Casino sector guidance
More generally, the Commission is known to issue cease and desist letters, carry out test purchasing, take steps to disrupt payment flows and engaging with search engines to prevent URLs belonging to unlicensed operators appearing in search results. For instance, the Commission has demonstrated a willingness to initially engage with those that operate (without a licence) offerings that have hints of licensable products before requesting that such entity either apply for and obtain a licence or prevent consumers in Great Britain from accessing such offering, whilst making clear that to continue doing so may amount to an offence under the Gambling Act 2005. Substantial fines have been imposed, individuals have been sanctioned pursuant to their “personal management licences” and licences have been suspended. The British regulatory authorities have taken something of a global lead in the enforcement of regulation, particularly in relation to “source of wealth” and “proceeds of crime” omissions and also failures in social responsibility obligations owed by operators to players. That said, non-gambling services are generally carved out of this wide net – payment processing, marketing affiliates and other ancillary services such as fraud prevention and age verification are per se not regarded as “gambling”.
Your licence
We propose to align the lifting of the prohibition on direct debit card payments on gaming machines and the introduction of player protections within regulations with the Gambling Commission’s review of the Gaming Machine Technical Standards. Under the current rules, there is a risk that operators entering the market might use in-fills and tablets to account for the totality of their Category C and D offer while offering Category B machines exclusively on more popular cabinet machines. By contrast, Option 2(a) would likely increase the numbers of Category B cabinets in a similar proportion to Option 1, while safeguarding against the possible scenario in which Category B machines become the only cabinet gaming machines offered. The concern raised was that any variation of Option 2 would be damaging to tablet gaming machine manufacturers as this would likely lead to vast numbers of these machines being removed by operators. These responses primarily came from small businesses who supplied tablet gaming machines to the market.
The liberalisation of gambling advertising was one of the major changes introduced by the Gambling Act 2005. The Premier League has announced that it will remove gambling sponsors from the fronts of players’ shirts, aimed at reducing children’s exposure to gambling brands in a way which might appeal to them, in line with new advertising rules. We expect all sports to take a responsible approach to gambling sponsorship and support the sector’s efforts to implement minimum standards for social responsibility through a cross-sport Code of Conduct. Replacing industry ownership, this will consider information at the point of purchase and messages within advertising, and identify what messaging works for different contexts and audiences. Numbers of customers on these schemes have already significantly declined following strengthened Commission protections in October 2020. The consultation also will consider measures such as a cap on re-wagering requirements and an appropriate minimum time frame for customers to claim bonuses.
- This is due to a combination of common life stage factors including continuing brain development impacting impulsivity control, changing support networks, and common financial circumstances such as managing money for the first time.
- “(1) This paragraph applies to larger converted casino premises.”, and
- These regulations apply in different circumstances, including when a payer initiates an electronic payment transaction.
- Cabinet device types are usually the most popular with customers.
These rates are lower than the majority of other gambling products, although remain above the at-risk and problem casinos not on gamestop gambling rates for ‘any gambling activity’. We would like to understand whether these types of protections are already available on these machines, or whether it would require investment in new machines or software. Therefore, this option would need to be accompanied by a requirement that Category B3 machines in these venues would have certain player safety controls, such as staff alerts where a player meets spend or time limits. For example, as previously highlighted, evidence provided by Bacta shows that the average stake placed on a Category B3 game is between £1.20 – £1.30, compared to 40p – 60p for a Category C machine.
This chapter of the consultation received 40 responses, primarily from licensing authorities and gambling operators. We received detailed evidence through the consultation process outlining the impacts which increased fees would have on both the ability of licensing authorities to undertake their duties, and the commercial pressures placed on operators. A central component of allowing the land-based gambling sector to develop sustainably is to ensure that it is well regulated and that customers are protected. Many of the measures proposed within this consultation are modernising measures which are intended to support the land-based gambling industry to thrive sustainably. While some of the other proposals put forward to ensure no under-18s play these types of machines were sensible, we do not think it is proportionate to mandate any of these measures due to the lower risk nature of this product.
