UKGC and licensed casinos: Your guide to safe UK gambling

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) was established in 2007 under the Gambling Act 2005.

While newer than some international regulators, it quickly became a global leader, necessitated by the rapid expansion of the online gambling market in Great Britain.

Its remit is broad, covering all commercial gambling operations, from online casinos and betting sites to high-street betting shops, arcades, and even regulating the operation of the National Lottery.

The UKGC's overarching statutory duties focus on three key areas:

• Preventing crime from being associated with gambling.

• Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.

• Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

How the UKGC works

The UKGC operates through a rigorous licensing and compliance framework. Every operator wishing to serve British consumers must hold a UKGC licence, which is subject to continuous scrutiny and often involves significant penalties for failure.

Protecting the player's funds and games

UKGC-licensed casinos must demonstrate that they protect player funds and use fair games. This is enforced through a strict Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).

• Fairness and openness: Operators are required to maintain fair and open terms, particularly concerning bonus offers. In one reporting period (2023-2024), the UKGC completed 58 website reviews, with most being found either compliant or having minor issues relating to promotional bonus offer terms.

• Player funds protection: Licensees must segregate player deposits from operational funds. The UKGC strictly monitors the processing of customer withdrawals, which has been a primary source of consumer complaints (over 2,400 complaints in 2023 were related to delays in fund withdrawal).

Enforcement and penalties

The UKGC is highly active in penalising operators who fail to meet social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) standards.

Below are a couple of key examples of enforcement actions dished out by the UKGC:

Applying for a UKGC gambling licence

If you're a UK-based online casino looking for a licence with the UKGC, there are a few steps you will need to take to obtain one. Go through the following stages, and you'll be well on your way:

1. Go to the UKGC gambling licence application page.

2. Fill out the details of your UK online casino site.

3. Wait to hear back from the UKGC for the next stages. They'll need to see a handful of documents from you to proceed.

The fees vary depending on which services each online UK casino is offering. The more available, the higher the cost. If you are an online casino site looking for a UKGC licence, be aware that the fees jumped recently. You can check out the fee calculator to get an idea of the costs of your casino.

How to make a complaint via the UKGC

If a player notices suspicious or untoward behaviour from a UKGC-licenced operator, they should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the casino.

If unresolved, the next step is to use the UKGC's formal complaints process.

• UKGC role: The UKGC does not typically handle individual disputes directly. Instead, they require the operator to use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service.

• ADR services: You will be directed to an independent, free-to-use ADR company (such as eCOGRA or IBAS) to mediate the dispute.

• Enforcement action: The UKGC uses these complaints and dispute data to inform its ongoing compliance assessments and enforcement actions, ensuring that systemic failings are addressed across the industry.

If you want to take immediate action against a UKGC licenced operator, you can head to UKGC complaints page.

Finding a safe UKGC casino online

Every online casino site with a UKGC licence should have its licence number listed on its website. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of said licence, you can head over to the UKGC homepage. Here, you can search by business name or licence number to ensure that a licence is legit. If it's not, we recommend reporting it to the UKGC immediately!

Responsible gambling under the UKGC licence

One of the main areas in which the UKGC prides itself is responsible gambling. It wants to make sure that every user of a UK online casino is playing safely. That means protecting those who are financially vulnerable or addicted to gambling.

There's a general enquiries contact number you can call if you want to know more about responsible gambling at online casinos in the UK. It's 0121 230 6666. While there doesn't appear to be an email address for the UKGC, you can reach out to them using their online contact form if you prefer.

The UKGC in 3 key takeaways

For a quick summary of the UKGC's core responsibilities, key enforcement actions, and what this regulatory framework means for you as a player, consult the vital statistics below:

Aspect	Key function and data point	What this means for you
Purpose	Established in 2007 to regulate all commercial gambling in Great Britain (online, land-based, and the National Lottery).	Only play with operators who visibly display a UKGC licence number—it is your guarantee of regulatory oversight.
Player safety	Enforces strict LCCP rules on fairness and fund segregation. In 2023-2024, significant fines (over £214M) were issued for major failings in social responsibility and AML.	Your deposits are segregated from the casino's operating funds, and penalties ensure operators remain accountable and fair.
Safer gambling focus	Actively working to reduce the 2.7% problem gambling rate and implementing new rules, such as enhanced financial checks for high-spending customers.	UKGC licensees must provide robust tools (deposit limits, time-outs) and intervene when concerning behaviours are identified.