Online gambling offered to consumers in Great Britain is regulated by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005, and since the 2014 point-of-consumption reform any operator serving British customers needs a Commission remote operating licence wherever it is based. Game and platform suppliers must hold a remote gambling software licence, and suppliers that host games for other operators also need a host licence. Licensees must meet the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) and the Remote gambling and software technical standards (RTS). Recent changes include online slot stake caps of GBP 5 (GBP 2 for 18-24 year olds) from 2025, a bonus wagering cap of 10x, and a rise in Remote Gaming Duty to 40% from 1 April 2026. Northern Ireland sits outside the Commission's gambling remit apart from the National Lottery.
Which verticals are legal in the United Kingdom
Status is the position for a licensed operator, not for offshore supply.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Not stated
Esports Betting
Not stated
Horse Racing / Pool Betting
Licensed
Remote pool betting and remote general betting licences cover racing and pool bets.
Land-based Casino
Licensed
Non-remote 1968 Act and 2005 Act casino operating licences plus premises licences.
Online Bingo
Licensed
Requires a remote bingo operating licence.
Online Casino
Licensed
Requires a remote casino operating licence from the Gambling Commission; online slots have stake limits.
Online Lottery
Licensed
Society lotteries need a remote society lottery licence; the National Lottery is separately regulated by the Commission.
Online Poker
Licensed
Covered by the remote casino operating licence, which includes poker.
Online Sports Betting
Licensed
Requires a remote general betting operating licence (real or virtual events).
Retail Betting
Licensed
Non-remote general betting operating licences plus betting premises licences.
Skill Games
Not stated
Social / Sweepstakes Casino
Not stated
United Kingdom licence types and what they cost4
Fees are the published headline figures. Tiered and revenue-banded amounts
are set out in the notes under each licence.
Remote casino game host operating licence
B2B Supplier
Gambling software businesses that host their own casino games on their servers for customers of other licensed operators, without contracting directly with players.
Application
GBP 3,168
Annual
GBP 3,142
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current F1 below GBP 550,000 to M1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 3,168 to 68,765). New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 6,711 (F1) to GBP 135,357 (J1); annual from GBP 5,750. Bingo host and betting host (real/virtual events) licences also exist.
Conditions to satisfy
Must also hold a gambling software operating licence
No direct contracts with players
GB players must contract with a UKGC-licensed B2C operator
Online Casino
Remote casino operating licence
B2C Operator
Any business, wherever based, offering casino games (including slots, poker, roulette and blackjack) online to consumers in Great Britain, or with remote gambling equipment in Great Britain.
Application
GBP 4,224
Annual
GBP 4,199
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current categories F1 below GBP 550,000 to M1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 4,224 to 91,686). First annual fee due 30 days after issue, reduced by 25%. New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 8,185 (F1, GGY below GBP 250,000) to GBP 165,069 (J1); annual from GBP 7,000. Combined remote casino/bingo/virtual betting licences pay flat add-on fees.
Conditions to satisfy
Compliance with LCCP and RTS
Software only from UKGC gambling software licensees
GAMSTOP participation
Age and identity verification before play
Online slot stake limits
Online CasinoOnline Poker
Remote gambling software licence
Game / Software Supplier
Businesses that manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software by remote means for use by operators serving Great Britain, including game studios and platform providers.
Application
GBP 9,138
Annual
GBP 5,809
Term
—
Processing
—
Currently tiered by annual gross value of sales (F1 below GBP 200,000 to H2 GBP 30m+; application GBP 9,138 to 23,435; annual GBP 5,809 to 76,289). From 1 October 2026 tiers switch to annual GGY: application GBP 7,212 (F1, below GBP 875,000) to GBP 99,446 (H1); annual from GBP 7,394. A non-remote gambling software licence is also needed if software is supplied by non-remote means.
Conditions to satisfy
Software must be deployable in compliance with RTS
Display licensed status on B2B websites
Host licence also needed to host games for other operators
Remote general betting standard (real events) licence
B2C Operator
Operators offering betting on real events to consumers in Great Britain by remote communication, such as a website or app; virtual events need the separate virtual events licence.
Application
GBP 4,693
Annual
GBP 5,282
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current F1 below GBP 550,000 to L1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 4,693 to 41,243). New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 6,535 (F1) to GBP 90,648 (J1); annual from GBP 5,937.
Conditions to satisfy
Compliance with LCCP and RTS
GAMSTOP participation
Age and identity verification before play
No credit card payments
Online Sports BettingEsports BettingHorse Racing / Pool Betting
Remote casino game host operating licence
B2B Supplier
Gambling software businesses that host their own casino games on their servers for customers of other licensed operators, without contracting directly with players.
