Why the licence matters
A UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence is your single best guarantee that a casino is fair, secure and accountable. Unlicensed sites offer none of those protections.
The two-minute check
- Scroll to the footer of the casino — licensed sites display their licence details and the UKGC logo there.
- Note the licence number and operator name.
- Search the public Gambling Commission register and confirm the licence is current and matches the operator.
- Check the site enforces 18+ and shows safer-gambling links (BeGambleAware, GAMSTOP).
Shortcut
Every casino on UKBetCompare has already passed this check — we verify the UKGC licence before we'll list any operator.
What a UK licence protects
- Your deposited funds are kept separate and protected.
- Games are independently tested to be fair and random.
- You get access to safer-gambling tools and self-exclusion (GAMSTOP).
- There's a complaints process and an independent dispute resolver if things go wrong.
Red flags to avoid
- No licensing information anywhere on the site.
- A licence from a regulator other than the UKGC for UK players.
- No 18+ messaging or safer-gambling links.
- Pressure to deposit quickly, or bonuses that seem too good to be true.
Play it safe
Bonuses and gambling should always be fun, never a way to make money. Set limits before you play and take a break whenever you need to — see our Safer Gambling guide. 18+ · BeGambleAware.org