UK Gambling Commission  

Online gambling in the United Kingdom is regulated by the UKGC. Every provider offering casino or other games of chance must have a valid license from them. If they don't, they are illegal to offer casino games to UK players.

The UKGC ↱ is one of the strictest casino and gambling regulators in the world. They put a strong emphasis on player protection. This includes:

  • Transparency for bonus offers and attached terms
  • Self exclusion programs
  • Recognising compulsive or problematic gambling
  • Other measures aimed to safeguard players.

Read on to learn more about the UKGC, and what they do for the players.

Top casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission in 2024

This table provides an overview of online casinos with a UK Gambling Commission license. You can find a review for each operator, and take a look at what the casino has to offer. Our reviews cover for example payments, fees, games, bonuses and terms.

♠ Withdrawals are processed fast
♠ Many weekly promotions
♠ Outstanding game selection
♠ Games on Desktop: 2500 | Mobile: 2000 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Slots, Jackpot Games, Live Casino, Sportsbook
(T&Cs apply)100% up to $/€100 + 200 Extra spins casino bonus (Varies for different countries) or 2x €10 Free Sports Bets + 100 Extra spins casino bonus or 100% up to $/€100 live casino bonus ▼ More Details ▼
18+. New players only. Valid on 1st deposit. Only one Welcome bonus from either Casino, Sports or LIVE Casino can be claimed on deposit AND wager. Deposit bonuses differ per offer and are a 100% match bonus up to €100. Minimum deposit matched: €20. Free Spin winnings are bonus money. Deposit and bonus money subject to wagering requirements. Bonus validity differs per offer. Play responsibly. gamblingtherapy.org. Full T&Cs apply.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ interesting bonuses and promotions
♠ established and trusted operator
♠ Games on Desktop: 3500 | Mobile: 3300 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Sportsbook, Bingo Rooms
(T&Cs apply)Up to €400 for 4 deposits. ▼ More Details ▼
Deposit amount: €10 - €24: €10 reward
Deposit amount: €25- €49: €25 reward
Deposit amount: €50 - €99: €50 reward
Deposit amount: €100+: €100 reward
Wagering the deposit amount 20x credits the bonus to the real-money balance.
18+. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. LeoSafePlay.com
18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ many promotions for casino and sportsbook
♠ Telephone support is available
♠ large game selection
♠ Games on Desktop: 2500 | Mobile: 2300 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Slots, jackpot slots, live Casino, sports betting, table games
(T&Cs apply)Up to €/$400 over 2 deposits▼ More Details ▼
1st deposit: 100% up to €/$200
2nd deposit: 50% up to €/$200
18+. Opt-in required for welcome and reload bonus respectively, before making the deposits. Bonus valid 30 days. Wagering 1st bonus 25x deposit+bonus; 2nd bonus 30x deposit+bonus on eligible slots. Max bet €5. T&Cs apply.
18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ easy access and fully responsive website
♠ payments are processed fast and reliable
♠ many interesting games
♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1800 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino
(T&Cs apply)100% bonus up to £/$/€ 123 ▼ More Details ▼
*New Players only, 18+, Min. deposit: €/$10, Wagering 50x Bonus, Max bet with Bonus €/$5, Skrill/Neteller excluded, no max cash out on deposit offers, T&Cs apply18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ 10% Cashback on all lost deposits
♠ 24/7 Customer Support
♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1500 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Slots, table games, Slingo
(T&Cs apply)no welcome bonus available, 10% Cashback instead ▼ More Details ▼
*18+, all players, 10% lifetime cashback on losses within a day when balance drops to zero or below £10, Cashback is credited the following day and can be cashed out or played, cashback is valid for 10 days, T&Cs apply18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ 24/7 Support
♠ Weekly Reel Races and other promotions
♠ Mobile casino app
♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1500 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Slots, Jackpots, Table Games, Slingo, Megaways, Video Poker
(T&Cs apply)100% bonus up to $300 and 20 free spins (Bonus varies for different countries) ▼ More Details ▼
Welcome Offer contains 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead and 100% bonus up to $300. Bonus wagering 30x. Play responsibly | rgf.org.mt 18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ mobile optimised casino
♠ fair bonus wagering requirements and terms
♠ Games on Desktop: 1000 | Mobile: 900 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Sportsbook, virtual sports
(T&Cs apply)Up to €/$200 + 100 free spins over three deposits ▼ More Details ▼
1. Deposit: 50% up to €/$50 + 25 free spins
2. Deposit: 25% up to €/$50 + 25 free spins
3. Deposit: 25% up to €/$100 + 50 free spins
18+, Bonus for new players. Min deposit €/$20, Max Bonus €/$200, Bonus wagering 35x, offer valid for 72 h, free spins have to be played within 24h, Free spin winnings wagering: 35x
18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ 24/7 customer support
♠ payments are processed in a timely manner
♠ Games on Desktop: 3200 | Mobile: 2800 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Jackpots, Video Poker, Table Games
(T&Cs apply)100% up to 100 Mega Spins ▼ More Details ▼
First Deposit Only. Game: Spina Colada, Spin Value: €1, Max Mega Spins: 100. WR 60x free spin winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min €0.10) of the free spin winnings amount or €5 (lowest amount applies). Spins must be used and/or Bonus must be claimed before using deposited funds. Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. *Games are subject to availability. Bonus Policy applies.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ 24/7 customer support
♠ Withdrawals are processed fast
♠ Games on Desktop: 1200 | Mobile: 1200 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Casino, Live Casino, Jackpots, Table games
(T&Cs apply)100% up to $100 + 25 free spins (Bonus Code SPIN100)18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.
♠ great game selection
♠ payments are processed very fast
♠ fair bonus wagering
♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1800 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓
♠ Slots, Live Casino, Table Games, Slingo, Jackpots
(T&Cs apply)100% up to €/£10018+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply.