Application
GBP 3,168
Annual
GBP 3,142
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current F1 below GBP 550,000 to M1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 3,168 to 68,765). New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 6,711 (F1) to GBP 135,357 (J1); annual from GBP 5,750. Bingo host and betting host (real/virtual events) licences also exist.
Conditions to satisfy
Must also hold a gambling software operating licence
No direct contracts with players
GB players must contract with a UKGC-licensed B2C operator
Online Casino
Remote gambling software licence
Game / Software Supplier
Businesses that manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software by remote means for use by operators serving Great Britain, including game studios and platform providers.
Application
GBP 9,138
Annual
GBP 5,809
Term
—
Processing
—
Currently tiered by annual gross value of sales (F1 below GBP 200,000 to H2 GBP 30m+; application GBP 9,138 to 23,435; annual GBP 5,809 to 76,289). From 1 October 2026 tiers switch to annual GGY: application GBP 7,212 (F1, below GBP 875,000) to GBP 99,446 (H1); annual from GBP 7,394. A non-remote gambling software licence is also needed if software is supplied by non-remote means.
Conditions to satisfy
Software must be deployable in compliance with RTS
Display licensed status on B2B websites
Host licence also needed to host games for other operators
Any business, wherever based, offering casino games (including slots, poker, roulette and blackjack) online to consumers in Great Britain, or with remote gambling equipment in Great Britain.
Application
GBP 4,224
Annual
GBP 4,199
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current categories F1 below GBP 550,000 to M1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 4,224 to 91,686). First annual fee due 30 days after issue, reduced by 25%. New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 8,185 (F1, GGY below GBP 250,000) to GBP 165,069 (J1); annual from GBP 7,000. Combined remote casino/bingo/virtual betting licences pay flat add-on fees.
Conditions to satisfy
Compliance with LCCP and RTS
Software only from UKGC gambling software licensees
GAMSTOP participation
Age and identity verification before play
Online slot stake limits
Online CasinoOnline Poker
Remote general betting standard (real events) licence
B2C Operator
Operators offering betting on real events to consumers in Great Britain by remote communication, such as a website or app; virtual events need the separate virtual events licence.
Application
GBP 4,693
Annual
GBP 5,282
Term
—
Processing
—
Tiered by annual GGY (current F1 below GBP 550,000 to L1 GBP 1bn+; application GBP 4,693 to 41,243). New fee table from 1 October 2026: application GBP 6,535 (F1) to GBP 90,648 (J1); annual from GBP 5,937.
Conditions to satisfy
Compliance with LCCP and RTS
GAMSTOP participation
Age and identity verification before play
No credit card payments
Online Sports BettingEsports BettingHorse Racing / Pool Betting
Gaming tax and regulatory charges
Everything a licensee pays in the United Kingdom on top of the licence fee.
Charge
Rate
Charged on
Paid by
Remote Gaming DutyGGR TaxOnline Casino · Online Poker
40%40% of remote gaming profits (was 21% until 31 March 2026)
Gaming provider profits on remote gaming (stakes less winnings)
1.1%1.1% of leviable amount for remote casino, remote bingo, remote general betting, remote betting intermediary and gambling software licences; lower rates (0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%) for non-remote and other licences
Leviable amount (stakes and other accruals less prizes/winnings, i.e. GGY)
Remote operators must verify a customer's name, address and date of birth before allowing them to gamble, and cannot demand ID at withdrawal if it could reasonably have been requested earlier.Source
ML/TF risk assessmentB2C Operator
Licensees must assess their money laundering and terrorist financing risk, review it at least annually or on material change, and maintain effective policies, procedures and controls.Review at least annuallySource
Responsible Gambling requirements
Age verification before playB2C Operator
Online operators must verify a customer is of legal age before the customer can deposit, use free-to-play versions of games, or gamble with own money or bonuses.18+Source
Financial limit promptB2C Operator
Online operators must prompt customers to set a financial limit before their first deposit, let them review it at any time, action decreases immediately and remind customers every six months to review account activity.Source
Financial vulnerability checksB2C Operator
Remote operators must run a light-touch public-record check (bankruptcy, CCJs, IVAs, DROs etc.) when a customer's net deposits exceed the threshold, and take proportionate action on the results.Net deposits above GBP 150 in a rolling 30 daysSource
GAMSTOP multi-operator self-exclusionB2C Operator
Remote licensees must participate in the national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme (GAMSTOP) and update their self-excluded lists every 24 hours.Source
Online slot stake limitB2C Operator