In particular, such requests are unlikely to be valid if retention of the data is still necessary in relation to a lawful purpose. Licensees should already have assessed how long to retain data for, bearing in mind the legitimate purposes for which it was gathered and has been retained. GDPR does not substantially alter the principles behind the development of policies for data retention.
The regulator has indicated that it may be less inclined to “settle” regulatory enforcement actions, particularly where operators have been made the subject of prior regulatory enforcement action, leaning towards the imposition of sanctions and penalties or, in more serious cases, suspensions and revocations of licences. An “economic crime levy” is payable by entities that are regulated for anti-money laundering purposes (currently only casinos in the UK) and which generate more than £10.2 million in UK revenue. 15% of the commission charges charged by betting exchanges to users who are UK citizens Eligibility for a British gambling licence depends upon the Gambling Commission’s assessment of a variety of factors, primarily the integrity and probity of the applicant and the applicant’s ability to conduct gambling in a solvent and responsible manner in compliance with law and regulation.
The 2023 White Paper triggered the biggest round of gambling law changes since the Gambling Act 2005. These are the milestones that still shape gambling policy and oversight today. British gambling legislation has been rewritten several times since 1960, usually when technology outgrew the old rules.
Current UK Gambling Laws & Casino Legislation
For instance, since 28 February 2025, online gambling operators have been required to undertake a financial vulnerability check where a customer’s net spend exceeds £150 in a rolling 30-day period and, following the passing of secondary legislation, since May 2025 maximum stake limits per spin for online slot games are in place (£2 for those aged 18–24; £5 for those aged 25 and over). The main legislation governing gambling in the three forms identified in English law (gaming, betting and participating in a lottery) is the Gambling Act 2005. Free-to-play casino games with prizes are regulated as gaming and require a licence. Casino gaming (including slots and casino table games such as roulette & blackjack) The outcome of the Commission’s consultation on changes to financial key event reporting – which closed in March 2024 – is pending.Finally, in June 2025 the UK Government announced that it plans to introduce a “Voluntary Code” for prize draw operators whose offerings do not require a licence under the gambling framework because of the presence of a free entry route. Are there any specific licensing or operational requirements for operators accepting digital currencies (including cryptocurrencies)?
1 Licensees must have and put into effect procedures for self-exclusion and take all reasonable steps to refuse service or to otherwise prevent an individual who has entered a self-exclusion agreement from participating in gambling. 6Additionally, some licensees will be subject to specific statutory requirements to retain relevant data, under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 for example. However operators should be aware that the Gambling Commission cannot provide any definitive ruling on the interpretation of the GDPR, and the ICO will address any issues on a case by case basis.
The commitment made in 2020 by four major operators to direct increased contributions to the independent charity GambleAware, including a cumulative £100 million for treatment services, will continue to be delivered in full to provide funding certainty and support the delivery of planned programmes of work. When Parliamentary time allows, we will seek to further tackle illegal online operators by legislating to give the Commission powers to require for example internet service providers (ISPs) and payment providers to stop providing their services to black market websites. We are challenging the sports and esports sectors and the industry to set a high standard for social responsibility, with the potential not only to improve standards in gambling sponsorship but also to provide a model for responsible sponsorship by other sectors. We will engage with video games stakeholders such as industry bodies, tournament organisers, and publishers of popular esports games to develop and implement ground rules, for example potentially limiting gambling sponsorship in competitions that are accessible to under 18s. Options might include individual sports governing bodies’ rulebooks incorporating the Code’s provisions or through inclusion in the gambling industry’s IGRG Code.