*Bonus T&Cs apply! Accuracy not guaranteed, terms can change any time.

About the UKGC

The UK Gambling Commission is the regulatory body for gambling in the United Kingdom, which was initially set up under the Gambling Act of 2005. The authority regulates all commercial gambling activities, including the National Lottery. Since 2014, all operators that provide gambling services to UK players must acquire a license from the regulator.

The objectives of the gambling commission are to:

  • Prevent crime, including fraud or money-laundering
  • Fair and transparent gaming
  • Protection of children and other vulnerable people

How to find the best UKGC casino

To help you make an informed decision on where to play casino games in the UK, we've compiled this short guide. You can find some pointers on what to look out for when selecting a UK casino online.

Step 11. Take a look at recommended online casinos at CasinoDaemon.com. We only recommend the best casinos to our readers. All of those are licensed by the UKGC.

Step 22. Verify that the license of the casino is still valid. Although we check the licenses periodically, it's best that you check it as well before signing up. A licensed casino has to display the UKGC logo on their website (often in the footer), and it leads to the license when clicked.

Step 33. Compare the bonus offers of the casinos. As a UK player you are usually offered a casino bonus. Comparing the bonus terms is recommended in order to find the best bonus.

Step 44. Take a look at the payment options. Casinos don't all accept the same payment types, so if you have a particular payment option in mind make sure that they accept it. We also recommend looking at the payment terms.

Step 5 5. Try out the website and navigate around. This is important when using a mobile device. Make sure the page works well on your device before depositing.

Advantages and disadvantages of UKGC-licensed casinos

  • Operators aren't allowed to apply withdrawal limits
  • Strong player protection with responsible gambling measures
  • Operators heavily scrutinised for conduct
  • Transparent bonus and payment terms
  • Detailed KYC-documentation may be required
  • Regulator only covers players from the United Kingdom
  • Due to overregulation, many operators have left the market, leaving smaller choice of casinos

Bonus advertising guidelines of the UK Gambling Commission

The regulations for gambling advertising for UK-licensed casinos include that significant terms of the bonus must be mentioned. These include among others:

  • The minimum required deposit
  • Maximum bonus amount
  • Wagering requirements
  • Maximum bets
  • How long the bonus is valid for

The full bonus terms and conditions must be placed just one click away from the bonus offer. This increases transparency to the players who wish to take advantage of online casino bonuses.

Responsible gambling at UK casinos online

The UKGC's regulations include a gambling exclusion registry Gamstop ↱. Players can exclude themselves from gambling at all UK-licensed casinos.

