What UK Laws to Know Before Opening a Casino Key Regulations
As above, 1968 Act casinos will retain the option of continuing to operate under the existing regime should they not wish to increase their machine allocations. We would like to make the process for taking up the entitlement of additional machines as simple as possible for both operators and licensing authorities. Anecdotal evidence shows that only three of the 2005 Act casinos offer betting, representing about 0.2% of the total GGY for each of those casino premises. There has been no evidence that permitting betting in 2005 Act casinos resulted in increased harm, and the Gambling Commission’s view is that permitting sports betting in 1968 Act casinos is unlikely to have any particular impact on the Act’s licensing objectives. There are likely to be indirect costs in the form of displacement from online sports betting as those in casinos who would otherwise have bet on sports using mobile devices may be more inclined to do so using casino services.
In July 2026, UK ministers began a crackdown on unlicensed casinos sponsoring sports teams. Under the second stage of the process the authority has to decide between the competing applications and grant any available licences to those applications which in their opinion will result in the greatest benefit to its area. This process will result in one or more provisional decisions to grant a premises licence, which will be disclosed to the applicant and any party that made representations.
This includes poker, roulette, blackjack and other casino games, as well as online slot games. On that basis, these types of product can be sited in the table gaming area as delineated on a layout plan, although they will not count as gaming tables for the purpose of the machine to table ratio. However, licensing authorities may receive applications including a layout plan showing these automated tables and terminals sited in the table gaming area. The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 states that wholly automated gaming tables and electronic terminals used in connection with real games of chance, will not count as ‘gaming tables’ for the purpose of the machine to table ratio. Licensing authorities which grant the variation may attach a condition to the licence (under section 169 Gambling Act 2005) limiting the licence to the specific activity in contemplation (for example SSBTs or over the counter betting). The detail of these responsible authorities should also be set out in the licensing authority’s Statement of Principles for Gambling (gambling policy statement).
While the powers to make changes to gaming machine entitlements are reserved, the protective measures that the government views as necessary accompaniments to any such change are devolved2. 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. In 2024, the new government reviewed the proposals in relation to modernising the rules for casinos and decided to implement the changes as outlined in the previous government’s consultation on this matter.
These respondents also suggested that increasing the availability of gaming machines will not make customers more likely to take breaks, due to the prospect of other customers taking over their machine and claiming their ‘perceived winnings’. This opposition was primarily from industry stakeholders, who argued that the other space requirements and the imposition of a machine to table ratio would ensure a balance between table gaming, machines and non-gambling space. The casino measures section of the consultation received 41 responses from a variety of stakeholders, including gambling operators and trade bodies, local government organisations, campaign groups and academics.
Compliance activity is based on risk and the risk that each licensed activity poses to the Gambling Commission’s licensing objectives. An important part of the Gambling Commission’s work is to ensure that licence holders are compliant. We will send you a letter explaining which documents are missing and you’ll need to reapply online. We will ask you to provide information about you and your business as part of your licence application. A casino application can take up to 16 weeks to process depending on the complexity of your business.
Assessing your application
If licensing decisions are delayed due to applicants’ failure to provide adequate information in good time, those applicants can expect their application to be determined on the basis of the information the Commission has available to it, with the risk the application will be refused. While the Commission is willing to engage with applicants through requests for clarification or further information, it will seek to expedite matters at all times, and will not allow uncooperative applicants to delay licensing decisions. This indicates that the applicant is unlikely to pose a risk to the licensing objectives; the applicant has a proven track record of being able to carry on the licensed activities in question; the applicant has a proven track record of being able to meet the requirements of the Act and the Commission’s LCCP. This indicates that the applicant is unlikely to pose a risk to the licensing objectives; the applicant appears to be suitable to carry on the licensed activities in question; the applicant appears likely to be able to meet the requirements of the Act and the Commission’s LCCP. This indicates that there is less risk to the licensing objectives; the applicant meets the minimum expectations regarding suitability; the applicant just meets the requirements of the Act and the Commission’s LCCP.
