making this proposal we acknowledge some concerns from industry stakeholders about the necessity of a table gaming area requirement. Forty-two per cent expected a small increase in the supply and availability of other gambling products, while 41% expected either a small decrease or large decrease in the supply of other gambling products.
Alcohol licensed premises have an automatic entitlement to up to two category C or D machines upon notification to the Licensing Authority. Subject to the final Parliamentary procedures, the statutory instruments when approved will have the effect of adding new conditions to applicable non-remote casino premises licences seeking to take advantage of the new entitlements. For remote gambling, the Commission issues licences to those operators whose remote gambling equipment is located in the territory of Great Britain. Covers internet casinos, betting websites, online bingo and virtual gaming platforms. Search and verify casinos, betting sites, bingo platforms and gaming operators authorised to serve British players. Search and browse all online casino operators holding Gambling Commission licences.
- An operating licence allows you to provide gambling activities to customers in Great Britain.
- The need to future-proof the land-based gambling sector provides the rationale for change.
- For operators seeking long-term growth, these benefits make the licensing process well worth the investment.
- However, even when accounting for device type (i.e. cabinet, in-fill or tablet), the responses suggest that Category C and D gaming machines generate less GGY than Category B machines.
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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).
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.
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.
This will ensure that only distinct and sizeable table gaming areas can count towards the total, giving customers a genuine mix of products that are easily accessible and identifiable in a casino. The same 12.5% rule that applies in 2005 Act casinos is also proposed to apply for 1968 Act casinos that seek to move onto the new regime. Furthermore, this exemption is tightly drawn to reduce any advantages that these casinos may gain compared to their competitors. The government proposes that venues will be required to comply with all specified sliding scale requirements in order to access the enhanced gaming machine entitlement.
1968 Act casinos that have a gambling area of at least 500sqm will be eligible for the same number of machines as permitted in a Small 2005 Act casino. 1968 Act casinos will be entitled to an enhanced gaming machine entitlement if their gambling area is at least 280sqm. 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. Where 1968 Act casinos are smaller than these requirements, we have proposed that they are able to benefit from an increased number of machines on a pro rata basis commensurate with their size and non-gambling area, and subject to the same ratio. The rules have also incentivised holders of multiple 1968 Act casino licences to operate them as separate entities in the same premises for the purpose of increasing machine numbers. As outlined in the white paper, it is our intention to bring greater coherence to the licence system by allowing 1968 Act casinos of a certain size to have the same gaming machine allowance as Small 2005 Act casinos.
These sanctions can run into millions of pounds and several high-profile operators have fallen foul of the British regulator and suffered this outcome. However, in practice, and as a general rule, the Gambling Commission will not normally pursue a criminal investigation into a licensed operator, as in most cases it will consider that the matter under investigation is likely to be capable of being dealt with by the exercise of the Gambling Commission’s regulatory powers. There are a variety of ways that the Gambling Commission can deal with non-compliance by licensees, ranging from enhanced compliance procedures and regulatory settlements to licence reviews and formal enforcement action.
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.
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.