Full register of gambling businesses
That’s over two decades of real experience guiding readers like you to casino sites that actually deliver. Browse UK-focused casino reviews, free slot demos and bonus information without a cluttered comparison gimmick getting in the way. These are subject to separate regulations, involving a two-stage application process, detailed below. If you have a combination of different kinds of licence, you will get a discount on your annual fee. You must also notify us three months prior to your annual fee due date to confirm whether your casino is operational so that the correct annual fee is charged.
An online casino is a digital platform that lets you play casino games — such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer games — via a website or mobile app. Finding a trustworthy online casino in the UK has never been more competitive — there are hundreds of licensed sites to choose from, and not all of them are worth your time or money. With our help, you can find new casinos, bonuses and offers, and learn about games, slots, and payment methods.
While it is acknowledged that the risk of gambling harm may increase somewhat following a transition to 50/50, the stipulation outlined in Option 2 would ensure that operators offer a balance of higher and lower stake gaming machines. Under the ‘available for use’ guidance, 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. These changes would only come into effect if 1968 Act casinos elect to make more than 20 gaming machines (including at least one Category B machine) available to the customer.
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This process of formal review – Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 – can result in almost any sort of penalty from the regulator, including suspension and revocation of licences. Personal licences tend to have a five-year duration and must, however, be renewed. This distinction cannot be ignored, and the regulator has no power to grant a licence that authorises both remote and land-based activity.
The UKGC maintains an up-to-date public register of all their licensed operators. 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.
As a result, these venues will be entitled to choose between adopting any revised entitlement set down in legislation following this consultation or retaining the four Category B machine allowance for AGC premises and eight Category B machine allowance for bingo premises. The proposals outlined in this consultation to reform the 80/20 rule will again permit AGC and bingo premises to retain these legacy rights where the relevant premises licence was granted before 13 July 2011. Further information about premises licence fees are outlined in Chapter 5. The Gambling Commission will also need to be notified of an operator’s projected annual licence fee category based on GGY for the forthcoming licence period, so that the correct fees can be paid.
- A large casino under the 2005 Act (opens in new tab) has a minimum table gaming area of 1,000 square metres and a minimum non-gambling area of 500 square metres.
- Register with GAMSTOP to self-exclude from all UKGC licensed online gambling sites for a period of your choosing.
- The regulations will determine whether the banks of terminals count as a table in their own right.
- However, it would be disruptive and potentially impose additional costs onto those casinos with a gambling area of 1,500sqm or more that are already established.
- Without intervention, there is a risk that machines could become obsolete as we move towards a “cashless” society.
There has also been a decline in gaming machine usage in alcohol licensed premises. Gaming machines are currently permitted in a variety of locations and divided into various categories based on factors such as maximum stake and prize available, as well as the premises where they may be used. Some licensed betting offices also use a cross-channel digital wallet that can be topped up at cash desks as well as on the operator’s website and used on machines. We will use the responses to this consultation as well as wider engagement with the sector to gather data to estimate the likely change in machine configuration in bingo and arcade venues. Category B machines are significantly more profitable for operators earning considerably higher GGY than Category C and D alternatives.
A central objective behind the reform of the 80/20 rule is to enable operators to have greater commercial flexibility over their product offer of Category B, C and D gaming machines. This means, for example, that operators will be able to site 2 Category B cabinet gaming machines to a minimum of one Category C or D gaming machine. The government intends to amend the current gaming machine ratio to allow operators to make 2 Category B gaming machines available to a minimum of one Category C and D gaming machine. Equally, we want to ensure that customers receive a genuine offer of lower staking gaming machines as an important mitigation against gambling-related harm. Chapter 5 ‘Review of licensing authority fees’ outlines proposed changes to premises licence fees for Small 2005 Act casinos, which 1968 Act casinos that elect to move onto the new regime will also be subject to. The government intends for operating and premises licence fees to be harmonised between 1968 Act casinos and Small 2005 Act casinos.
By contrast, Option 2(a) would likely increase the numbers of Category B cabinets in a similar proportion to Option 1, while safeguarding against the possible scenario in which Category B machines become the only cabinet gaming machines offered. The concern raised was that any variation of Option 2 would be damaging to tablet gaming machine manufacturers as this would likely lead to vast numbers of these machines being removed by operators. The responses received from the third sector also raised concerns about the potential for increased gambling-related harm to occur alongside greater numbers of Category B machines being made available.
The Committee of Advertising Practice, which is responsible for penning advertising codes in the UK, announced new rules aimed at protecting children under the age of 18 from content promoting gambling. By 2013, the UK media regulator Ofcom reported that this approach had led to a seven-fold increase in the number of gambling ads that were aired on the TV. The industry recruits staff to target VIPs and get them to spend more, to contact VIPs who have not gambled for some time and get them to restart gambling, to identify less serious gamblers who could become VIPs and get them to gamble more. In July 2026, the UK changed how gambling penalties would be collected and allocated. The betting industry alone is reported to contribute £6 billion as of January 2010, 0.5% of GDP. Publicans must also be vigilant in ensuring that their customers do not pass betting slips between each other but only bet for themselves.
