Age, ID and financial verification
Option (1) would provide fairness and consistency across all casinos that are able to site 80 machines. We are also consulting on whether the maximum size of a 1968 Act casino’s gambling area must – like that of a Small 2005 Act casino – be less than 1,500sqm, if it resolves to exercise its entitlement to more than 20 machines (including at least one Category B machine). The tables below outline current and proposed space requirements for 2005 Act casinos, and 1968 Act casinos which seek to increase their gaming machine entitlement above 20 (including at least one Category B machine). This would ensure that regardless of the size of venue, most casinos will be able to site the same proportion of machines to tables. This would mean the introduction of a machine-to-table ratio for 1968 Act casinos that seek to increase their Category B gaming machine entitlement above 20, and a change to the machine-to-table ratio currently in place for Small 2005 Act casinos. It was also noted from the call for evidence that where other jurisdictions apply a machine to table ratio, all currently permit a greater proportion of gaming machines in comparison to Great Britain.
The UKGC licensing framework is one of the most robust in the world, and every item in the table above represents a real legal protection you receive when you play at a licensed site. Once you know how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed, you can use this comparison to understand exactly why licensed sites are the only safe choice for UK players. UK players should also be aware of casino affordability checks UK operators must conduct under 2026 rules. The UKGC issues different licence types for different gambling activities. For more on these protections, read our guide to UK casino regulations 2026.
- We expect this measure to restrict the play of under-18s on machines in scope.
- If this information is missing or unclear, it is a big enough sign to opt for a different casino.
- Further information on these changes will be published as it becomes available on the Gambling Commission’s website and communicated to operators and licensing authorities.
- However, we think that this is an important tool that staff could use to monitor players and therefore, it should be a feature on Category B and C machines accepting cashless payments.
- You will be responsible for ensuring that the software you supply is capable of being deployed in a manner that complies with our Remote gambling and software technical standards.
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Further information on these changes will be published as it becomes available on the Gambling Commission’s website and communicated to operators and licensing authorities. The draft Casinos Regulations form part of a package of interlinked statutory instruments which amend the regulatory framework for land-based casinos. Licensed gambling businesses must display that they are licensed and also provide a link to our public register. A company that runs four casino brands under one licence will have four separate site entries, each with its own Domain Score.
Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers dealing with the proceedings of licensing boards may make separate provision for the functions of the boards under the Licensing (Scotland) Act and under this Part. The procedures that apply to the proceedings of licensing boards in the exercise of their functions under that Act apply to the proceedings of those boards in relation to their functions under this Part. 422.In Scotland, licensing authorities are licensing boards established under section 1 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.
You can apply online for a licence from us to provide casino activities. You will need to apply for an operating licence, before you apply for any premises licences. You will need to apply to the licensing authority the premises is located, to get a premises licence. The Gambling Act 2005 permits the advertising of gambling in all forms, provided that it is legal and there are adequate protections in place to prevent such advertisements undermining the licensing objectives. Under the second stage of the process the authority has to decide between the competing applications and grant any available licences to those applications which in their opinion will result in the greatest benefit to its area.
A low number of premises visits may also be indicative of the lack of funding received by licensing authorities to fully undertake duties, such as inspections, alongside other administrative and enforcement functions. However, premises visits are only one aspect of a licensing authorities regulatory work. A number of these responses acknowledged the financial pressures placed on licensing authorities, which was reflected by the substantial number of industry responses that advocated for a 10% increase. A key stated benefit was the ability to undertake more proactive engagement and enforcement activities with licensed premises.
Similarly, a centrally co-ordinated self-exclusion database (“GAMSTOP”) also allows customers to self-exclude from remote gambling offered by operators licensed by the Gambling Commission. Hence, the typical remote gambling business will require three types of British licence to lawfully offer remote gambling to British residents – an “operating” licence, a software “operating” licence and a suite of personal licences for its main personnel. Suppliers of gambling machines made available for use in land-based environments similarly need to obtain their own licence. This so-called “point-of-supply” legislative scheme was reversed (in the case of remote gambling) by the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, which converted the British system into a so-called “point-of-consumption” regime, which criminalised any person in any jurisdiction who makes available facilities for gambling to British players on a remote basis without British licences. In addition, alcohol licenses premises can apply for a gaming machine permit for additional machines.
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Industry responses were opposed to increasing the maximum chargeable fees beyond 10% for 2 main reasons. Responses from industry advocated for either no increase in the maximum chargeable premises fees or a small increase of 10%. Licensing authorities highlighted numerous benefits 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. The consultation asked the questions below on whether licensing authority fees should be increased, and if so, by how much.
This is a condition of your licence under LCCP Condition 8 – Display of licensed status. You are required to tell us about certain things that happen in your business, these are dependent on the licences and activities you hold. Compliance activity is based on risk and the risk that each licensed activity poses to the Gambling Commission’s licensing objectives.
Non-remote 1968 Act casino operating licence
Senior commission staff review the complete assessment. Pay initial application fee (£2,590 for most remote licenses). For more context on jurisdictional costs, see our licensing cost breakdown. Smart operators spend 3-6 months preparing before submission. Most operators need multiple licenses. Market access to 40+ million adults with legal gambling spend exceeding £14.2 billion annually.
