Online Casinos Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission in 2024

All Casinos Operating Under the UK Gambling Commission – Last Updated in 2024

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Main Info About Gambling Commission in the UK

The UK Gambling Commission, founded in 2007, is the primary regulator of most forms of gambling in the UK. Established under the Gambling Act of 2005, it ensures fairness, transparency, and player protection by licensing and regulating individuals and businesses that offer gambling in the UK. This includes licensing land-based casinos, online platforms, sports betting sites, lotteries, bingo halls, and other gaming machines.

Operating under the jurisdiction of the UK Government, the authority is also responsible for creating awareness about problem gambling and helping those who suffer from it. If you sense problem gambling, you can contact the commission via an online contact form or phone to get help. Additionally, the commission allows UK residents to report something confidential or something that looks illegal concerning UKGC-licensed casinos.

The Gambling Commission’s mandate also extends to enforcement. It audits licensed operators periodically to ensure they comply with rules and regulations. If a gambling business violates any rules, the commission can act against it. This may include revoking licences or imposing fines.

Requirements to Obtain a UK Gambling Commission Licence

To acquire a UKGC licence, individuals or gambling businesses must provide the necessary documents to prove their suitability. When assessing licence applications, the UKGC usually considers two main factors:

• Business intentions: This involves assessing the company’s objectives, strategies, and financial projections. To pass this screening process, applicants must provide a detailed business plan that outlines the products or services offered, the target market, marketing strategies, and the competitive landscape.
• Suitability: This process involves reviewing documents that confirm the applicants’ identities. It also includes evaluating their past and present financial circumstances, competence, and criminal records.

The documents needed when applying for a UK Gambling licence may vary depending on the type of business. For example, a sole proprietor must submit identity documents, while a limited company must provide a certificate of incorporation, articles of association, and a memorandum of association. Gambling businesses based in other countries must also provide credit reports and copies of licences issued by other jurisdictions.

Our research also shows that documents may vary depending on the type of licence applied for. For example, applicants for a remote certification must submit documentation showing remote-specific policies and procedures. Other core documents applicants must include bank statements, general policies and procedures, crime prevention measures, and players’ terms and conditions.

How to Verify Casino Licensing by the Gambling Commission

There is a public register of all UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos. If you want to check if a platform is authorised in the UK, just follow these steps:

1. Head to the commission’s official website.
2. Enter the account number or the company name in the search tab at the top-right corner.
3. You will see all relevant details if the casino is licensed.

Before choosing a website, we recommend reading online casino reviews and ensuring the reliability and safety of the platform. This will provide a secure and enjoyable experience without any unpleasant surprises.

Which Casinos Does the UK Gambling Commission License?

The Gambling Commission regulates online casinos that want to serve UK residents. An online platform must acquire a remote gambling licence. To operate legally, UKGC-licensed platforms must also have their company and servers physically located in the UK.

NextCasino is one of the most trusted online casinos, operating with a licence granted by the UK Gambling Commission. The casino was founded in 2013. It is operated by AG Communications Limited, a company licensed by the UKGC under account number 39483. This remote gambling certification allows NextCasino to offer various games for UK players.

Although this platform does not qualify as a no deposit bonus casino, it welcomes all new UK casino players with a 100% match welcome bonus of up to $50+50 bonus spins on the Book of Dead slot. Our research has shown that the welcome bonus requires a minimum deposit of £20. Besides, the match bonus has low wagering requirements of 35x, which you must fulfil within 21 days of bonus issuance.

Besides offering a tasty welcome bonus, NextCasino has hundreds of games for UK punters. The casino has something for everyone, from slot games to table games, video poker, and live games. The website has collaborated with well-known software providers such as NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Evolution Gaming.

Types of UK Gambling Commission Licences

While various forms of gambling are allowed in the UK, each is regulated differently by the Gambling Commission. The activities are considered illegal unless provided by businesses holding the appropriate permissions. To operate legally in the UK, operators must secure one of the following remote casino licences:

• Casino operating licence: Online casinos can offer different games in the UK. These include online slot machines, table games, online poker, and live casinos.
• Bingo operating licence: Operators can provide UK residents with games remotely.
• Pool betting operating licence: This allows gambling businesses to offer pool betting services remotely.
• General betting standard real events licence: It allows gambling businesses to offer fixed odds betting services such as basketball and sports matches.
• General betting standard virtual events licence: This allows operators to offer fixed odds betting on virtual events.
• Lottery operating licence: Operators can remotely offer lottery games to UK residents.

