How to check a UKGC licence

How to check a licence

1. Scroll to the casino's website footer and find the operator name and licence (account) number.
2. Go to the UK Gambling Commission public register.
3. Search for the account number or operator name.
4. Check the licence is active and the website domain is listed.

Licences for the casinos we list

Why it matters

A UK licence means the casino must follow UK rules on fairness, player funds, advertising, safer gambling and complaints, and must be part of GAMSTOP. Unlicensed sites offer none of these protections.

Warning signs of an unlicensed casino

• No UK licence number in the footer.
• Advertised as "not on GAMSTOP".
• Huge no deposit bonuses with vague terms.
• Accepts credit cards or crypto from UK players.

Licences and complaints

If you have a dispute with a UK-licensed casino, first use its complaints process. If it is not resolved, you can take it to the casino's approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider. Unlicensed sites offer no such route.

Check the website domain too

The register also lists the domains an operator is licensed to use. Make sure the site you are on appears – copycat sites sometimes imitate real brands.

What a UK licence requires

• Player funds protection disclosed to customers.
• Age and identity verification.
• Independently tested games.
• Safer gambling tools, GAMSTOP and staff interaction with at-risk players.
• Fair, clear bonus terms – including the 10x wagering cap.
• Advertising that is not aimed at under-18s.

Worked example: checking Coral

1. Coral's footer names LC International Limited and account number 54743.
2. Searching 54743 on the public register shows LC International Limited with an active casino licence.
3. The register's domain list includes coral.co.uk.

That confirms the site you are on is covered by the licence. Try the same steps for any casino before you deposit.

A note on Northern Ireland

The UK Gambling Commission licenses gambling in Great Britain. Some offers – such as PlayOJO's welcome spins – exclude Northern Ireland, so check eligibility in each offer's terms.

Other trust checks

• Safer gambling tools – look for deposit limits and time-outs in the account menu.
• Clear terms – significant bonus terms should be shown next to every offer.
• Contact details – a licensed casino should list its operator and how to complain.
• Independent testing – many casinos display testing lab seals for their games.

Our casino reviews run through all of these for every casino we list.

What if a site isn't licensed?

Don't deposit. Unlicensed sites can refuse to pay out, ignore self-exclusion and offer no route to complain. If you have been targeted by an unlicensed operator, you can report it to the UK Gambling Commission. If gambling is becoming a problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

Frequently asked questions