Measures relating to the land-based gambling sector
He specialises in gambling regulation and intellectual property law. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. It also covers licence conditions, variation and termination of each licence together with reforms introduced by the Commission. Search by name, licence or account number Our experts will be happy to help you navigate the complexities of obtaining a UK gambling license, determine which licenses you need, and avoid unnecessary costs.
New paragraph 3 of Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the 2007 Regulations attaches additional mandatory conditions to converted casino premises licences that apply only if the holder decides to exercise the extended entitlement. Paragraph (3) of regulation 4 of these Regulations amends the mandatory conditions attaching to converted casino premises licences in Part 5 of Schedule 1 to the 2007 Regulations. By paragraph (2) of regulation 4, the minimum size of the table gaming area in small casinos licensed under the Act is reduced from 500m² to 250m².
If a casino does not appear on the Gambling Commission public register under the domain you used, the plain meaning is that it is not licensed to offer gambling to people in Great Britain. If the casino is licensed in Great Britain, the brand and its domain will appear against a licensed company, with a licence status shown. The Gambling Commission keeps a public register of every licensed gambling business at gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register. Conditions may, in particular, limit the number of machines that may be provided in a casino and the number of player positions that may be provided for use of the machines. Such equipment, which neither involves nor is linked to a game requiring human operation, is not a gaming machine provided it is used in accordance with Commission licence conditions set under this subsection (section 235(2)(i)). 450.In relation to casino entitlements, the Secretary of State can make regulations defining “gaming table”, and, in particular may specify when a gaming table is to be treated as being used in a casino.
This will ensure that gaming products, such as single-player games in which the player presses a switch or button, or pulls a plunger or lever, to release a ball or set of balls cannot count towards the machine to table ratio. We will amend these regulations so that gaming tables where staff are not present and the player operates or controls the gaming apparatus are also excluded for these purposes. Therefore both wholly automated gaming tables and table games of equal chance do not attract any gaming machine allowance for the purposes of meeting the machine to table ratio. Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that real equal chance gaming tables (e.g. poker) are not considered as gaming tables for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Act. In updating this ratio, we intend to amend the definition of “gaming table” for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Gambling Act 2005 so that only tables where the apparatus is controlled or operated by casino staff count for the purposes of the ratio.
Therefore, we would welcome any responses which highlight concerns about this approach and how non-gambling areas could be calculated using a different method. However, we want to avoid any regulation that would allow table gaming areas to be placed in obscure or less accessible areas for customers so that a genuinely mixed offering of products remains in the casino. We appreciate that for commercial reasons and for a better customer experience, tables are already grouped together in casinos, often in one large area.
What type of documents can I be asked to provide?
This would result in an overall decrease of over 900 cabinet machines across these venues, predominantly consisting of legacy Category C cabinets. Also, Category C and D gaming machine device types made available for use must be of similar size and scale to Category B. Significant increases in Category B machines may increase the amount of money staked by customers, and/or the risk of harm. While the intensiveness of energy expenditure will vary by machine device type and energy efficiency, the costs to industry of maintaining these machines can be significant.
Some parts of the regulatory framework for casinos are reserved while other aspects are devolved. These types of products do not provide any of the benefits of a casino gaming table in contributing to a balanced mix of products or affording opportunities for social interaction. These Regulations make amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 (opens in new tab) (the 2009 Regulations) to alter what constitutes a “gaming table” in a casino for the purposes of section 172(3) to (5) of the Gambling Act 2005. 1 This condition only applies to converted casinos that choose to exercise the extended entitlement.
The data used in this section reflects activity from April to September 2019 and relates to a single session on a particular machine. These rates are lower than the majority of other gambling products, although remain above the at-risk and problem gambling rates for ‘any gambling activity’. These represent transition costs which are expected to be incurred in the first few years of implementation, with exact timescales depending on the option taken forward. 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. Under such circumstances, and given the relatively higher stakes and losses set out in the rationale for change, there is the potential for gambling-related harm to increase.
Under the increased gaming machine allowances that we propose, if a venue held multiple premises licences, it could theoretically gain access to 80 gaming machines per licence. In order to be entitled to an allowance of 80 gaming machines, 1968 Act casinos will need to comply with the same minimum requirements as a Small 2005 Act casino on gambling, table gaming and non-gambling area. A further 25 casinos have multiple licences within one premises, allowing them to supply 40 or 60 machines. Only 4 of the 8 Small casino licences have been developed, one has since closed, and none offer the maximum allowance of 80 gaming machines as it would be impractical to site the necessary tables. Depending on the type of casino licence an operator holds, they are able to site a different number of gaming machines, and may be bound by other restrictions including a maximum machine-to-table ratio and limitations on their size and non-gambling area. In cases where providers perform several types of gambling activities (e.g., casinos + gaming machines), they need to apply for separate licenses.
Gaming machines in arcades and bingo halls
For non-remote betting facilities, this would be a non-remote general betting (standard) operating licence. The effect of the amendments made by Regulation 2 (of the 2025 Regulations) is to make it clear that only gaming tables controlled or operated by casino staff can qualify as a gaming table for the purposes of calculating gaming machine allowances. These Regulations extend to England, Wales and Scotland and apply to all gaming tables in casinos from 22 July 2025.
- Ancillary licenses apply to operators that provide telephone and email betting.
- Some respondents from outside of industry stated that safer gambling messages should be designed independently of industry and that some of the existing industry-led safer gambling messages are ineffective.
- Of those who didn’t answer ‘I don’t know’, 80% of respondents favoured operating and premises licence fees being the same for Small 2005 Act casinos and 1968 Act casinos that elect to increase their gaming machine entitlement.
- The proposed thresholds differ from the current industry standard in casinos where it is £250 deposited and 60 minutes of play.
Does the UKGC set withdrawal process times?
413.The general position for premises licensing is that premises may only be subject to one premises licence at a time. 410.Under Part 1 of the Act, the Secretary of State will make regulations defining classes of casinos. A provisional statement may be obtained from a licensing authority, in advance of a premises licence, where premises are to be constructed or altered, or where someone has yet to acquire the right to occupy premises. 405.Premises licences, unlike operating licences, are transferable between occupiers (who hold operating licences), on application to the licensing authority. 404.Applicants for premises licences are required to hold a relevant operating licence before being granted a premises licence under this Part, except in the case of tracks, where an operating licence need not be held in all cases.
CAP Code Section 16 specifically addresses gambling advertising, including promotional terms. Online casino promotions, including welcome bonuses and free spins, are subject to ASA/CAP code requirements on clarity and non-misleadingness. Several of the highest-value UKGC fines in recent years arose from casino-specific failures around customer interaction obligations and anti-money laundering processes. Enforcement actions in this category tend to be costly.
The government will consider the need for bespoke dedicated safe play messaging as part of cashless gambling on gaming machines. As mentioned above, the existing regulations prohibit the use of debit cards for direct payments to gaming machines, and prohibit any use of credit cards. The introduction of direct forms of cashless payments on gaming machines, subject to suitable safeguards, therefore represents an opportunity to future-proof the land-based gambling industry. The lack of direct cashless payment methods on gaming machines contrasts with the cashless options that consumers have within the wider retail economy.
Licensed operators must keep player funds separate from operating money and disclose the level of protection, so your balance is safeguarded. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the independent regulator for gambling in Great Britain, set up under the Gambling Act 2005. This guide explains exactly what a UKGC licence means, how to verify one in under a minute, and how to spot a site that doesn’t have one.
The higher end takes into consideration that some local authorities may need additional funding to carry out the full extent of administration of their gambling duties and gambling enforcement, such as the development of policy statements. We do not currently have sufficient evidence to inform an appropriate percentage increase to the current cap on licensing fees. Any fee increase must be linked to the cost to that particular local authority of carrying out its gambling functions. We recognise that the maximum for licensing authority fees has not been updated since 2007, during which time inflation has inevitably reduced its value. Some have expressed a desire to do more to apply local considerations in their areas when making licensing decisions. For example, existing powers, such as local policy statements, allow licensing authorities to account for factors such as public health and crime.
For operators seeking to access the UK market, the UKGC licence is a prerequisite. The Gambling License Register also tracks UKGC-licensed operators and provides direct casino not on gamstop links to the Commission’s public register entries where available. The Gambling Commission maintains a public register of all current operating licences and personal licences. The levy is calculated at a rate ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% of gross gambling yield (depending on the licensed product), based on the amount reported in the operator’s regulatory returns for the previous 12-month period. The Commission’s preferred option would see an average 30% increase in annual operating licence fees.
However online casinos do have to operate fairly and adhere to a very strict code of conduct and should pay out withdrawals without long waiting times. This isn’t a legal requirement of the UKGC licence and the gambling laws in the UK don’t set a specific time frame for a casino to pay out winnings. One of the UKGC’s main objectives is to protect and help vulnerable casino players and the organisation sets out very strict guidelines for casinos in the UK to adhere to, which include gaming limits, time out periods and self exclusions for players. If you play at a casino with a UKGC licence then you can expect to have verification checks carried out using your basic details when you first open your account, the UKGC implemented these checks to help prevent underage gambling. Below, we have compiled a list of the best UKGC-licensed casinos for 2026 that are in our portfolio.
Casinos that have failed to comply face licence suspension or revocation — another reason why it is always worth checking how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed before you play. Key changes include a £5 maximum stake limit on online slots, mandatory casino affordability checks UK operators must conduct at defined loss thresholds, a ban on autoplay features, and a 10x cap on bonus wagering requirements. The only reliable way to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed is to look up the operator’s licence number on the official UKGC register. Some rogue casinos display a UKGC-style logo without holding a genuine licence. Unlicensed casinos may withhold winnings or refuse withdrawals, leaving you with no legal recourse whatsoever. Knowing how to check if a UK casino is UKGC licensed is the single most important step before you deposit at any online casino.
In line with our approach to voluntary limit setting, we do not propose that Category D machines will be required to have mandatory limits for time and monetary thresholds. We would also like machines that use the BGC’s Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) to implement these limits and for APAS not to act as a substitute for these thresholds. Furthermore, the average stake size on B1 machines is similar to the stake size on B3 machines and therefore we do not think that the mandatory limits should be different between the different categories. While we understand the different environments and the higher stakes and prizes available to customers on B1 machines, data received from industry shows that these limits should not impact the majority of players. The proposed thresholds differ from the current industry standard in casinos where it is £250 deposited and 60 minutes of play. We think that the starting point for these thresholds should be deposits of £150 and 20 minutes of play across all machines but understand that further evidence may arise during its consultation.
A gambling business may ask you for a selfie if they think there may be fraudulent activity on your account. A customer cannot place a bet until they have been verified, so gambling businesses will verify customers as quickly as possible so that they can start gambling. If a gambling business can verify you electronically the process may be instant. We don’t say which types of information gambling businesses should ask for.
This work could then feed into the messaging that is displayed on machines. The vast majority of responses stated that specific safer gambling messaging should be considered within cashless gambling. We do not propose that staff alerts are required for Category D machines that accept direct debit card payments. However, we think that this is an important tool that staff could use to monitor players and therefore, it should be a feature on Category B and C machines accepting cashless payments.