Operators also have to offer different measures to control or limit gambling, including:

  • Deposit limits
  • Loss limits
  • Wager limits
  • Playing-time limits
  • Reality checks

UKGC casinos license status check

The Public Register of the UKGC ↱ allows you to check the licenses of every registered license holder at the UK Gambling Commission. The licensees are regularly audited, and compliance checks are carried out.

Operators, who don't adhere to the regulations will be investigated by the authority. They run the risk of getting a hefty fine if they are found to be in breach. In many cases, however, the regulator will make the licensee aware of non-compliant behaviour.

This is revised by the operator without the Gambling Commission having to take formal action against the operator. However, this depends on the severity of the issue, and a case-by-case basis.

The regulator has fined a number of operators in the past. Reasons were mostly a breach of advertising guidelines or failure to prevent and report suspicious transactions, or potential problem gambling.

Filing a complaint with the casino

Although we don't hope that things will go wrong with a casino, there is always a small chance that the operator is not behaving fairly to the players.

This issue usually concerns withheld withdrawals from the casino. If you feel that the casino should pay out your winnings, and instead they give you an excuse to not pay you, you can follow the process to resolve the complaint.

The UKGC has a complaints procedure ↱ in place.
1. You need to try to resolve it with the casino operator first.
2. In case you can't resolve the issue with the casino you can contact an alternative dispute resolution service.

In many cases withdrawals are withheld because players are trying to withdraw bonus money. If you have received bonus money from the casino, make sure that you read the terms and conditions carefully. Bonus money is always attached to restrictive conditions.

You need to provide documentation to support your claim against the casino, such as for example:

  • Correspondence you've had with the casino about the issue
  • Game history
  • Payment confirmations

With this in mind, remember that the UK Gambling Commission won't act as an intermediary for you to get your money back from the casino. The UKGC doesn't deal with consumer complaints.

However, cases will be reviewed by ADR service to see if the casino has acted according to their obligations towards the players. If the casino is found to display suspicious behaviour they will be investigated and acted upon by the regulator. This can include for example refusing to pay out winnings or unsolicited advertising.

News articles relating to the UK Gambling Commission

The UK Gambling Commission publishes articles ↱ about consultations, statistics or regulatory actions. Every now and then, we will also write about them, when we have something that we think is relevant to online casino players.

UK Gambling Commission FAQ

The UK Gambling Commission is regarded as one of the strictest remote gambling regulators. They put an emphasis on fair games, responsible gambling and regulated advertising for casino games.

A casino operator licensed by the UKGC has to follow these regulations or else face suspension of their license, sanctions or hefty fines.

UK casinos also have to offer responsible gambling limits and self-exclusion options. They are also connected to the national exclusion list Gamstop.

What the UKGC also ensures, is that games offered are certified fair. The software providers have to have their RNGs checked and certified by an independent testing company, like for example bmm testlabs ↱ or eCogra ↱. You can see the RTP rate of each game in the info tab.

Overall, playing at a UK casino is safe and you can expect fair games with a real chance for a win.

The UKGC doesn't deal with consumer complaints. However, they have a complaints proceudire in place. This states that you have to contact the operator first. If this doesn't help you can contact a dispute resolution service.

You can file a complaint the ADR and send them your supporting evidence like emails or chats with the customer support, as well as other evidence.

In any case, before filing a complaint you need to try to resolve the issue with the casino in question.

Every casino that is licensed by the UKGC has to display the regulator's seal on their website in the footer. They also have to show the license number and company information. You can perform a live check of the license status on the website, and you can also find these links in our casino reviews.

You can then find information about the license holder, including

  • The validity of the license
  • Other domain names covered by the license
  • Company information
  • Previous sanctions or problems investigated

Playing money games on the Internet is subject to legal and age restrictions for online gambling in your country of residence. Legal minimum age for gambling activities is 18 years in most jurisdictions. If you are under the legal age, or if online gambling is prohibited in your jurusdiction, please close this website.

CasinoDaemon is an affiliate website, and we receive a monetary commission for player referrals. We do our best keep information on here updated, and we only recommend licensed operators, that we test thoroughly. However, we cannot guarantee accuracy of all provided information.