License Name
UK Gambling Commission Remote Operating Licence, Land-Based Betting/Casino/Bingo/Lottery Operating Licence
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Issuing Country/Region
United Kingdom
Regulatory Body
UK Gambling Commission
Types of Regulated Games
Remote and land-based casino, betting, bingo, lotteries
Market Coverage
Local (United Kingdom)
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
UK or foreign legal entities, must comply with UK company and tax laws; remote operators require UK address and equipment
Minimum Share Capital
No statutory minimum for most license types
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Personal Management Licences for key personnel; strict identity, integrity, and financial fitness checks for directors/shareholders
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Mandatory robust AML measures under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; detailed policies and controls required for all licensees
Data Protection Requirements
Must comply with UK GDPR
Reporting Requirements
Regular financial, operational, and player protection reports; frequency varies by license type
Audit Requirements
Regular independent audits required, as specified by the Gambling Commission
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software and remote gaming systems must meet and be tested against the Remote Technical Standards
RNG Certification
Certified and regularly tested random number generators required for relevant games
Payment System Requirements
Use of licensed, secure, and verified payment service providers
Server Location Requirements
At least one piece of gambling equipment must be located in the UK for remote operators
Domain Name Requirements
No specific requirement for UK domains; operators must clearly display licence details
Language Support Requirements
English required; additional language support recommended for customer service
Currency Support Requirements
British Pound Sterling (GBP) required; other currencies allowed
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal and compliance service costs vary; must budget for application, annual fees, audits, and legal help
Background Checks
Mandatory criminal, financial, and integrity checks on all key persons and shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Only activities listed in the licence are permitted; gambling with virtual items and some forms of social gaming require separate evaluation
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Must comply with all UK gambling tax requirements (Remote Gaming Duty, Betting Duty, etc.)
Player Data Storage Requirements
Secure data storage in compliance with UK GDPR; systems must ensure data integrity and player privacy
Cross-Border Operations
Operators serving UK residents must be licensed; cross-border marketing/operations require extra compliance
License Application Transparency
Application details must be thorough and accurate; misleading submissions can result in denial/revocation
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated compliance officer must act as main contact with the Commission
Compliance Officer Requirement
Yes, required
Local Partnership Requirements
Not generally required except for certain physical premises licensing
Legal Dispute Resolution
Gambling Appeals Tribunal; Magistrates Courts for local authority issues
License Transferability
Not transferrable; a new application is required for entity change
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted under UKGC regime
License Cost
Application fees range from £2,640 to £57,304 depending on business size/type; remote licence can be up to £91,686
Annual Fees
£1,000 up to £793,729, based on annual gross gambling yield; additional fees for very large operators
Income Taxes
Remote Gaming Duty at 21% of gross gaming yield; General Betting Duty at 3–15%; Pool Betting Duty at 15%
Player Winnings Taxes
No tax on player winnings (player winnings are tax-free in the UK)
Financial Guarantees
Proof of funds required; the scale depends on business type and risk assessment
Liquidity Requirements
Must demonstrate financial solvency and secure player funds under License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)
Financial Reporting Requirements
Monthly/annual financial statements as set by the Commission
Application Processing Time
Typically 8 to 16 weeks for complete applications
Required Documents
Business plan, ownership chart, identity/fit and proper documents, financials, AML policies, software/system details, prior gambling licences (if applicable)
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business plan required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, data protection and IT security policies mandatory
Testing Requirements
Testing of RNGs, platforms, and systems by approved labs
Certification Requirements
Certification against Remote Technical Standards (RTS)
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must hold PML and prove relevant skills/experience
Physical Office Requirements
Remote operators must have contact address and gambling equipment in the UK
Local Representative Requirements
Not mandatory except for certain premises licences
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising must comply with UK Advertising Standards Authority codes and UKGC rules; no targeting of minors or vulnerable persons
Responsible Gaming Measures
Compulsory responsible gambling tools, self-exclusion options, player protection rules
Self-Exclusion System
Participation in national self-exclusion schemes required
Age Verification Procedures
Strict age and identity checks prior to gambling
KYC Procedures
Comprehensive KYC/AML checks on all customers required
Customer Support Standards
English support required, robust complaint procedures mandatory
Complaint Handling Procedures
Formal process required, with regulator involvement if unresolved
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds required under Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice
Payout Timelines
Must pay out promptly, typically within set terms in T&Cs
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Must be clear, fair, and not target children or at-risk persons
Permitted Games List
Dependent on the licences held (betting, casino, bingo, lottery)
Betting Limits
New statutory maximum stake limits (e.g., £2-15 per online slot spin) introduced in 2025
RTP Requirements
No statutory minimum, but fairness must be upheld through testing and transparency
Jackpot Regulations
Must manage player funds and progressive jackpots transparently
Live Game Requirements
Permitted for licensees holding correct permissions
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to all technical, regulatory, and responsible gambling requirements
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliates must comply with same advertising and licensing rules as operators
Security Standards
Information not found in publicly available sources.