However, it is our intention to apply a fixed maximum of 80 gaming machines per physical location. The government proposes that a new regime will apply to 1968 Act casinos that seek to increase their gaming machine entitlement. There were mixed views on casinos’ ability to hold multiple licences at the same physical location. It was proposed that the requirements would form part of a new regime that operators would have the option of moving onto, taking up a new gaming machine entitlement under the new rules. Over half of respondents who indicated an intention to move onto the new regime stated they would look to take up the maximum entitlement of 80 gaming machines in at least some of their venues (57%).
This includes poker, roulette, blackjack and other casino games, as well as online slot games. On that basis, these types of product can be sited in the table gaming area as delineated on a layout plan, although they will not count as gaming tables for the purpose of the machine to table ratio. However, licensing authorities may receive applications including a layout plan showing these automated tables and terminals sited in the table gaming area. The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 states that wholly automated gaming tables and electronic terminals used in connection with real games of chance, will not count as ‘gaming tables’ for the purpose of the machine to table ratio. Licensing authorities which grant the variation may attach a condition to the licence (under section 169 Gambling Act 2005) limiting the licence to the specific activity in contemplation (for example SSBTs or over the counter betting). The detail of these responsible authorities should also be set out in the licensing authority’s Statement of Principles for Gambling (gambling policy statement).
Casinos that accept UK players without a UK Gambling Commission licence are operating outside UK regulation, so they don’t provide UK player protections such as GAMSTOP, fund safeguarding or independent complaints. A UKGC licence is authorisation from the UK Gambling Commission for a company to offer gambling to players in Great Britain. James verifies the licence of every casino CasinoReg reviews on the UK Gambling Commission public register. Every UKGC-licensed casino displays an account (licence) number, usually in the footer, that links to its entry on the Commission’s public register.
Because we test casinos with the player in mind. Use limits, slower decisions and safer gambling tools as part of the casino choice. Only the top 20 best-rated UK casino sites and UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos are listed! Our team spent years in and around the online casino scene, and we know exactly what makes a top-tier casino stand apart from a time-waster. Licensing authorities are reminded that when considering such applications, they must be satisfied that, if granted, the premises in question meets the relevant mandatory and default conditions for the relevant premises licence.
Responses from industry advocated for either no increase in the maximum chargeable premises fees or a small increase of 10%. A key stated benefit was the ability to undertake more proactive engagement and enforcement activities with licensed premises. Licensing authorities highlighted numerous benefits non gamstop casino which would be achieved by increasing the maximum chargeable premises fees by 30%. However, a number of these responses stated that this would still be below the amount necessary to undertake their duties to the fullest extent. The majority of licensing authorities advocated for a 30% increase.
Gaming machine compliance
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. With hundreds of online casinos operating in the UK, it can be tricky to find one that suits your preferences. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive overview of the gambling industry and online casinos in the UK, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their level of experience, can access invaluable insights.
Player Safety & Responsible Gambling
We can also analyse average loss and session length data to consider the possible risks of gambling harm for those customers who increase their gambling participation as a result of these measures. Notably, these rates are below the at-risk and problem gambling rates for casino table games (31.5% and 6.4% respectively). • Any non-gambling area may consist of one or more areas within the premisesDo you agree that this should remain the same under the new regime? It is for the Scottish Ministers to consider whether they want to amend the Mandatory and Default Conditions that apply to casinos located in Scotland. Therefore, we would welcome any responses which highlight concerns about this approach and how non-gambling areas could be calculated using a different method.
447.Part 10 of the Act defines a gaming machine, and gives the Secretary of State power to make rules about their categorisation and use or manufacture and supply. These conditions are ones which apply to a licence unless the licensing authority decides to exclude them (in which case the authority can impose alternative conditions relating to the same matter). Where the licensing authority rejects an application for a licence, the applicant may appeal. Where the licence is refused, the licensing authority must give reasons for their decision.
Licensed casinos are obligated to be transparent in their operations, including clear terms and conditions, bonus guidelines, and withdrawal policies. 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. When you look for unlicensed casinos and casinos not on Gamstop, you are finding sites that are willing to break the rules. These offshore casino sites do not operate under UK regulations and often do not adhere to the same standards.
The UK is the second-largest gambling market in Europe, with British gamblers spending approximately £14 billion ($18.9 billion) per year. Sumsub explains how gambling businesses can stay compliant and avoid fines in the UK. Always verify licence details on the official Gambling Commission website. Helping British players find safe, regulated gambling sites.
While the powers to make changes to gaming machine entitlements are reserved, the protective measures that the government views as necessary accompaniments to any such change are devolved2. 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. In 2024, the new government reviewed the proposals in relation to modernising the rules for casinos and decided to implement the changes as outlined in the previous government’s consultation on this matter.
The Gambling Commission regulates arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, lottery operators, external lottery managers and remote gambling (online and by phone) that use British-based equipment. 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. 1968 Act casinos will move to the new regime once they elect to increase their enhanced entitlement to gaming machines, becoming subject to the mandatory premises licence conditions and fee scales of a 2005 Act casino. Where a casino has two premises licences, an operator is able to site 40 gaming machines in the same building; and where an operator has three licences, 60 gaming machines. In this instance, a casino with 3 premises licences could theoretically site a maximum of 240 gaming machines, which would not be the policy intention.