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Play It Safe at UKGC Casinos
When gambling online, you should be able to enjoy your favorite games without worrying about your safety and that of your funds. This is why we recommend playing at a UKGC casino. All gambling sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission are audited regularly to ensure that they’re protecting players and their money.
On this page, you’ll find a complete guide on:
How the UKGC enforces regulation
Top casinos licensed by the UKGC
Safety measures at UK licensed casinos
Why you should avoid unlicensed casinos
Our Favorite UK Licensed Casinos for 2024
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#1 Casino
Yeti Casino - #1 for monster-sized wins
Banking Methods
Operating Systems
Rating
Yeti Casino offers you the chance to win monster-sized prizes, and you can become an instant millionaire when you play jackpot slots. There are also over 2000 other exciting slots, live casino games, and table games to play from a great choice of software providers. You’ll be able to take advantage of top offers, including weekly reloads. You can also win more prizes playing in tournaments.
Slots and table games from top suppliers like Microgaming & IGT.
Licensed in the jurisdictions of Malta, the UK, and Sweden.
Fast payment options available, including PayPal & Skrill.
Get 100% Refund Bonus up to £111 + 100 Extra Spins
18+, New customers only, min deposit £10, wagering 60x for refund bonus, max bet £5 with bonus funds. Free Spins bonus has x40 wagering. 23 free spins on registration (max withdrawal is £100). 100% refund bonus up to £111 + 77 spins on 1st deposit. No max cash out on deposit offers. Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse. Welcome bonus excluded for players depositing with Ecopayz, Skrill or Neteller. Full T&Cs apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#2
Get 100% up to £100
Enjoy many great gaming sessions
Check out a menu of top promotions
Enter tournaments to win extra prizes
Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5. Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions. Full T&C apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#3
Get 100% up to £100 + 10% cashback
An array of slots from top providers
Midweek redeposit offers available
Professional customer support
Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £20 | No max cash out | Wagering is 35x bonus | Maximum bet while playing with a bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Cashback is cash with no restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
#4
Get 100% up to £50 + 50 Free Spins
Licensed in the United Kingdom
Use a choice of top payment methods
Join a rewarding VIP club
18+. New players only. 100% bonus on first deposit up to £50 plus 50 Bonus spins on Book of Dead (30 spins on day 1, 10 on day2 and 10 on day 3). Min. first deposit £20. Max bonus £50. Max bonus bet £5. Max bonus cash-out £250. Wagering requirement of 40x to cash out. Bonus expiry 30 days. Free spins expiry 2 days. Game restrictions apply. Terms Apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#5
Get 100% up to £200 + 50 Bonus Spins
Take part in regular tournaments
Mobile casino included
Live chat open 24/7
18+. New players only. Min. deposit £20. Max. bonus bet is £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Winnings from Bonus spins credited as bonus funds and capped at £100. Bonus funds expire in 30 days, unused bonus funds will be removed. Welcome Offer is 100% match up to £200 plus 50 bonus spins on your 1st deposit, 50% match up to £50 on your 2nd deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
NO WAGERING ON WINNINGS!
