Legal Casinos United Kingdom

UKGC Public Register

UKGC Licence Checker

Search the Gambling Commission's public register. Enter a casino name, brand name, or licence number to verify current status.

Data: UKGC Public Register, June 2026. Verify live status at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

How to Read a UKGC Licence Number

A UKGC remote operating licence number follows the pattern: XXXXX-R-XXXXXX-XXX

Licence Status Guide

Active

The operator holds a valid, current licence and is authorised to accept GB customers.

Suspended

The licence is temporarily suspended pending investigation. The operator cannot legally accept new bets.

Revoked

The licence has been permanently removed. The operator is no longer authorised to offer gambling to GB customers.

Surrendered

The operator voluntarily returned its licence — typically on exiting the GB market. No longer authorised.

Why Licence Verification Matters

Operating an online casino in Great Britain without a valid UKGC licence is a criminal offence under the Gambling Act 2005. Consumer protection in the UK's regulated market depends entirely on operators holding and maintaining valid UKGC licences — an unlicensed operator is not subject to UKGC oversight, and customers have no regulatory recourse.

Licensed operators must meet strict requirements: protecting customer funds (ring-fenced from operational funds), participating in GamStop self-exclusion, offering responsible gambling tools, submitting to UKGC audits, and maintaining dispute resolution processes. These protections simply do not exist with unlicensed operators, regardless of their claimed licensing jurisdiction.

Overseas licences from jurisdictions such as Malta (MGA), Gibraltar, Curacao, or the Isle of Man do not grant permission to serve Great Britain customers — even if the operator claims otherwise. Only a valid UKGC operating licence is relevant for GB consumers. Verify before you deposit.

What UKGC-Licensed Operators Are Required to Display

Under UKGC Licence Condition 7.1.1, all licensed remote gambling operators must display their account number and licence number prominently on their website — typically in the footer, alongside the Gambling Commission's white and yellow logo. This requirement is legally mandatory, not a voluntary badge. An operator that omits its UKGC account number from its site is either operating without a licence or in breach of its licence conditions — both are grounds for regulatory action.

The UKGC logo's format varies by operator, but the account number must always accompany it. Many operators link the logo directly to their licence entry in the official Gambling Commission public register, allowing customers to verify status without leaving the operator's site. Where no such link is present, you can verify manually using the account number shown — either via this checker or via gamblingcommission.gov.uk directly.

Licensed operators must also display links to responsible gambling organisations (GamCare, BeGambleAware) and make the GamStop self-exclusion service accessible to all registered customers. The absence of these elements from a site claiming UKGC authorisation is a significant warning sign that should prompt verification before any deposit is made.

If you are checking a land-based casino rather than an online operator, note that physical venues hold non-remote licences (using 'NR' rather than 'R' in the licence number) and also require a premises licence from the relevant local authority. This checker covers remote (online) operators. The full UKGC register — covering both remote and non-remote licence types — is available at gamblingcommission.gov.uk for comprehensive lookups.

About this checker

This tool queries a snapshot of the UKGC public register compiled at build time. It is provided for reference only. For authoritative, real-time licence verification, use the official Gambling Commission register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Licence Verification — Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to verify a casino licence?
You need either the operator's trading name (e.g. 'bet365', 'William Hill'), their account number, or their licence number. UKGC-licensed operators are required to display their account number and licence details — usually in the footer of their website. The account number identifies the licence holder entity; the licence number identifies the specific regulated activity. Either can be used to search this checker or the official UKGC register.
What does a UKGC licence number look like?
A UKGC remote operating licence number follows the format XXXXX-R-XXXXXX-XXX. The first segment is the account number; 'R' indicates a remote (online) licence as opposed to a non-remote (land-based) licence; the middle segment is the licence reference number; and the final three digits indicate the licence type (001 = remote casino; 019 = remote general betting). Non-remote licence numbers use 'NR' instead of 'R'.
Why might an operator not appear in this checker?
This checker queries data from a snapshot of the UKGC public register compiled at build time. Operators may not appear if: (1) the snapshot predates their licence being issued; (2) the operator holds only land-based (non-remote) licences; (3) the operator is a B2B software supplier (not a consumer-facing brand); or (4) the operator has since had their licence revoked or surrendered. For real-time verification, always consult the official Gambling Commission register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
What should I do if a casino is not on the UKGC register?
If an operator you are using or considering cannot be found on the UKGC public register, do not deposit funds. Serving GB customers without a UKGC operating licence is a criminal offence under the Gambling Act 2005. Unlicensed operators offer no consumer protections — your funds are not safeguarded, disputes cannot be raised with the UKGC, and you have no recourse through the UKGC's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. You can report suspected unlicensed operators directly to the Gambling Commission.
Can an operator have multiple UKGC licences?
Yes. Large gambling groups typically hold multiple operating licences covering different product verticals. An operator may hold a remote casino licence, a remote general betting licence, and a remote bingo licence simultaneously — each with its own licence number, all under the same account number. When checking an operator, search by account number to see all licences held by that entity. Some groups (such as Entain, Flutter, and 888) operate dozens of distinct brands under the same licence holder entity.
What is the difference between a suspended and a revoked licence?
A suspension is a temporary measure imposed by the UKGC — typically while an investigation is ongoing. A suspended operator cannot legally accept new bets or deposits from GB customers during the suspension period. Revocation is permanent — the UKGC has determined the operator is no longer fit to hold a licence and has removed it entirely. A surrender is different again: the operator has voluntarily applied to hand back its licence, typically when exiting the GB market.