Gambling Commission Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice already contain requirements in both the land-based and online sectors that information about the odds of winning is disclosed to players of certain games at the point of purchase. We recognise that expanding adtech targeting commitments to paid-for space may make it harder to reach some potential customers but paid-for online advertising will still be permitted alongside many other routes to attracting customers, such as broadcast or appropriately targeted social media advertising. For those who are struggling with harmful gambling, we want to make it as straightforward as possible to opt out of gambling content and advertising, and to close the gaps that mean that individuals who have self-excluded can still be targeted by gambling ads. Children’s advertising exposure and their ability to engage with operators’ content should decrease at the same time as the most recent reforms to the CAP code reduce the potential appeal of gambling content to children. We believe these proposals will result in an online advertising environment that is safer for children and vulnerable people, while still allowing operators to continue to engage with key audiences.
As much of the risk relates to online gambling, we propose that people aged 18 to 24 should have lower trigger points for the enhanced spending checks outlined in Section 1.2, and our consultation on online slot stakes will include options for extra protections for this group (Section 1.3). However, the evidence shows that people aged 18 to 24 years old are generally more vulnerable to gambling-related harms than the wider population. These usually entail a more sensitive calibration of player monitoring systems to detect harm, but some operators take more direct action, for example requiring customers aged 18 to 24 to set their own deposit limit before they are permitted to gamble or unilaterally implementing a mandatory maximum loss limit.
This entitlement will not be restricted by any space requirements or whether the casino has decided to increase its number of gaming machines under the new regime. Moreover, this measure would bring greater consistency to the different licensing regimes and bring greater parity between the online and land-based casinos. We do not currently have sufficient data to estimate the likely uptake of additional machines by casinos. Finally player protections are in place in casinos to mitigate increased risks of gambling harms. We can also analyse average loss and session length data to consider the possible risks of gambling harm for those customers who increase their gambling participation as a result of these measures.
The Gambling Act 2005 paved the way for larger resort style casinos to be built, albeit in a controlled manner with one being built every few years until the Act is fully implemented. The Gaming Act 1968 (c. 65) liberalised the law, paving the way for more commercial casinos. James opened several casino-cum-cabaret and fine dining establishments in the 1960s, including the Charlie Chester Casino and Golden Horseshoe in London and the Kingsway and Grand Casino in Southport.
While we know the majority of people who use these tools do not have a problematic relationship with gambling, we have heard repeated evidence of the enormous benefits they offer to those who rely on them as part of their toolkit for stopping gambling altogether. The Commission will consult on requiring operators to improve these tools, such as by making deposit limit setting mandatory for all customers on account creation and pre-populating the limit with a reasonable default. A recent study by the Behavioural Insights Team suggested this model may support greater and more meaningful usage of financial limit setting tools, but further research including in a ‘real world’ gambling environment is likely to be beneficial. Gambling operators in Australia must now provide such activity statements to customers on a monthly basis and there is guidance setting out how information should be presented. Academic evidence has shown that online gamblers can struggle to keep an accurate track of their spend, suggesting many could benefit from objective activity statements and previously set financial limits rather than purely internal budgeting during and between sessions.
Those who lead on these fronts will be best placed to grow sustainably — and defend their licence — in a sector under increasing scrutiny. Operators should keep a clear audit trail of all actions taken — as the ability to evidence compliance is just as important as achieving it. This elevates frontline teams into a key role within the broader safer gambling ecosystem, further emphasising the importance of accountability. The Gambling Journal covers the global iGaming industry through daily news, sharp analysis, and editorially independent company profiles.
Primary legislation
With regard to casinos that currently operate with a gambling area of 1500sqm or more, these casinos will be permitted to remain open with their current gambling area. When asked about the reduction in minimum table gaming area in Small 2005 Act casinos from 500sqm to 250sqm, more respondents were in favour of this being applied than opposed. A fairly even number of respondents were for and against the 12.5% rule applying for 1968 Act casinos, whereby any table gaming area would only count towards the minimum table gaming area if it constitutes 12.5% or more of the total table gaming area in the venue. Any 1968 Act casinos that wish to remain on the existing regime will be able to do so and are not required to adjust their product offering (unless they decide to take up the opportunity to offer facilities for betting). Feedback from engagement with operators has indicated that the sliding scale as proposed would benefit the majority of casinos, with over 80% of casinos estimated to benefit depending on how floor space is reconfigured.