5.—(1) The condition specified in this regulation is attached to each remote casino operating licence, including remote casino operating licences issued before this regulation comes into force. The SI has the effect of adding a new condition to all remote casino operating licences. Covers high street betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and adult gaming centres. Navigate our comprehensive database of Gambling Commission licensed operators, brands and licences If you run a 1968 Act casino, you should already have a premises licence from your local licensing authority. The agency regulates a wide range of services, including betting, lotteries, casinos, and digital gambling platforms.
For operators seeking to access the UK market, the UKGC licence is a prerequisite. The Gambling License Register also tracks UKGC-licensed operators and provides direct links to the Commission’s public register entries where available. The Gambling Commission maintains a public register of all current operating licences and personal licences. The levy is calculated at a rate ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% of gross gambling yield (depending on the licensed product), based on the amount reported in the operator’s regulatory returns for the previous 12-month period. The Commission’s preferred option would see an average 30% increase in annual operating licence fees.
Six guarantees you get at a licensed casino that you simply don’t at an unlicensed one. Use these focused guides when you want a specific payment, withdrawal, or safer gambling check before choosing a casino. Our editorial team checks every site listed here, but we always recommend you independently verify — always check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed before you play. Understanding how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed protects your money, your rights, and your access to GamStop self-exclusion.
The consideration of representations should be the same as that for normal applications for premises licences, detailed in Part 7 of this guidance. As with all deliberations in premises licences, the authority should not confuse planning and building regulation considerations with the matter before it. It is possible that the number of applications that the relevant licensing authorities will receive will exceed the number of licences available. Where an application is made in the form of a provisional statement it is to be treated in the same way as an application for a casino premises licence and included in any two-stage determination process that the authority is required to carry out.
In addition, as the maximum stake on these machines is 10p, these machines are less likely to be played in an area where there are Category C machines which have a maximum stake of £1 and can often be played at different staking levels up to this maximum. The industry has said that they are primarily used by family members who are 18 or over, while children play machines like crane grabs and coin pushers in the same area. They do not have any age restricted areas as they have no adult-only machines. However, due to the lack of substantive research or evidence clearly identifying harms resulting from general Category D machines, we do not support a ban on children accessing other Category D machines, such as those that pay out in tickets, crane grabbers or coin pushers. Bacta reports that this typically includes locating the machines close to a supervisor’s booth or other more visible locations, and they state that it works well in ensuring under-18s do not access the machines. As set out in the white paper, Bacta did not include Category D ‘ticket-out’ slot-style machines within this ban.
Using a debit card on a machine is a different experience for the customer compared to cash or tickets where a process casino not on gamstop such as going to an ATM has been undertaken before the person can put money onto the machine. The maximum transaction limit, aligned with a minimum transaction time, will provide an additional point of friction to the customer if they wish to put more than this amount onto the machine. However, customers can continue to deposit money onto the machine without needing to pause or undertake an action. Some responses stated it should be £1, in line with their view that cashless payments should not be permitted at all. A range of responses were given to what the maximum transaction should be for direct cashless payments. These regulations apply in different circumstances, including when a payer initiates an electronic payment transaction.
While not as liberalising as Option 3, responses from some operators indicated that increases in Category B cabinets would not be vastly different to projections provided for Option 3. The majority of these respondents stated a preference for Option 2, as this would place the greatest restriction on the number of Category B machines available in arcades and bingo clubs. These responses were strongly opposed to Option 2(a) and Option 2(b) on the grounds that the ratios proposed place too much emphasis on achieving commercial flexibility for businesses at the expense of mitigating against risks of gambling-related harm. The evidence provided by this operator projected that under Option 2(a), no further increases in Category B machines could be made, although 5% to 10% of Category C machines and up to 80% of Category D machines could be removed. While the majority of operators were supportive of Option 2(b), one small multi-site operator stated that this option would be commercially detrimental, requiring it to make an additional 12 Category C or D cabinets available to meet this ratio.
Checking a casino’s current licence status is a simple way to confirm it is meeting those standards right now. You can learn more about this in our guide on how to protect your rights at an online casino. You could also find licence details listed in the about us section, the help pages, or the responsible gambling page. You may see the licensing authority’s logo or written details about the licence issuer and number. We’ll show you how to check a casino’s licence in 5 simple steps. That’s why you should only play at licensed casino sites.
Categories include land-based, online, and ancillary licenses (e.g., phone or email betting). Remote gambling licenses cover online operations. The draft Casinos Regulations form part of a package of interlinked statutory instruments which make changes to the regulatory framework for land-based casinos. Draft statutory instruments that form part of the package of measures that will change the regulatory framework for land-based casinos. Many such sites promote unlicensed operators or are influenced by commercial relationships rather than player interests.
Please select all the ways you would like to hear from -casinos.com If an online casino cannot demonstrate it holds a valid UKGC licence, it is not worth your time or money. Licensed online casinos always display a link to the UKGC website. At most online casinos, licencing information is displayed in the website footer.