Oliver is committed to helping players find safe, legal, and rewarding online casinos in the UK, offering clear, honest insights that prioritize fairness, transparency, and player protection. They prevent illegal operations and ensure all operators meet legal requirements. Government authorities oversee this process, granting licenses to those who follow the law. Licensing proves that casino, betting, and online platforms meet age checks, fairness standards, and player protection measures.
You can apply to us for a licence to provide casino games in a premises (non-remote) or online (remote). Gambling regulations are determined by each state, specifying the types of gambling allowed, where it can take place, and who is permitted to participate. States may have different legal gambling ages and restrictions on the types of gambling activities that certain age groups can engage in.
Personal licences are subject to mandatory maintenance every five years by providing updated personal information and paying a fee of GBP370. In 2024–25, 156 new operating licence applications were submitted and 75% were processed within 16 weeks. Gambling, per the Gambling Act 2005, means gaming, betting or participating in a lottery. In the past year, changes have been made to AML legislation impacting the AML/CFT obligations of licensees. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) was updated in July 2025 by separate legislation to increase the threshold amount for submitting a defence against money laundering to GBP3,000. This is a condition of your licence under LCCP Condition 8 – Display of licensed status.
These Requirements cover a variety of equipment including a Dealbet Casino ‘live’ roulette wheel and bingo tickets. The following legislation and policies are also applicable to operating licence holders. Gambling laws in North America vary significantly between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
UK Gambling License: Laws and Regulations
There are extensive marketing and consumer protection restrictions, and these are described above. As noted above, from 1 May 2025, operators may only directly market to customers that have consented to marketing on a granular per product (i.e., casino, bingo, betting) and per channel (i.e., SMS, email) basis. Affiliates are also coming under increased scrutiny (at least politically) and the links between gambling advertising and sport are likewise coming under increased political scrutiny. This distinction cannot be ignored, and the regulator has no power to grant a licence that authorises both remote and land-based activity. Other than that, different types of gambling activity conducted by the same media can be combined – for www.dobrenoviny.sk example, a “remote” gambling operating licence might well have betting, gaming and software operation endorsed upon it. The UK Gambling Commission has broad powers to enforce gambling laws and monitor operator compliance.
Read on to learn how to find the best online casinos in West Virginia, who has a great casino app, and how to take advantage of the best online casino bonuses. Select your state below to jump to more information about the legal online casinos available where you live… At this moment, at least 25 US states have legalized and regulated state licensed online gambling in some form. However, most states have limited their legalization efforts to sports betting. Having a valid UKGC gambling license is a requirement for operating a gambling website that allows British players to join. Casinos that operate under the UKGC license offer a robust and secure gaming environment.
Are online casinos regulated in the UK?
- Online gambling laws in the UK establish clear rules to protect players and ensure fair and responsible gaming.
- Compliance and enforcement activity continue to reveal that operators’ AML policies, procedures and controls are not fit for purpose and, in many cases, customers are allowed to gamble using the proceeds of criminal activity.
- Fortune Horizon Casino, Goat Spins Casino, High Roller Casino, Slots.lv, True Fortune Casino, and Vegas Gems Casino must all cease operations or face legal action from the Attorney General.
- The ratings are based on comprehensive UK casino reviews carried out by Bojoko’s casino experts.
Daily fantasy sports app Betr Picks have this week announced the launch of a new peer-to-peer skills-based gaming brand called Betr Arcade. Operational in 29 states at launch, Betr Arcade is positioned as a fun and competitive alternative for players in states where iGaming isn’t legal. Players will get the chance to compete in real-money games with layers of strategy and skill built into their design and wagers starting from $1.25 for real money matches. Yes, even though most states do not regulate online casinos, there are many trustworthy off-shore casino sites that will accept players from states all over the USA. Use this US gambling map to check which states allow casinos, legal online gambling, and sports betting. Native American casinos are located in 28 states across the U.S., operating under separate rules from commercial venues.
Non-UK gambling sites may be safe, but there is no real way of knowing beforehand. The UKGC is a strict licensor and regulator, meaning that licensed casinos must be provably safe. Non-UK sites have looser regulations and face less scrutiny if they operate maliciously. These casinos must follow strict regulations regarding player security, from financial information to the fairness of games. The idea behind bonuses is to enhance the player experience with additional value.
It’s a good way to familiarize yourself with the pace, rules, and other players before jumping in. States require licensed operators to take steps that prevent harm, promote responsible gambling, and support those at risk. The GA 2005 was written to reform the prior legislation that divvied out regulatory responsibilities to several different governmental bodies.
If we’re taking about big names in the casino world, then we humbly suggest it’s hard to overlook Caesars Palace Online Casino Casino. As well as being known for their Vegas hotel experience, we’re pleased to report that the online casino offers provides a standout casino platform, based entirely on their mobile app. Most states set all their age minimums to 21 years of age, though a few have sports betting options and other kinds of Class II style gambling opportunities for 18+ players. Additionally, no federal laws bar the activity, as all US betting mandates apply only to domestic sportsbooks (i.e., the Wire Act) and US-based financial institutions (i.e., the UIGEA), not to players themselves.