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS encryption mandatory for data protection
Backup Requirements
Secure, regular backups required for critical data
Monitoring Systems
24/7 monitoring, incident detection, and reporting must be in place
Operation Logging
Mandatory logging of major operations for audit trail
Anti-Fraud Systems
Sophisticated anti-fraud systems required
API Integration Standards
APIs must comply with data protection and technical standards
Hosting Requirements
At least one equipment piece (e.g., server or storage) in the UK for remote licence
CDN Usage
Permitted, provided data security and player protection are maintained
Scalability Requirements
Must support growth and ensure consistent service availability
Uptime Requirements
Operators expected to ensure high availability, with minimum downtimes
Technical Support Availability
24/7 is industry best practice
License Duration
Indefinite, with annual fee payment required for continuation
Renewal Procedure
Pay annual fee and pass ongoing compliance to maintain licence
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, licence suspension or revocation for breaches; prosecution possible for serious infractions
Ownership Change Rules
Must notify UKGC of any change in control/shareholding; new application may be required for major changes
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Regulatory approval may be required; all changes must be notified promptly
Subcontractor Regulations
Key service providers must be approved by the UKGC
Branding Requirements
Must display UKGC licence number and responsible gambling messaging
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators must ensure software/content IP is properly licensed
Dispute Arbitration
Gambling Appeals Tribunal for licence/regulator disputes; consumer complaints handled by appointed ADR providers
Insurance Requirements
Not explicitly required for licence; prudent operators secure various policies
Charity Contributions
1.1% GGY levy for online gambling payable to fund responsible gambling programs effective October 2025
Staff Training Requirements
Ongoing training in AML, responsible gambling, and compliance required
Innovation Support
No formal sandbox, but new technologies must comply with all UKGC requirements and standards
Sustainability Initiatives
Not mandated, but responsible gambling and consumer protection prioritized
Accessibility Standards
Website, app, and games should be accessible; UK law mandates basic accessibility requirements
Multilingual Support
English required, additional languages optional
Cryptocurrency Support
Not expressly prohibited, but operations must meet all AML/KYC and technical standards
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under betting licence with proper oversight
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Permitted as betting or pool betting, licensing required
Official Address
UK Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4BP, United Kingdom
Postal Address
UK Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4BP, United Kingdom
Online Application Portal
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/apply-for-a-licence
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00 UK time
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/gamblingcommission
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/gamblingcomm
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/user/GamblingComm
Departments
Licensing, Compliance, Enforcement, Gambling Policy, Corporate Services, Research and Statistics
FAQ Question 1
What is the UK Remote Gambling Licence and Licence for Land-Based Betting/Casino/Bingo/Lotteries?
FAQ Answer 1
The UK Gambling Commission issues licences that authorize operators to provide remote (online) and land-based gambling services, including betting, casino games, bingo, and lotteries under the Gambling Act 2005. These licences ensure that gambling activities are conducted fairly, transparently, and responsibly in the UK.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the UK Remote Gambling Licence and Licence for Land-Based Betting/Casino/Bingo/Lotteries?
FAQ Answer 2
These licences are issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the regulatory authority responsible for licensing and supervising gambling operators in the United Kingdom.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the UK Remote Gambling Licence and Licence for Land-Based Betting/Casino/Bingo/Lotteries?
FAQ Answer 3
Application fees vary by licence type and operator size but typically range from £2,500 to £60,000. Annual fees are based on gross gambling yield and can range significantly depending on the operator’s revenue. Additional costs include compliance audits, regulatory fees, and ongoing reporting requirements.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the UK Remote Gambling Licence and Licence for Land-Based Betting/Casino/Bingo/Lotteries?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include thorough background checks on owners and key personnel, demonstration of financial stability, implementation of effective responsible gambling measures, compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, secure and certified gaming systems, and adherence to strict reporting and auditing standards set by the UKGC.