Every casino legally authorised to serve UK players holds a remote operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission. That licence is publicly searchable, freely accessible, and takes less than two minutes to verify. Despite this, most players never check. This guide walks through the exact process step by step so that any player can confirm whether a casino is licensed before making a first deposit.
Where to find a casino's licence number
Licensed UK casinos are required to display their Gambling Commission licence number on their website. In most cases, this appears in the site footer alongside a link to the Commission's public register. Some operators display it on a dedicated “Regulatory Information” or “Licensing” page linked from the footer or the terms and conditions section.
The licence number is typically a five- or six-digit account number, sometimes preceded by a reference code. For example, bet365's casino licence is held under account number 55149 by Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC. Ladbrokes, Coral, and the wider Entain online network operate under account number 54743, held by LC International Limited.
If a casino does not display a licence number anywhere on its website, that is a significant warning sign. While the absence of a visible number does not automatically mean the site is unlicensed, all UKGC licence holders are required under the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice to make their licensing information available to customers. A missing licence number should prompt immediate verification through the Commission's register before any deposit is made.
How to search the Gambling Commission public register
The Gambling Commission maintains a searchable public register of all licensed operators at gamblingcommission.gov.uk. The register is free to use and does not require an account or login. To verify a casino's licence, follow these steps.
Go to the Gambling Commission website at gamblingcommission.gov.uk. Navigate to the public register section, which is accessible from the main menu under “Public register” or through a direct search. The register allows searches by operator name, account number, or trading name.
Enter the casino's name, the operator's legal entity name, or the licence account number into the search field. For example, searching for “Ladbrokes” will return results showing LC International Limited as the licence holder. Searching for “bet365” will return results for Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC and Hillside (UK Sports) ENC.
The search results display the licence holder's name, account number, licence type, licence status, and any trading names associated with the licence. Click through to the full record to see additional details including the licence start date, any attached conditions, and whether any regulatory actions have been taken.
| Field | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Licence status | Whether the operator is currently authorised | Must say "Active" — not suspended, surrendered, or revoked |
| Licence type | What gambling services the operator can offer | Should include "Remote Casino" for online casinos |
| Account number | The operator's unique identifier | Should match the number displayed on the casino's website |
| Trading names | The consumer brands operating under this licence | The casino name should appear in this list |
| Licensee name | The legal entity holding the licence | This is the company responsible for your account and funds |
| Regulatory actions | Any enforcement history | Check for fines, additional conditions, or warnings |
What each licence field means
The licence status is the single most important field. An active licence means the operator is currently authorised to offer gambling services to consumers in Great Britain. Any status other than active — including suspended, surrendered, revoked, or lapsed — means the operator is not currently authorised. A casino operating without an active licence is doing so illegally under the Gambling Act 2005.
The licence type tells you what services the operator is permitted to offer. For an online casino, the relevant licence type is “Remote Casino Operating Licence.” Some operators also hold separate licences for remote betting, remote bingo, or gambling software. A company holding only a remote betting licence is not authorised to offer casino games, even if casino games appear on its website.
The licensee name is the legal entity that holds the licence. This is the company that is responsible for your account, your deposited funds, your personal data, and any disputes that arise. The licensee name may be different from the consumer brand name. For example, the casino brand “Coral” is operated by LC International Limited. Understanding which legal entity holds the licence is essential for sister-site research, because all brands operated by the same licensee share the same compliance record.
Trading names are the consumer-facing brand names authorised to operate under the licence. One licensee can have multiple trading names. LC International Limited, for example, has over twelve trading names including Ladbrokes, Coral, bwin, Gala Bingo, and Foxy Bingo. If a brand name does not appear as a trading name under any active licence, that brand is not authorised to serve UK customers.
Verifying the operator beyond the UKGC register
The Gambling Commission register confirms licensing status, but it does not tell the full story about an operator. For a more complete picture, cross-reference the licence information with other public records.
Companies House at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk provides corporate filings for UK-registered entities. Search for the licensee name to find its registered address, directors, shareholders, and any parent or subsidiary company relationships. This is how sister-site connections are independently verified: if two casino brands are operated by entities that share the same parent company in Companies House filings, they are confirmed sister sites regardless of how different their websites look.
For operators registered outside the UK, equivalent registries in other jurisdictions provide similar information. The Malta Business Registry covers Malta-registered entities, which is relevant because many UK-licensed operators use Maltese subsidiaries. The Isle of Man Companies Registry and the Gibraltar Company Registry cover operators based in those jurisdictions.
Payment infrastructure provides a third layer of verification. The payment entity name that appears on your bank statement when you deposit at a casino identifies the company processing the transaction. If two casinos show the same payment entity, that is a strong indicator they share the same operator, even if their websites and brand names are different.
- UKGC Public RegisterConfirms licence status, type, holder entity, and regulatory actions.