Get 80 Free Spins on your first deposit
Get your free spins winnings in cash
Play on iOS, Android, and desktop
Access a brilliant help section
18+. This offer is only available for first time depositors. Min deposit is £10. 80 Free Spins on Book of Dead. Spin Value: £0.10. No min withdrawal. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer is only available for specific players that have been selected by PlayOJO. If you have arrived on this page not via the designated offer via PlayOJO you will not be eligible for the offer. OJO’s Rewards and Game Play policy applies. Full T&Cs apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#7
Get 100% up to £25 + 25 free spins
Compete in exciting slot tournaments
Choose from over 55 software providers
Win big progressive jackpot prizes
Terms and Conditions Apply. New players only. 18+. Min.deposit: £20. Spins available for: Book of Dead. Wagering requirements apply: 35x. Offer valid for 24hr. Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
#8
Get 100% up to £25 + 25 Free Spins
Smooth verification & fast payments
Enjoy over 100 live casino games
Top support on Live Chat
Offer applies for new players only and first deposit is required for activation. Minimum £10 deposit is required to redeem. Free Spins in offer are to be redeemed within 14 days. Full T&Cs apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#9
Get 100% up to £300 + 150 Free Spins
Chat with friendly support agents 24/7
Earn tickets for big prize draws
Play on any device
18+. New players only. One bonus offer per player. Max bonus bet is £5. Offer: 100% bonus match on 1st deposit + bonus spins. Value of bonus & number of spins depend on deposit amount: £20-£100: max £100 + 50 spins on selected games; £101-£200 bonus + 100 spins on selected games; or £200+: max £300 bonus +150 spins on eligible NetEnt Games. Winnings from spins credited as bonus and capped at £100. Bonus funds are separate to cash funds & subject to wagering requirement (35x deposit + bonus). Only bonus funds contribute to wagering requirement. Bonus funds expire within 30 days; bonus spins within 72hrs. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. www.BeGambleAware.org
#10
Get 100% up to £50 + 110 Bonus Spins
Receive regular cashbacks on your losses
Become a VIP and achieve Prestige status
Convert loyalty points into cash bonuses
Casino of the Month
Get up to 500 Free Spins
Spin slots from top software providers on the casino and Vegas platforms
Play at a well-established casino
Take advantage of existing player promotions such as bonuses and free spins
18+. New Player, £10+ deposit, no e-wallets/prepaid cards, up to 500 Free Spins, 40x wagering on Free Spins winnings. Terms apply. www.BeGambleAware.org
#12
Get up to 500 Free Spins Welcome Bonus
Spin the Mega Reel to win free spins
Win prizes in the Daily Cash Drops game
Fill up your trophy cabinet and level up
New players only, £10 min fund, £8 max win per 10 spins, max bonus conversion equal to lifetime deposits (up to £250) to real funds, 65x wagering requirements and full T&Cs apply here. www.BeGambleAware.org
#13
Get up to £100 + 50 Free Spins
The king of online and mobile casinos
Play live games from Evolution Gaming
Download the LeoVegas mobile app
Full T&Cs apply. New players only. 7 days to opt in and deposit £10+ with a further 7 days to wager 40x on Live casino. Wagering contributions vary. Max cash reward: £50. £6 bonus has 3 day expiry to use on selected Evolution games. 10x winnings from £6 bonus.18+ www.BeGambleAware.org
#14
Get up to 500 Free Spins
Slots only website with hundreds of video slots to choose from by leading developers
Claim up to £200 in bonus cash plus 20 free spins with your first three deposits
Try branded games such as Jimi Hendrix, Guns N Roses and Drive Multiplier Mayhem
New players only, £10 min fund, 65x bonus wagering requirements, max bonus conversion to real funds equal to lifetime deposits (up to £250) full T&CS apply. 18+. Play Responsibly. BeGambleaware.org
What’s the Role of the UK Gambling Commission?
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the authority that regulates gambling in Great Britain. This applies to most forms of gambling, including land based and the UK online casino market. Among other things, the UKGC is responsible for issuing licenses to casino operators. Both brick and mortar casinos and foreign online gambling sites need to apply for a license if they want to provide gambling services to players in the United Kingdom.
The UKGC’s work doesn’t stop there. Once casinos get their license, the commission monitors them to ensure they follow the guidelines. If a UKGC licensed casino breaches any of the rules, the commission can set penalties. This is usually done through hefty fines. If it’s a more serious issue, it can also temporarily suspend the operator’s license or completely revoke it. This is why the UKGC is known as one of the toughest licensing bodies around the world.