Gaining access to gambling from 18 years of age also coincides with an important developmental and social period in many adolescents’ lives, typically characterised by new freedoms and responsibilities, such as starting university, getting a job, living independently, and/or managing money for the first time. There is data to show that 27% of gamblers aged between 16 and 25 report friends encouraging them to gamble more money/more often. Further, some call for evidence respondents cited neurological research showing cognitive development continuing up to the age of 25 and argued that protective measures should reflect the fact that young adults may still be developing capacity to regulate impulses and make more rational decisions. However, there is growing evidence that younger adults may benefit from greater protection than other groups.
Policies, procedures and controls will also need to be updated to address the risks identified in the risk assessment and to reflect the mitigations in place. Relevant risks may include (but are not limited to) cross-channel customer activity, payment methods and open loop payment processes. More information on the operating licences required is available in our guidance on the legislative changes. Casino operators are reminded that those wishing to utilise the new extended entitlements will need to inform the Commission under Licence Conditions and Code of Practice (LCCP) Ordinary Code Provision 8.1.1 (Information requirements). Real gamblers run Casinos.org.uk,and we have over 20 years of experience in real money gambling.
In conclusion, the evolution of casino regulations in the UK reflects the changing dynamics of society, technology, and the economy. Through diligent enforcement of regulations, the government aimed to safeguard the interests of both players and the broader community, setting a precedent for responsible gambling practices. Moreover, the enactment of measures to prevent crime and uphold the fairness of games contributed to enhancing the reputation and credibility of the UK gambling sector. This tension has led to ongoing debates and revisions in regulatory frameworks, with policies evolving to address issues such as problem gambling, money laundering, and underage access to gambling establishments. We publish registers of licensed businesses, individuals, regulatory actions and premises. If you or someone you know struggles with gambling addiction, we recommend you contact the free gambling helplines like those operated by organizations like
The main piece of legislation that regulates both land-based and online casinos in the UK is the Gambling Act, passed in 2005 by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In the following sections, we will examine the legislation concerning casinos in the United Kingdom, an industry that now generates more than £3.2 billion in gross gaming yield. 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. The IA should, however, provide a more robust, balanced assessment of societal costs because of the risk of increased gambling harm, as well as providing more narrative on international evidence. Costs to business include for familiarisation, and purchasing and implementing additional gaming machines. The package is intended to modernise the rules that apply to casinos and to help the sector to grow, while ensuring that appropriate safeguards against gambling-related harm are in place.
Several operators claim they are holding on to players longer because clearer rules and a safer environment build trust. Public-health groups mostly cheer the rules, but many operators say the new tech adds cost and shakes up tried-and-true business models. Larger operators are now pooling resources in head office compliance units and leaning on automated identity checks to keep up with the rising paperwork.
We will not accept licensees simply stating that GDPR means that they are unable to comply with an aspect of gambling regulation, or otherwise take certain steps to protect the public interest. Thorough consideration of transparency requirements will also assist data subjects, and assist data controllers to demonstrate compliance with obligations relating to accountability. We do not anticipate that the need for such measures will cause a significant barrier to complying with gambling regulation.
If gambling is causing you concern, visit our responsible gambling UK guide for support resources. If a casino breaches the rules and you are affected, complain to the casino first. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the sole statutory body responsible for enforcing all UK casino regulations 2026. The table below shows the most significant rule changes introduced by the our tested operators compared to the previous framework. For the best current offers, visit our best casino bonuses UK page, or check no deposit bonus UK deals that comply with the new rules.
In addition to the licence conditions and legislation governing how facilities to gamble are offered, all gambling advertising must comply with the UK Advertising Codes which are set by the Committees of Advertising Practice and enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The change created a ‘point of consumption’ regulatory regime, meaning that any gambling company transacting with British consumers has to have a licence from the Gambling Commission and comply with the licence conditions. Further detail on our initial estimates of the likely or possible impacts of the package, including on sectors related to gambling such as horse racing, is at Annex A.