- Companies HouseConfirms corporate ownership, directors, parent companies, and sister-site connections.
- Payment infrastructureConfirms which company processes your transactions and handles your funds.
What to do if a casino is not on the register
If a casino does not appear on the Gambling Commission's public register — either under its brand name, its operator name, or any trading name associated with it — that casino is not licensed to serve UK customers. Playing on an unlicensed site means operating outside the UK regulatory framework entirely.
Unlicensed operators are not required to segregate player funds, which means deposits may not be protected if the operator becomes insolvent. They are not required to participate in the national self-exclusion scheme, meaning self-exclusion at other operators will not carry across. They are not subject to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, meaning there are no enforceable standards for responsible gambling, customer interaction, or fair terms. And they are not required to offer access to an approved ADR provider, meaning there is no formal complaints process if a dispute arises over a withdrawal, a bonus term, or an account closure.
The Gambling Commission cannot investigate complaints against operators it does not licence. If a player encounters a problem at an unlicensed casino, the Commission has no jurisdiction to intervene. In practical terms, the player has no regulatory recourse in the United Kingdom.
- ✓ Funds segregated and protected
- ✓ Self-exclusion coverage
- ✓ ADR dispute resolution (IBAS)
- ✓ UKGC regulatory oversight
- ✓ LCCP fair terms requirements
- ✗ No fund protection
- ✗ No self-exclusion coverage
- ✗ No formal complaints process
- ✗ No regulatory oversight
- ✗ No enforceable standards
Common mistakes when checking licences
Some players assume that a casino displaying the Gambling Commission logo on its website is sufficient proof of licensing. It is not. Any website can display a logo or an image. The only reliable verification is searching the UKGC public register directly and confirming that the brand appears as an active trading name under an active licence.
Another common mistake is confusing payment method availability with licensing. A casino accepting PayPal, Visa, or UK bank transfers may appear legitimate because these payment providers are associated with regulated markets. However, payment method availability is determined by agreements between the casino and the payment provider, not by the Gambling Commission. An unlicensed casino may accept the same payment methods as a fully licensed one.
A third mistake is assuming that a licence in another jurisdiction provides the same protections as a UKGC licence. A Malta Gaming Authority licence, a Gibraltar licence, or a Curacao licence does not authorise an operator to serve UK customers. Only a Gambling Commission licence provides the consumer protections, fund segregation requirements, and dispute resolution access that UK regulation guarantees. An operator holding a foreign licence but not a UKGC licence is not legally authorised to offer gambling services to consumers in Great Britain.
Quick reference checklist
Before depositing at any online casino, verify the following. Is the Gambling Commission licence number displayed on the casino's website? Does that number correspond to an active licence on the UKGC public register? Does the casino's brand name appear as a trading name under that licence? Is the licence type appropriate for the services offered (Remote Casino Operating Licence for casino games)? Are there any regulatory actions, conditions, or enforcement records attached to the licence? And does the licensee entity match what Companies House records show for the corporate parent?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, or if the information cannot be found, reconsider depositing until the licensing position is clear. A genuine, licensed UK casino will make all of this information readily available.
- Licence number visible on the casino website
- Number matches an active licence on the UKGC register
- Brand name appears as a trading name under that licence
- Licence type includes "Remote Casino"
- No adverse enforcement actions attached
- Licensee entity traceable through Companies House
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a UK casino is licensed?
Visit the Gambling Commission's public register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk and search for the casino by brand name, operator name, or licence account number. The register is free to use and confirms whether the operator holds an active licence to offer gambling services in Great Britain.
What does "active" licence status mean?
An active licence means the operator is currently authorised by the Gambling Commission to offer gambling services to UK consumers. Any other status — suspended, surrendered, revoked, or lapsed — means the operator is not currently authorised and should not be accepting UK players.
Can I trust a casino that displays the UKGC logo on its website?
No. A displayed logo or image is not proof of licensing. Any website can copy and display a regulatory logo. The only reliable verification is searching the UKGC public register directly and confirming the brand appears under an active licence.
What is the difference between the brand name and the licensee name?
The brand name is the consumer-facing casino name you see on the website. The licensee name is the legal entity that holds the Gambling Commission licence and is responsible for your account, funds, and data. Multiple brands can operate under a single licensee. For example, Ladbrokes and Coral both operate under LC International Limited.
Does a licence from Malta or Gibraltar cover UK players?
No. Only a UK Gambling Commission licence authorises an operator to serve consumers in Great Britain. Licences from the Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar, Curacao, or any other jurisdiction do not provide the same regulatory protections and do not grant legal authorisation to operate in the UK market.
What should I do if a casino is not on the UKGC register?
Do not deposit. A casino that does not appear on the Gambling Commission's public register is not authorised to serve UK customers. Playing on an unlicensed site means no fund protection, no self-exclusion coverage, no formal dispute resolution, and no regulatory oversight.