Browse and search all companies holding UKGC gambling licences. This does not apply to a casino which was 1,500m² or larger on 12th May 2025, provided the size of that casino’s gambling area is not subsequently increased and the casino remains in the same premises. The mandatory conditions vary depending on whether the holder of the licence has decided to exercise the extended entitlement, and if not, whether the floor area of the gambling area in the casino is 200m² or more. 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. (3) The maximum number of separate betting positions that may be made available for use at any time in relation to betting machines is determined in accordance with the table below. 5.—(1) This paragraph applies to all premises in respect of which a converted casino premises licence has effect.
Licensing fees vary by premises type. Therefore, the proposals set out in this chapter will only apply to licensing authorities in England and Wales. However, it should be noted that respondents were most likely to have spent their own money on types of gambling activity that are legal or do not feature age restricted products, such as penny pusher or claw grab arcade games. Bacta’s members make up approximately 70-80% of the market for family entertainment centres and adult gaming centres. In addition, we would like to receive any evidence or information on best practice in these venues that could then be disseminated among operators. Further details on machine types and permitted locations can be found at Figure 11.
- • Each separate area comprising the non-gambling area, other than the lobby areas and toilet facilities, must contain recreational facilities that are available for use by customers on the premises.
- As outlined, the Gambling Commission has expressed concern regarding the adherence of operators to ‘available for use’ guidance.
- Maximum gambling area for 1968 Act casinos will be decided following responses to the consultation.
By submitting your responses via email you are agreeing to the terms outlined in the privacy notice. (Mandatory responseYes / No / I don’t know Are you happy for government to attribute responses to your organisation in a published response to this consultation? (Gambling industry professional, gambling researcher/academic, gambling treatment provider, personally harmed by gambling, affected negatively by another person’s gambling, recreational gambler, government/regulatory professional, other, prefer not to say) Please upload any further evidence or any other information that should be considered in this consultation relating to licensing authority fees. Please provide any additional views or evidence on the potential impacts of raising licence fees here.
The size of Britain’s land-based casino sector has remained relatively flat in recent years, in contrast to an expanding online market. Restrictions on supply were originally viewed as an important protection in the 2005 Act, but in the light of the availability of remote gambling the characteristics of products and quality of monitoring have assumed greater importance. Navigating the complex web of UK casino laws is essential for new operators aiming to succeed. These UK casino regulations allow larger venues to diversify offerings but require careful compliance to avoid penalties. These responsible gambling measures require operators to update systems and inform players, ensuring compliance by mid-2025. Gaming machine rules are also shifting, impacting casino operations.
We also strongly disagree with the assertion that Category D crane grab machines should not have a maximum transaction limit. They also said that there should not be a maximum transaction limit on Category D crane grab machines. For example, a person leaving a gaming machine to go to an ATM will be required to enter their PIN.
This means that the default position for them is to look to grant the application, which is in stark contrast to alcohol licensing. In considering the application, the licensing authority must “aim to permit” the application. Ultimately, the application may go to a hearing although the Act allows a new licence to be granted under delegated powers if there have been no representations. A site notice would be affixed at the premises and the application advertised in a local paper.
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. We think that the requirements of account verification, transaction limit, and deposit limits, alongside a minimum transaction time will provide appropriate safeguards for these lower stake machines. We do not propose that Category D machines are required to allow customers to set time and monetary thresholds in order to accept direct debit card payments. The pub sector argued that it would be disproportionate, cost-prohibitive and unlikely to be achievable on these types of machines. Some concerns were raised by industry about the technical feasibility of voluntary limits, particularly for Category D crane grab machines.
However, where a converted casino premises seeks to utilise the extended gaming machines entitlement, it will need to vary its premises licence to show the table gaming area on the plan, whether or not there are changes to any other part of the premises used for gambling or the non-gambling area. In addition, Small 2005 Act casinos which take advantage of the new machine to table ratio, and/or the reduced minimum table gaming area, will also need to apply to their local licensing authority to vary their premises licence, given the changes in non-gambling and gambling areas. Other use of premises to legally provide gambling facilities, such as authorisations for alcohol licensed premises, clubs and miners’ welfare institutions, and family entertainment centres (for those with Category D gaming machines only), do not need a premises licence. In cases where providers perform several types of gambling activities (e.g., casinos + gaming machines), they need to apply for separate licenses. This includes online casinos, sports betting sites, bingo operators and land-based gambling premises.