The main aim of the UKGC is to protect players, their wellbeing, and their money. It stamps out illegal gambling and investigates operators for any suspicious activities. The UKGC also raises awareness on gambling addiction. It ensures that all UKGC casinos provide information on how to gamble responsibly as well as tools to help players check their habits. Among other things, it also safeguards minors by cracking down on underage gambling.
A Brief History of the UKGC and Regulation
With the rise of online gambling and its increased popularity, the United Kingdom decided to review its gambling laws. To reflect and adapt to the changes in the industry, the UK Gambling Commission was set up. This regulatory body oversees different kinds of gambling, such as real money slots, table games, sports betting, bingo, the lottery, and more.
We’ve outlined a brief timeline of UK Gambling Commission milestones below:
2005 - The UKGC is created under the Gambling Act.
2007 - Even though the Commission is established in 2005, it is only two years later that it comes fully into effect.
2013 - The National Lottery is now also regulated by the UKGC.
2014 - The Gambling Act is updated. Casinos that want to accept players from the United Kingdom have to obtain a UKGC license. This creates a list of legal UK casinos.
2018 - The UKGC states that previous responsible gaming guidelines are now requirements. Players must be able to see their gambling history, how much they’re depositing, and set daily, weekly, and monthly spending limits.
2019 - New rules come into place around Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. There is an increased effort to address money laundering, fraud, and underage gambling.
2020 - Credit cards at land based and online casinos are banned, after the UKGC finds that a big percentage of problem gamblers use credit cards.
Why Should I Play at a UKGC Casino?
The best online casinos for UK players are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It is against the law for operators to offer gambling services to British players if they don’t have a UKGC license. However, beyond this, UKGC licensed casinos have a lot of safety measures in place to protect gamblers, which is why you should join one of our top recommended sites.
We go through a number of security measures that you’ll find at a UKGC online casino below:
Player Protection
The top concern for players online is that their personal and financial information is somehow at risk. For a gambling site to obtain a UKGC license, it must prove that it stores your data carefully and has safeguards in place to prevent others from stealing it.
Fair Games
Something else that the UKGC checks for before issuing a license is that the online casino games aren’t rigged. The casino site must show that its games use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure results are random. Also, players need to be able to see the Return to Player (RTP) percentage for all games.
Clear Bonus Terms
You should never be cheated out of your winnings, which is why UKGC licensed casinos have an obligation to add clear, simple, and complete bonus terms. If the casino uses advertising material such as promotional on-site banners, these must also include concise terms which then link to the full T&Cs.
Segregation of Funds
To make sure your money isn’t misused, the UKGC requires all gambling sites to separate company funds from player funds. This means that the online casino should always have enough money to pay out your winnings. In some cases, this might also protect you if the operator goes bankrupt.
Responsible Gambling Tools
To prevent gambling addiction, a UKGC casino must offer responsible gambling resources to players. This can look like an informational page on gambling habits and how to gamble responsibly, problem gambling tests, and links to counselling organizations.
However, this isn’t enough. Gamblers should have an option to set daily, weekly, and monthly spending limits. They should also be able to opt for a cool-off period or self-exclude from the casino if gambling starts interfering with their daily life.
Complaints System
Online gambling sites with a UKGC license need to appoint an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. If an online casino fails to resolve a complaint internally, they must bring this to the attention of an impartial third-party that will then weigh in on the dispute.
Verification Procedures
All UKGC online casinos must verify the identity of their players for a number of reasons. First off, this is done to protect the industry from money laundering. Players must also prove that they’re over 18 years old to gamble. These procedures are known as Know Your Customer (KYC checks).
Top UKGC Online Casinos
The UK Gambling Commission has licensed over 1000 online casinos, so all types of players will find something to their liking. We list some top sites in the UK online casino market below, which not only have a UKGC license but also excel in game variety, trusted software providers, fair bonus offers, and secure payment methods.
William Hill
Whether you’re looking for slots, progressive jackpots, table games, bingo, live dealer, or sports betting, you’ll find it all at William Hill. Besides being licensed to operate in the United Kingdom, William Hill also holds other reputable licenses from Malta and Gibraltar.