The Gambling Commission also provides non-remote operating permissions, which land-based operators need to offer gambling services on their physical premises. The commission also issues Ancillary operating licences to operators who offer email and telephone betting.

UK Gambling Commission Gambling Licence Cost

Although the UK Gambling Commission doesn’t issue a traditional gambling licence, the cost of setting up UK Gambling licensed casinos varies depending on several factors, including the size of the business and location. Therefore, you must consult a business advisor or lawyer for accurate startup costs.

The licence cost, however, varies depending on the business’s type and Gross Gambling Yield (GGY). Based on our observations, the following are the application and annual fees you will pay for the above remote gambling licences.

Remote Betting Intermediary Operating Licence Fees

The table below details the application and annual fees for the remote betting intermediary operating licence as established by the UK Gambling Commission. These fees are categorised based on the anticipated Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) to provide clarity for operators within the remote betting sector.

Fees and Requirements for Remote Casino Game Host Operating Licences

This table outlines the application and annual fees associated with remote casino game host operating licences, categorised by the annual GGY. The fees vary significantly based on the GGY, with higher earners facing increased costs. Understanding these fees is essential for businesses looking to operate legally in the online casino sector.

Remote Pool Betting License Fee

This table presents the fee structure for remote pool betting licences, detailing both application and annual fees across different GGY brackets. The costs are tiered, meaning that as the business’s GGY increases, both the application and annual fees rise. These fees are crucial for operators to consider when budgeting for licensing.

Remote Society Lottery Licence Fees

This table provides an overview of the application and annual fees for remote society lottery licences, again categorised by annual GGY. The structure shows a gradual increase in fees, reflecting the scale of operations. This information is vital for organisations wishing to run society lotteries, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Player Protection With UK Gambling Commission Licences

UK-licensed online casinos are among the safest and most secure gaming sites you will ever come across. UKGC casinos must comply with the rules and regulations set by the regulatory authority. Non-compliance can lead to the revocation of the licence or the imposition of fines.

The commission also protects players by occasionally issuing new guidance for operators. The guidance may include restrictions on bonus offers, prevention of reverse withdrawals, affordability checks, and banning the usage of certain payment methods in gambling. If a player feels mistreated by UK-licensed casinos, they can always lodge complaints with the commission via an online contact form or phone.

While the UK Gambling Authority oversees all types of gambling, the level of player protection tends to be more robust in land-based casinos than online ones. Online casino players face more significant risks due to the absence of strict regulations. However, with the Gambling Commission offering guidance regularly, future plans might include stricter requirements for online operators.

How to Get the UK Gambling Commission Gambling Licence

Any person who wants to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission must be at least 18. You can visit the UK Gambling Commission’s official site for further guidance on the application process.

1. Register a company: You should also remember to obtain a Data Processing Licence from the Ministry of Economy. It provides a framework to protect sensitive information.
2. Register an account with the Gambling Commission: If you are applying for a licence online, you must register an account on the UKGC website. You will provide details such as first name, last name, company name, telephone number, email address, and password.
3. Make an application: Once you register, log in to your account and click on the “New Application” button. After that, provide your name, entity type, and company purpose.
4. Submit relevant documents: Depending on the entity type, the Gambling Commission will require you to submit documents such as a business plan, share certificates, management structure, article of association, constitution, and rules of play.
5. Submit application: After submitting the necessary documents, you can review and submit the application summary.
6. Make payment: Applicants must pay the application fee after applying. The fee depends on the licence type. The annual licence fee, on the other hand, is paid within 30 days after the licence is issued.

Pros and Cons of Operating Under the UK Gambling Commission

Operating under the UKGC’s jurisdiction, online casinos present a range of benefits, including low costs, quick setup, and a high level of player protection. However, the licence comes with a few drawbacks. According to our experience, below are the pros and cons to note:

• Licence applications can be submitted online in under an hour with proper documentation

• Low costs and fees – £4,224 to apply and £4,199 annually for GGY up to £550,000

• UKGC’s standards align with global markets, easing international expansion

• UKGC ensures operators uphold high standards and imposes fines for player mistreatment

• Credit card usage is banned, and most UK casinos don’t support cryptocurrencies

• Players may face higher risks due to less stringent controls

UK Gambling Commission Contacts

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to the Gambling Commission via the following channels: