What is the UKGC?
The UK Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005. It is responsible for issuing and supervising gambling licences, enforcing compliance, and protecting consumers. It is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
How licensing works
Operators must apply for operating and personal management licences. Licences are product-specific (casino, sports betting, bingo, etc.). They are not permanent and must be renewed, with operators subject to ongoing compliance supervision.
Consumer protections
UKGC-licensed operators must: display responsible gambling information, integrate with GamStop, offer deposit and loss limits, verify age and identity, provide clear terms, participate in dispute resolution, and report suspicious activity. Violations can result in fines or licence revocation.
Why unlicensed sites are risky
Operators without a UKGC licence are not subject to UK consumer protections. Players have no regulatory recourse for disputes, and such sites may not implement required safeguards like GamStop integration or age verification.
Verifying a licence
Verify any operator at gamblingcommission.gov.uk using the public register. Always check before registering. UKGC-licensed sites typically display the UKGC logo in their footer.
This guide is for informational purposes only. For official information, visit gamblingcommission.gov.uk.