The UK Gambling Commission regulates all legal online gambling aimed at UK residents. An operator without a UKGC licence cannot legally accept your custom, regardless of how polished their app looks.
What the licence covers
- Segregation of customer funds from operating money in approved accounts
- Participation in GamStop, the national self-exclusion scheme
- Clear display of terms, RTP information and safer gambling tools
- Anti-money-laundering checks at registration and before large withdrawals
- Fair game testing through approved laboratories for RNG-based titles
How to verify a licence
Search the operator name on the UKGC public register. The entry shows licence status, company name and any regulatory actions. Legitimate sites display their licence number in the footer — tap through on mobile to confirm it matches the register.
Remote vs retail licences
Online casinos hold remote operating licences. Some brands also run physical betting shops under separate retail licences — the online product still needs its own remote authorisation. A familiar high-street name does not automatically mean the online arm is licensed; check independently.
When things go wrong
Disputes with UKGC-licensed operators can be escalated to an approved alternative dispute resolution provider listed in the operator's terms. For regulatory concerns about an operator's conduct, contact the Commission directly. Wager Indexer cannot intervene in individual disputes.
