UK Gambling License: Laws and Regulations in 2024
UK gambling regulations consist of strict AML policies and complex licensing procedures. Sumsub explains how gambling businesses can stay compliant and avoid fines in the UK.
The UK is the second-largest gambling market in Europe, with British gamblers spending approximately £14 billion ($18.9 billion) per year. Understandably, industry regulations are continuously updated to prevent criminal activity in this massive industry.
The UK is constantly working to make the gambling industry safer. In December 2023, the Gambling Commission launched a new ‘Tell us something in confidence’ service to enable reporting of criminal and suspicious activity in the gambling industry.
To help you navigate the UK’s constantly changing regulatory environment, we’ve prepared a complete guide to UK gambling rules.
Is gambling legal and regulated in the UK?
Yes, gambling is legal and regulated in the UK.
The Gambling Commission of Great Britain is the primary regulator of the UK gambling industry. Itregulates various forms of gambling, including online gambling, sports betting, casino gaming, lotteries, and others. It also ensures that operators meet certain standards for fairness, integrity, and transparency, issuing licenses to operators who meet these requirements.
The Commission has the authority to investigate and enforce regulations, impose penalties for non-compliance, and address concerns related to problem gambling.
Furthermore, the UK has specific regulations for remote gambling operators. These operators must obtain a license from the Gambling Commission to legally offer their services to UK residents.
What are the main regulations?
- The Gambling Act 2005 (GA) is the primary gambling regulation in the UK. The Act defines various gambling terms, such as “betting,” “lottery,” and “prize.” It also provides a set of requirements for all types of gambling licenses and explains all the prohibitions and sanctions for gambling businesses. The Act was created to fight crime (such as money laundering), protect children, and establish fair conditions in gambling. Accordingly, the Gambling Commission was formed to ensure that the industry meets the requirements set out by the Act.
- The Gambling Commission Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) outline the conditions and requirements that operators must adhere to in order to obtain and maintain their gambling licenses. The LCCP covers areas such as advertising and marketing, customer protection, anti-money laundering measures, and social responsibility practices.
- The Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS) provides technical requirements for remote gambling operators, including online casinos, sports betting sites, and poker rooms. It covers various aspects such as fairness of games, player fund protection, and responsible gambling features.
- The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 addresses anti-money laundering measures and requires gambling operators to have systems and controls in place to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
- The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 establishes the framework and regulations for the operation of the National Lottery in the UK.
- The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Codes governs advertising and marketing activities related to gambling. Operators must ensure that their marketing materials comply with these codes, which include guidelines on responsible gambling messaging and restrictions on advertisements targeting vulnerable individuals.
Who’s affected?
According to the GA, the following activities and products fall under gambling regulations:
- Arcades—these consist of adult and family arcades;
- Bettings—these include all types of “bets,” either on live events or virtual ones. These can be an outcome of an event, the possibility of something to take place, and if something is true or not. Betting intermediaries are also supposed to get licensed;
- Bingo—these include online and in-person bingo games;
- Casinos—these include all online and physical ones that operate in the UK. The licensing requirements differ depending on the size of a casino;
- Lotteries—these consist of societal, private, and national lotteries. The national lottery is regulated separately from the other ones;
- Gaming machines—these include fruit machines, betting terminals, slots, and many other types of machines;
- Gambling software—these allow users to gamble remotely.
What types of licenses are there?
UK gambling licenses are separated into three types: 1) operating, 2) personal, and 3) premises. The Gambling Commission issues operating and personal licenses, while local authorities issue premises licenses.
Operating Licenses
Gambling businesses need an operating license to provide the services mentioned in the section above. In cases where providers perform several types of gambling activities (e.g., casinos + gaming machines), they need to apply for separate licenses.
Operating licenses are separated into three categories: 1) online, 2) land-based, and 3) ancillary. Ancillary licenses apply to operators that provide telephone and email betting. In cases when gambling providers operate both remotely and non-remotely, they need to hold both online and land-based licenses.