Remote casino licensees must cap the total stake per online slots game cycle, with a lower cap for players under 25; the cap does not apply to other casino games such as roulette or blackjack.GBP 5 per game cycle (25+); GBP 2 (18-24)Source
Technical & Certification requirements
Compliance with RTS and testingAll Licensees
Remote operators and gambling software licensees must comply with the Commission's technical standards and its requirements on the timing and procedures for testing.Source
Licensed software supply chainB2C Operator
All gambling software used by remote casino, bingo and betting licensees must be made, supplied, installed or adapted by a holder of a gambling software operating licence.Source
Player Funds requirements
Customer funds protection disclosureB2C Operator
Operators holding customer funds must state their insolvency protection rating, obtain the customer's acknowledgement before first use, and remind customers every six months if funds are not protected.Six-monthly reminder if not protectedSource
Payments requirements
Credit card banB2C Operator
Remote licensees must not accept payment for gambling by credit card, including credit card payments routed through a money service business.Source
Regulated payment service providers onlyB2C Operator
Remote casino, bingo and betting licensees may only accept customer payments through providers that are payment service providers under the Payment Services Regulations 2017.Source
Game Design requirements
Slot speed, autoplay and turbo banAll Licensees
Online slots need at least 2.5 seconds per game cycle (5 seconds for other casino games excluding peer-to-peer poker); autoplay, turbo/quick spin/slam stop, simultaneous play and celebrating returns at or below stake are prohibited.Min 2.5 s per slot cycle; min 5 s other casino gamesSource
Advertising & Marketing requirements
Bonus wagering cap and mixed-product banB2C Operator
Operators must not attach wagering requirements above 10 times to bonus funds, and a single incentive must not combine more than one gambling product type (betting, casino, bingo, lottery).Max 10x wageringSource
Compliance with CAP/BCAP advertising codesAll Licensees
All marketing must be socially responsible and comply with the CAP and BCAP advertising codes; people who are or appear to be under 25 must not feature (limited point-of-sale exception).Source
Direct electronic marketing consentAll Licensees
Consumers must not receive direct electronic marketing without informed, specific consent; every contact must offer a way to withdraw consent and licensees must keep evidence of consent.Source
Significant terms of promotionsAll Licensees
Significant conditions of marketing incentives must be shown prominently at point of sale and in adverts; where space is limited online, full conditions must be no more than one click away.One click awaySource
Affiliates requirements
Digital adverts on piracy sitesAll Licensees
Licensees must not place digital adverts on websites giving unauthorised access to copyrighted content, must take reasonable steps to stop third parties (e.g. affiliates) doing so, and must be able to terminate such contracts promptly.Source
Other requirements
Hosting arrangements and B2B licensed statusB2B Supplier
Hosts must ensure every GB player contracts with a UKGC-licensed B2C operator and agree complaint and information-sharing arrangements; software and host licensees must display licensed status, account number and UKGC link on B2B websites.Source
Recent regulatory changes
Newest first. Each entry links to the notice it came from.
Guidance
Financial Risk Assessments to be introduced in stages
The Commission will phase in credit-reference-based Financial Risk Assessments, starting with the largest operators at GBP 5,000 net deposits in 24 hours (GBP 2,500 for high-risk groups such as under-25s). Final thresholds will be GBP 1,000 in 24 hours or GBP 3,000 in 90 days (GBP 750/2,000 for under-25s); the stage one timetable is still to be confirmed.
Gambling Commission licence fees to rise from 1 October 2026
DCMS confirmed licence fees will rise by 25 percent overall with new fee categories for most licences, subject to secondary legislation. Changes take effect on 1 October 2026 and fee categories will be based on 2025 to 2026 regulatory return data.
Gross deposit limit rules deferred to 30 September 2026
The Commission extended the second phase of RTS 12 financial limit changes to 30 September 2026. From then operators must offer gross deposit limits over fixed time frames, reserve the name deposit limit for them and give them at least equal prominence.
Remote betting duty of 25% legislated for April 2027
Finance Act 2026 adds a 25% General Betting Duty rate on remote bets for accounting periods from 1 April 2027. Bets on UK horse racing, self-service betting terminal bets, spread bets and pool bets stay outside the new rate.
Budget 2025 announced an increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% and the abolition of Bingo Duty, both from 1 April 2026. The government dropped plans for a single remote betting and gaming duty.
Regulations attached a new condition to all remote casino licences capping online slot stakes per game cycle. The GBP 5 limit applied from 9 April 2025 and the GBP 2 limit for 18 to 24 year olds from 21 May 2025.
