If you’re a UK player looking for a reputable casino, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, we have listed hundreds of UKGC licensed casinos, each with its own distinctions that you can explore further in our reviews.
What Is the UK Gambling Commission?
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC for short) is the regulatory authority overseeing all gambling activities in the United Kingdom. The Gambling Commission was set up in 2007 under the Gambling Act 2005 as the umbrella law to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
Its primary role is to ensure that any kind of gambling activity is conducted fairly, openly, and free from crime on both ends - from players' perspective and the point of view of casino operators. Therefore, the Commission issues brick-and-mortar and online casino permits, enforces compliance with gambling laws, protects players, and promotes responsible gambling.
It also works to prevent underage gambling and money laundering within the industry in partnership with various charities and civil society organisations. The Commission is widely respected for maintaining high standards and helping create a safer and more transparent gambling environment for players and businesses alike.
In 2013, the UK Gambling Commission also took over the responsibilities of the National Lottery Commission.
How Casinos Become Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission
Becoming a UKGC casino is no easy venture. Before being granted a permit, prospective licensees must prove their business worth and willingness to adhere to strict rules and regulations concerning responsible gambling and anti-money laundering practices.
Responsible gambling is among the fundamental aspects of the UKGC gambling permit. Gambling operators must offer a series of responsible gaming tools to players, including but not limited to self-exclusion, session and deposit limits, time-out limits, etc.
With a reputation of offering one of the most stringent online casino licences in the world, it's no wonder UKGC employs comprehensive and far-reaching anti-money laundering measures and expects its licensees to adhere to the rules. Among other procedures, all UKGC sites must conduct KYC (Know-Your-Customer) verifications on their customers.
The Commission regularly conducts audits of online casino operators and doesn't shy away from revoking a license or imposing harsh monetary penalties.
Once an application is submitted, it takes UKGC 16 weeks to review and issue a permit. The licensing fee varies depending on the licence type an operator wishes to get their hands on. Therefore, operators sometimes must apply for a combination of permits. The annual fee is due 30 days after the issuance date.
The UKGC offers an operating licence fee calculator to give prospective operators a ballpark figure of their annual costs.
The Benefits of Playing at UKGC Casinos
While online casinos take virtually endless shapes and sizes, one thing is sure: picking any from the UKGC licensed casino list guarantees that your data will be kept secure and your withdrawals will end in your pocket.
First, the UKGC demands that licence holders enforce strong player protection rules. The guidance on bonuses, deposits and withdrawals, and gameplay is set in stone, and there is no meandering from the law. Full information must be provided beforehand so players are not misled in any way.
Second, UKGC licensed casinos must guarantee fair gaming. All UK casinos must undergo independent RNG audits periodically to vouch for the fairness of games. You will commonly see British casinos bearing a stamp from GLI or eCOGRA as proof of their fair gaming practices.
Third, responsible gaming is one of the most glaring benefits of playing at UK Gambling Commission-approved sites compared to other gambling jurisdictions and licenses. Responsible gaming tools such as deposit/betting limits, self-exclusion register participation, and risk awareness are mandatory, unlike when carrying a licence from other globally accepted regulators.
Third, the financial health of licensees is kept under constant oversight, ensuring players are paid out fairly and in line with casinos' individual terms and conditions.
Fourth, fraud and illegal activities are strictly prohibited, and licensed operators in the UK must carry out KYC checks for all customers to combat potential fraud and money laundering.
Due to strict rules, UKGC licence holders are generally very quick off the mark and hearing about a serious issue with a UKGC casino is a rare occurrence.
How to Find the Best UKGC Licensed Casinos
Finding the best among the UKGC licensed casino list is not hard; start by browsing the collection above and see what you like:
- Browse the list of UKGC licensed casinos.
- After you settle on several brands, read their respective casino reviews.
- Pick one and check out their welcome offer.
- Start playing your favourite games.
Although British players are allowed to play only at UKGC licensed casinos, you can also browse casinos by country if you want to check whether a UK gambling site is available in other jurisdictions.
New UKGC Licensed Casinos
Since the UK Gambling Commission license is not easy to obtain due to strict rules and high costs, online casinos in the UK don't precisely crop up daily.
We update this page anytime we add a new casino to our database, but remember that it may take weeks to list two UK-facing casinos. Unlike with some other gambling authorities, the procedure is much more complicated with the UKGC, so operators don't embark on the road to getting it lightly.
UKGC Contact Details
- Address: Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP
- Fax: 0121 230 6720
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 0121 230 6666
- Website: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/