Additionally, licensing is required even if a company’s online gambling operation is located in another country—so long as they provide services to gamblers in the UK.
Who can apply?
Any person or group of people can apply, regardless of their location. All applicants should be over 18 years old. The application must specify the activities to be authorized by the license. Completed applications can be sent to the Gambling Commission’s website.
Operating License Requirements
The Gambling Commission evaluates applicants from the following perspectives:
- the identity of the applicant and people relevant to the applicant;
- financial statements that ensure the possibility to carry on the business after being licensed;
- honesty and trustworthiness;
- the applicant’s experience, expertise, qualifications, and history;
- the applicant’s criminal record.
A complete list of requirements is published in Licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005.
Timing
Operating license applications take around 16 weeks to process. The required information includes operator identity documents, policy documents, financial documents, and documents on key people, which the Commission investigates extensively.
Fees
Applicants need to pay an application fee. If the applicant is granted a license, they need to pay their first annual fee within 30 days after being licensed. From that point on, they will only need to pay an annual fee. The exact cost can be calculated by using the Gambling Commission’s online calculator.
Premises Licenses
Premises Licenses relate to non-remote businesses and give permission for using facilities to operate as casinos (or for other gambling activity). One can be obtained through local authorities.
Who can apply?
Applicants are eligible to apply for the premises license only after applying or receiving an operating license. In addition, the applicant should prove their right to occupy the premises.
Notification requirement
Within seven days after submitting the application, the applicant should notify the following authorities about the new function of the premises:
- HM Revenue and Customs;
- the local chief of police;
- the local fire and rescue service;
- the local environmental health department;
- the local planning authority;
- the local licensing authority;
- child protection service.
Fees
The local authority is in charge of determining all the premises’ fees. Fee calculation differs depending on whether the location is in England, Wales, or Scotland. More detailed information can be found here.
Personal Licenses
Personal licenses cover the key personnel of gambling businesses. The duration of such licenses is usually five years, and they must be renewed upon expiry.
There are two types of personal licenses: personal functional licenses (PFLs) and personal management licenses (PMLs).
Personal functional licenses
Staff members—such as couriers, cashiers, and security personnel—should apply for PFL. All applicants should be over 18 years old and must provide the following documents:
- an email address and mobile number;
- all residential addresses for the last five years and the dates a person lived there;
- a UK correspondence address;
- verified ID documents.
There are additional document requirements depending on if the applicant lives in Wales, England, or abroad. The complete list of specifications can be found here.
The application costs £185, and the review process takes approximately eight weeks.
Personal management licenses
Management employees, including those in charge of marketing, planning, IT, and compliance, must apply for a PML. During the application process, the following documents need to be provided:
- proof of identity (ID verification form);
- a passport-sized photograph;
- proof of identity documents for the business;
- UK contact address.
There are additional document requirements depending on whether the applicant lives in Wales, England, or abroad. The complete list of specifications can be found here.
The application costs £370, and the review process takes approximately eight weeks.
Anti-money laundering regulations
As part of the gambling laws in the UK, licensees must obtain and verify the identity of a customer before permitting them to gamble. Required information includes, but is not limited to, the customer’s name, address, and date of birth.
There are three main reasons why gambling companies ask their customers to pass verification:
- to confirm their identity for AML purposes;
- to check whether they are old enough to gamble;
- to check whether they are self-excluded from gambling.
Money laundering in the gambling sector takes on four primary forms:
- Exchanging illegal funds into seemingly legitimate money by gambling on low-risk outcomes.
- The use of criminal proceeds to fund gambling as a leisure activity.
- Online gambling and digital currencies: The rise of online gambling platforms and the use of digital currencies have created additional opportunities for money laundering. Criminals may use these platforms to gamble with illicit funds and then withdraw the funds as clean money.
- Criminals may set up shell companies or front businesses associated with gambling operations to facilitate money laundering. These entities may appear legitimate but are used to process and disguise illicit funds.