Casumo
Casumo features 2000+ games from some of the best game makers around, including NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Novomatic, Play’n GO, and more. You’ll also receive points when playing on slots and live casino games, which you can then exchange for rewards.
Rizk
Rizk offers weekly promotions, a variety of payment options, and fast withdrawals. In addition, an exclusive feature at this UKGC casino is the Wheel of Rizk. You’ll get points for playing in the casino, level up, and you can then spin the wheel for a chance to win prizes.
LeoVegas
You’ll find 700+ real money slots and casino games at LeoVegas, from leading providers. An exclusive feature to this UKGC casino are its branded games, such as LeoVegas Megaways and Wild Mantra. What’s more, all new players can claim a no deposit bonus upon registration.
Sloty
New players will get a generous match bonus, as well as free spins which you can use on a series of slots. Returning players also benefit from a number of promotions, including free spins, prize drops, tournaments, and live casino bonuses.
UKGC Casinos vs. Unlicensed Casinos
While it’s tempting to give in to huge bonus offers and other casino perks, you should always check if an online casino is licensed before jumping in. British players have an added advantage since the UK online casino market is well regulated, which means there are a lot of safe sites to choose from and options to gamble responsibly. Simply look out for the UKGC logo on the casino site footer, or else you can search for an operator on the UKGC’s website.
Have a look at how well you’re protected at a UKGC licensed casino when compared to an unlicensed site in our table below:
UKGC Licensed Casinos
✅ If any UKGC guidelines or player rights are breached, online casinos are penalized.
✅ Provide a fair environment to players with RNG games and random outcomes.
✅ Encryption of your personal information and financial details is top-notch at UKGC licensed casinos.
✅ Wagering requirements are the standard x35-40, and bonus terms are clear and easy to understand as outlined by the UKGC.
✅ UKGC casinos online care about their reputation and know they have to answer to the UKGC if issues arise.
Unlicensed Casinos
❌ Not accountable to a governing body, which means you probably won’t have player rights.
❌ No checks are done by third-party auditors to ensure the games are fair.
❌ If a casino site hasn’t invested in a reputable license, then it probably won’t have invested in top security measures either.
❌ Unreasonable bonus wagering requirements or constantly changing promotional terms to scam players.
❌ Shady casinos don’t usually stick around for long, just enough to pocket your money.
We should also note that there are reputable casinos licensed by other trusted bodies, such as MGA online casinos and Curaçao casinos. However, players from the United Kingdom should only gamble at UKGC licensed casinos. This is because a local gambling authority can do much more to protect you.
UKGC Casinos FAQ
What does the UKGC do?
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the authority that regulates gambling in Great Britain. They also provide gambling licenses to casino operators who want to accept UK players.
Is it safe to play at a UKGC casino?
Yes, definitely. The UKGC is known as one of the strictest commissions in the gambling industry, and operators have to meet a very high standard to obtain a UKGC license.
How do I know if a casino is licensed by the UKGC?
Most online casinos place the UKGC logo on their site footer, and also add their licensing information there. If you want to confirm that a casino does have a UKGC license, you can search for the operator’s name or account number on the Gambling Commission’s website.
What are the advantages of playing at a UKGC casino?
The UKGC audits all the online casinos it licenses and penalizes operators if they breach any of its rules. Also, if you raise an issue with a UKGC licensed casino which isn’t properly handled or resolved, an appointed third-party will need to weigh in. What’s more, the UKGC is committed to fair and responsible gambling. Online casinos must conduct a number of checks and provide RG tools to players to be in line with the commission’s guidelines.
What’s the best UKGC licensed casino?
There are many UKGC online casinos to choose from, and we’ve listed the top ones on our page. Besides being safe to play at, we’ve checked that these sites offer a variety of games, great bonuses, and quick payment options.