These are the types of gambling licences you will need to run your casino not on gamstop gambling business. The first annual fee (for the non-remote Casino 2005 Act operating licence only) will be reduced by 50 percent. The first annual fee for a non-remote (2005 Act (opens in new tab)) casino licence is due six months after the licence is issued to you. A large casino under the 2005 Act (opens in new tab) has a minimum table gaming area of 1,000 square metres and a minimum non-gambling area of 500 square metres.
Step 2: Register on the UKGC eServices Portal
This would also apply for in-fill and tablet gaming machines. Our objective in reforming the ratio of Category C and D to Category B gaming machines is to support a sector which has experienced significant commercial challenges in recent years through increased flexibility over their gaming machine offer. This chapter outlines the evidence received in relation to the white paper proposal to amend the ratio of Category C and D to Category B gaming machines in arcade and bingo venues.
The UKGC maintains an up-to-date public register of all their licensed operators. Here, you can use their search feature to look up the casino by name. First thing to do is to check the casino’s footer for the UKGC logo. This allows us to give you a balanced and transparent overview of each casino. The ratings are based on comprehensive UK casino reviews carried out by Bojoko’s casino experts. It offers games, ranging from slots to table games and live casino, from over 50 game suppliers.
This process of formal review – Section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 – can result in almost any sort of penalty from the regulator, including suspension and revocation of licences. Personal licences tend to have a five-year duration and must, however, be renewed. This distinction cannot be ignored, and the regulator has no power to grant a licence that authorises both remote and land-based activity.
Chapter 3: Cashless payments on gaming machines
Where the ability to offer certain gambling activities has been expanded, the provision of these would not fall within the terms of Section 187 and would therefore not require an application to vary the premises licence solely for the addition of an authorised activity. For example, the new Regulations authorise converted casino premises to offer betting. Operators and licensing authorities should also have regard to Section 187 of the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in new tab) in respect of applications to vary a premises licence. To be clear, any premises licence applications made to access entitlements under the new Regulations are the same in nature as any other premises application and should be processed in the same way by licensing authorities. An existing non-remote 1968 Act casino licence holder does not wish to change their existing operation after the new Regulations come into effect.
A number of casino licences exist across the UK but are not actually in use. In certain areas of the UK it is simply not possible to seek a new casino premises licence because the law prevents it. What this means is that it is not always possible to even apply for a new casino premises licence because of this cap. The application for a premises licence is made to the licensing authority. An operating licence cannot be transferred in the traditional licensing sense but the Act does allow for changes in ‘corporate control’ and other forms of change. In order to seek a casino operating licence you must have some considerable knowledge of the industry and practice of operating a casino at the ‘coal face’.
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Some trade associations also highlighted the GamCare Code of Conduct for the display of socially responsible messaging, which they adhere to and requires that 20% of screen content displays safer gambling messages. The overwhelming thrust of responses was that any messaging should be based on evidence. This question elicited the most detailed responses in this chapter from a wide variety of respondents. This proposal will help build a picture of the customer’s play and is already standard in betting shops.
The Gambling Commission regulates arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, lottery operators, external lottery managers and remote gambling (online and by phone) that use British-based equipment. From data provided by industry, we understand that there are eight 1968 Act casinos that have a gambling area of 1500sqm or over, and a similar number that are close to 1500sqm and which could be expanded if they decide to site more gaming machines and tables. 1968 Act casinos will move to the new regime once they elect to increase their enhanced entitlement to gaming machines, becoming subject to the mandatory premises licence conditions and fee scales of a 2005 Act casino. Where a casino has two premises licences, an operator is able to site 40 gaming machines in the same building; and where an operator has three licences, 60 gaming machines. In this instance, a casino with 3 premises licences could theoretically site a maximum of 240 gaming machines, which would not be the policy intention.
Responses from industry advocated for either no increase in the maximum chargeable premises fees or a small increase of 10%. A key stated benefit was the ability to undertake more proactive engagement and enforcement activities with licensed premises. Licensing authorities highlighted numerous benefits which would be achieved by increasing the maximum chargeable premises fees by 30%. However, a number of these responses stated that this would still be below the amount necessary to undertake their duties to the fullest extent. The majority of licensing authorities advocated for a 30% increase.