You can learn more about KYC/AML in UK from our guide.
Updates to UK Gambling Laws
In December 2023, the Gambling Commission launched a new ‘Tell us something in confidence’ service to report criminal and suspicious activity in the gambling industry.
The tell us something in confidence service should be used to report activity such as:
- Match fixing and sports betting integrity
- Underage gambling
- Money laundering concerns
- Suspicious activity
- Unlicensed gambling or criminal activity.
The new service provides a one-stop service allowing users to anonymously upload supporting information connected to their report, such as photographs and documents. Users can also send further information by email or post.
The License Conditions and Codes of Practice
All licensed operators must comply with the License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). According to these rules, gambling companies must assess the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing in their business.
If a company fails to meet some of the requirements, the Gambling Commission can revoke its license.
Complying with the LCCP also requires creating a set of policies and procedures to prevent illegal activities. Accordingly, companies should report money laundering to the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 imposes duties on all operators for the purpose of :
- disclosing instances where a company knows or suspects that a person is engaged in money laundering;
- making disclosures in the prescribed form and manner;
- obtaining appropriate consent to carry out a prohibited transaction.
In all instances where customer funds are known or suspected of having criminal origins, a report must be made to the NCA. Otherwise, the company’s employees might also be held liable for money laundering.
In order to provide a framework within which Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) may be raised and considered:
- companies should ensure that their employees make reports to the nominated officer or an employee in a managerial capacity;
- the nominated officer, or manager, should consider each report and determine whether it warrants the submission of a SAR;
- companies should ensure that their employees are appropriately trained.
Additionally, gambling companies need to comply with the Financial Action Task Force’s Recommendations. The latest updates to them can be found here.
If a gambling company fails to comply with the regulations, it can face substantial fines from the Gambling Commission. For instance, Buzz Group Ltd. was recently fined £780,000 for social responsibilities and money laundering failures.
Conclusion
The Gambling Commission is prioritizing the enforcement of AML regulations by investigating non-compliant companies. In 2020, the Commission fined businesses a total of £32.1 billion ($43.3 billion). Besides imposing financial penalties, the Commission has also revoked several gambling licenses in recent years. To avoid these consequences, companies should prioritize meeting AML requirements and reporting suspicious activities to regulators.
FAQ
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Is online gambling legal in the UK?
Yes, gambling is legal and regulated in the UK. The Gambling Commission of Great Britain is the primary regulator of the UK gambling industry. It was established after the introduction of the Gambling Act in 2005 to issue and revoke operating and personal gambling licenses. It also investigates and prosecutes illegal gambling activities.
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Do you need a gambling license in the UK?
Yes, in order to operate you need to obtain a license. UK gambling licenses are separated into three types: 1) operating, 2) personal, and 3) premises. The Gambling Commission issues operating and personal licenses, while local authorities issue premises licenses.
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What are the new gambling laws in the UK in 2024?
In December 2023, the Gambling Commission launched a new ‘Tell us something in confidence’ service to report criminal and suspicious activity in the gambling industry. The new service provides a one-stop service allowing users to anonymously upload supporting information connected to their report, such as photographs and documents. Users can also send further information by email or post.
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What does the Gambling Act 2005 cover?
The Gambling Act 2005 (GA) is the primary gambling regulation in the UK. The Act defines various gambling terms, such as “betting,” “lottery,” and “prize.” It also provides a set of requirements for all types of gambling licenses and explains all the prohibitions and sanctions for gambling businesses. The Act was created to fight crime (such as money laundering), protect children, and establish fair conditions in gambling. Accordingly, the Gambling Commission was formed to ensure that the industry meets the requirements set out by the Act.
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How much does it cost to get a gambling license in the UK?
The exact cost can be calculated by using the Gambling Commission’s online calculator.
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How long does it take to get a gambling license in the UK?
Operating license applications take around 16 weeks to process. The required information includes operator identity documents, policy documents, financial documents, and documents on key people, which the Commission investigates extensively.