Published decisions against licensees — the clearest signal of what
the regulator actually polices.
Date
Licensee
Action
Amount
Reason
23 Jul 2026
Evolution Malta Holding Limited
Regulatory Settlement
GBP 4,750,000
Software and casino game host licensee whose games appeared on six unlicensed websites accessible in Great Britain; its money laundering risk assessment, controls and customer due diligence were found ineffective.Source
25 Jun 2026
Stakelogic BV
Regulatory Settlement
GBP 122,835
Gambling software business ran 16 slot games faster than the RTS 14D minimum of 2.5 seconds between spins, having relied on manual stopwatch testing.Source
Gambling software licence suspended pending a section 118 review over serious non-compliance with hosting requirements (hosting without a host licence); the suspension was lifted on 30 March 2026.Source
22 Oct 2025
Platinum Gaming Limited
Fine
GBP 10,000,000
Operator of unibet.co.uk and uk.bingo.com penalised for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures; also given a warning and required to undergo a third-party audit.Source
Operator of 134 websites fined for anti-money laundering failings (risk assessment, source of funds scrutiny) and social responsibility failings in customer interaction; also warned and required to undergo a third-party audit.Source
Suppliers licensed by the UKGC
Companies on Gamitas holding a licence from this regulator.
Do B2B game suppliers need a UK Gambling Commission licence?
Yes. Under the Gambling Act 2005 it is an offence to manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software in the course of business without an operating licence, so suppliers serving operators licensed for Great Britain need a remote gambling software licence. Suppliers that host their games for other operators' players also need a host licence, such as the remote casino game host licence.
Who needs a Gambling Commission licence to offer online gambling in Great Britain?
Any business offering remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain needs a Commission remote operating licence, regardless of where it is based, as does any business with remote gambling equipment in Great Britain. There is a separate remote licence for each gambling activity, such as casino, betting and bingo.
What is the Remote Gaming Duty rate in the UK?
Remote Gaming Duty is 40% of remote gaming profits for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2026, up from 21%. Remote betting is currently taxed through General Betting Duty at 15%, rising to 25% for remote bets from 1 April 2027, with UK horse racing bets staying at 15%.
What are the online slot stake limits in Great Britain?
Remote casino licensees must cap stakes on online slots at GBP 5 per game cycle for players aged 25 and over and GBP 2 for players aged 18 to 24. The GBP 5 limit applied from 9 April 2025 and the GBP 2 limit from 21 May 2025; the limits do not apply to other casino games such as roulette or blackjack.
What is the minimum age for online gambling in Great Britain?
The minimum age is 18: the Gambling Act 2005 makes it an offence to invite or permit anyone under 18 to gamble, with limited exceptions such as lotteries and football pools. Online operators must verify a customer's age before they can deposit, gamble or use free-to-play games.
Does a Gambling Commission licence cover Northern Ireland?
No. The Commission's remit under the Gambling Act 2005 covers England, Scotland and Wales; gambling in Northern Ireland (apart from the National Lottery) is devolved and regulated under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985. Remote operators with key equipment in Great Britain that offer or advertise gambling in Northern Ireland must still hold a Commission licence, but the Commission does not regulate that activity there.
Which self-exclusion scheme must UK online operators join?
Licensed online operators must participate in GAMSTOP, the national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, and update their lists of self-excluded customers every 24 hours.
Are there limits on bonus wagering requirements in Great Britain?
Yes. The LCCP prohibits wagering requirements above 10 times the bonus funds and bars incentives that combine more than one gambling product type, such as betting and casino, in a single offer.
Primary legislation and instruments
The statutes, regulations and technical standards this page is built from.
Amends sections 33 and 36 of the Gambling Act 2005 so that remote gambling facilities used in Great Britain require a Commission licence even when no remote gambling equipment is located in Great Britain.
Primary gambling statute for Great Britain: creates the Gambling Commission, makes it an offence to provide gambling facilities or supply gambling software without an operating licence, and sets the licensing, compliance and enforcement framework.
Gambling Commission conditions and codes attached to operating and personal licences, covering social responsibility, AML, marketing, customer funds, payments, technical standards and reporting.
Sets General Betting Duty (Part 3 Chapter 1) and Remote Gaming Duty (Part 3 Chapter 3) on a place-of-consumption basis, charged by reference to UK persons.
Compiled from official regulator and government sources, most recently on 26 Sept 2026. It is a starting point for commercial research, not legal advice — confirm the current position with the UKGC or local counsel before you act on it.
