UKGC licence: what it means, how to check it, licensed casinos
Great Britain's gambling regulator, licensing online and land-based casinos, betting, bingo, arcades and lotteries, and overseeing The National Lottery.
Casinos with a page
12
Hunts tracked there
1
Accept crypto
0%
Founded
2007
About the Gambling Commission
The Gambling Commission was created under the Gambling Act 2005 and took up its full powers in 2007, replacing the Gaming Board for Great Britain. On 1 October 2013 it merged with the National Lottery Commission and now also regulates The National Lottery.
The Commission licenses businesses and individuals that offer gambling in Great Britain, both online and in person. Any company that offers gambling to people in Great Britain needs a Commission licence, wherever the company is based. Licences come with conditions and codes of practice on fairness, age checks, anti-money laundering and safer gambling.
For players, a UKGC licence means the operator must check age and identity before play, take part in the GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme, follow stake limits on online slots and cap bonus wagering requirements. Complaints go to the operator first and then to an approved independent ADR provider.
To check a licence, search the Commission's public register of businesses by company name, trading name, website domain or account number. Each entry shows licence status, approved domains and any regulatory action.
Recent changes
9 April 2025 and 21 May 2025: online slots stake limits of 5 pounds (age 25 and over) and 2 pounds (under 25) came into force under SI 2025/215. 19 January 2026: bonus wagering requirements capped at 10 times and mixed-product promotions banned (first set for 19 December 2025, then moved).
UKGC licence facts
| Country | United Kingdom (Great Britain) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Law | Gambling Act 2005 |
| Licenses | online casino, online and retail betting, bingo, land-based casinos, arcades and gaming machines, lotteries, The National Lottery |
| Licence types | Operating licences for remote and non-remote gambling, Remote casino operating licence |
| Market | Licences operators serving players in Great Britain only |
| Self-exclusion | GAMSTOP: online self-exclusion scheme that all licensed online operators have had to join since 31 March 2020 |
| Player protection | Age and identity must be verified before a customer can deposit, gamble or play free-to-play games (since 7 May 2019). Operators cannot demand ID as a condition of withdrawal if they could have asked earlier. Online slots stake limit of 5 pounds per spin for adults 25 and over (since 9 April 2025) and 2 pounds for adults under 25 (since 21 May 2025). Bonus wagering requirements capped at 10 times the bonus (since 19 January 2026). Promotions that require play across two or more product types are banned (since 19 January 2026). Licensed online operators must take part in GAMSTOP. |
| Complaints | Complain to the gambling business first and allow up to eight weeks. If still unresolved, take the case to the free, independent ADR provider the business names (the Commission approves a list of ADR providers). The Commission itself does not review or overturn ADR decisions. |
| Licence register | www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/businesses |
| Website | www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk |
Casinos with a UKGC licence
Casinos with a CasinoHub page that list this licence, most hunted first.
UKGC licence FAQ
How do I check if a casino holds a UKGC licence?
Search the public register of businesses on gamblingcommission.gov.uk. You can search by company name, trading name, website domain or account number, and the entry shows whether the licence is active, suspended or revoked.
When was the Gambling Commission set up?
It was created under the Gambling Act 2005 and took up its full powers in 2007, when it replaced the Gaming Board for Great Britain. It took over the National Lottery Commission's role in 2013.
What is the maximum stake on online slots in Great Britain?
5 pounds per spin for adults aged 25 and over, in force since 9 April 2025, and 2 pounds per spin for adults under 25, in force since 21 May 2025. The limits apply to online slots only.
How do I complain about a UKGC-licensed operator?
Use the operator's own complaints process first and allow up to eight weeks. If the issue is still not resolved, you can take it to the approved ADR provider the operator uses. ADR is free and independent.
What is GAMSTOP?
GAMSTOP is the online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Licensed online operators have been required to take part since March 2020, so one registration blocks access to all of them.
Are bonus wagering requirements limited in Great Britain?
Yes. Since 19 January 2026, wagering requirements on bonuses cannot exceed 10 times the bonus amount, and promotions that require play across different product types are banned.
Which casinos on CasinoHub hold a UKGC licence?
12 casinos with a CasinoHub page list a UKGC licence, including 247Bet, 888 Casino, Bet365, Betano. Each casino page shows the licence details we checked.
How many bonus hunts were tracked at UKGC-licensed casinos?
Streamers tracked 1 bonus hunt with CasinoHub at casinos that list a UKGC licence.
Other gambling regulators
Researched by Konrad van Daath, checked 7 November 2026. Facts come from public sources (en.wikipedia.org, gamblingcommission.gov.uk). Always confirm a licence in the regulator's own register. Gambling is for adults only and can be addictive; play responsibly.
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