UKGC Gambling Licence – A Comprehensive Guide on How to Get UK Gaming Licence in 2025

To legally operate in the United Kingdom betting and gaming industry, operators have to apply for a UK gambling licence. Fortunately, this is also one of the most prestigious licensing permits in the world. Obtaining a UKGC licence allows you to embark on a casino software development project and other gambling activities in various international jurisdictions. This post is a comprehensive guide to the UKGC licence, explaining how it works and how to get it in 2025. 

• The UK gambling license is a prestigious permit mandatory for any operator offering gambling services to players in the United Kingdom.
• It is issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is the regulatory body that upholds the integrity of the gambling industry in the UK and ensures that players are adequately protected. 
• The licensing process takes approximately 16 weeks, requiring business registration, submission of financial statements, business plans, identity checks, and other due diligence checks by the UK’s gambling regulator.
• To maintain the UK licence, operators must follow strict AML policies, ensure fair play, protect minors, and undergo regular audits and financial reporting in line with gambling regulations.

Understanding the UK Gaming License

Operators looking to run a gambling operation in the UK need to obtain a license from the regulatory authority in this jurisdiction. This license, known as the UK Gaming license, is one of the top gambling licenses in the world.

The UK gambling license is recognized across many jurisdictions as an indicator that the operator has a robust system and controls in place to comply with stringent regulatory standards to prevent money laundering or financial crimes and protect the interest of players.

What Is a UK Online Gambling License?

The UK online gambling license is an operating license or permit issued to online gambling businesses that offer their services to players in the UK (England, Wales, and Scotland) and other international jurisdictions. This permit is issued by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission in line with the 2005 Gambling Act.

History and Overview of UK Gaming License

The United Kingdom is one of the biggest gambling markets in Europe and the rest of the world. In 2022 alone, British gambling operators made up to 4.7 billion in revenue. The UK Gambling sector is also one of the oldest. People have been gambling in this jurisdiction for centuries, as it is the main recreational activity in Great Britain.

Gambling has been a legally regulated activity in the UK since the 1960s. The first law to be passed in this regard was the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, which allowed commercial bingo halls to run and legalized sports betting. 

Interestingly, even before betting was formally legalized by the Gambling Act, remote gambling was technically permitted. While in-person gambling was prohibited by law, people could place bets over the telephone. 

In 2005, as online gambling became popular, the UK Gambling Act was passed. The legislation established the Gambling Commission, which took over from the Gaming Board for Great Britain in 2007 as the jurisdiction’s main regulatory and licensing authority. 

Key Functions and Powers of the UK Gambling Commission

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the body responsible for regulating the gambling industry in the UK. The company regulates all gambling activities, including arcades, sportsbooks, bingo, casinos, slot machines, and lotteries. The UKGC also regulates remote gaming in the jurisdiction. The only exception is spread betting which is controlled by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. 

• The UKGC issues licenses to both non-remote and remote gambling operators in line with the Gambling Act. 
• The commission works to ensure that licenses act in accordance with the regulatory requirements stipulated in the Gambling Act and other relevant regulations. 
• The commission reviews and examines the financial activities of licensed gambling businesses and may recommend amendments. 
• The UKGC takes regulatory actions against license holders found to be in breach of regulations. This includes simply warning them, imposing a fine, revoking the operator’s license, and prosecuting illegal gambling operators.
• The commission has an intelligence department that investigates and collects information about operators and their activities and may collaborate with other organizations for such investigations. 
• The UKGC is responsible for proposing and implementing changes to national gambling regulations.

Types of UK Gambling Licenses

UK gambling licenses are grouped into three broad categories: operating, personal, and premises. The Gambling Commission issues operating licenses to gambling companies and personal licenses to individuals. The premises license is issued by local authorities. 

Operating License

Gambling businesses operating an arcade, bingo, sportsbook, casino, lottery, or gambling software must apply for and obtain an operating license. This is further grouped into three main categories: 

• Online: Also known as a remote license, this is a permit that allows license holders to provide casino games and other gambling products through an online platform. 
• Land-based: Non-remote gambling is issued to operators that facilitate betting activities at physical locations such as betting shops, race tracks, and other brick-and-mortar venues. 
• Ancillary: This is a license issued to operators that provide telephone or email betting services. 

Note that providers that perform multiple gambling activities will have to apply for separate licenses for each operation. The rights and limitations of each license depend on the activity being applied for. 

Personal Management License

This is a special license for individuals occupying management positions in a gambling company applying for an operating license in the UK. This application must be submitted alongside the operating license application. 

Personal Functional License

This is a license category for key individuals performing a functional but non-management role in a gambling organization applying for a license. Examples of individuals who may need this license include dealers or croupiers, cashiers, inspectors, game supervisors, and security or surveillance officers. 

Benefits of the UK Gambling License

• Access to the UK market 
• Prestige 
• Customer trust 
• Robust regulations 

Access to the UK Market 

A UK gambling license is a prerequisite for any company looking to operate in the United Kingdom, one of the largest gambling markets in Europe and worldwide. This is also true for remote gambling companies that wish to operate in the UK without establishing a physical presence in the jurisdiction. 

Prestige 

The UKGC is one of the most prestigious gambling regulatory authorities in the world, known for its high regulatory standards. A license from the commission grants you access to several international markets. 

Customer Trust 

The UK Gaming License is well known among gamblers and considered a seal of quality. Getting this license will significantly improve the acquisition and retention of new players because the license adds a layer of trust and credibility to your brand.

Robust Regulations 

As one of the most mature gambling jurisdictions in the world, the UK has comprehensive legislation for its gambling industry. The UKGC also provides guidance and support to operators to help them comply better with global standards and practices. 

Licensing Requirements

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission evaluates license applicants based on stringent requirements laid down in the Gambling Act, codes of practice and other relevant laws. Operators seeking to know how to secure a gambling license in this jurisdiction must be aware of these requirements to increase their chances of securing a license. Some of the major eligibility criteria include: 

• Being registered as a legal business either in the UK or any other jurisdiction.
• Documents verifying the identity of the applicant and all the key persons associated with the gambling operation.
• Financial statements that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to carry on with the business after the license is issued, with detailed profit and loss projections. 
• Documents demonstrating the qualification, expertise, experience, and history of key persons relevant to the application. 
• Business plan and policy documents to ensure that the applicant understands and incorporates the necessary legislation, licensing objectives, and social responsibility requirements into their operation. 

Application and Timelines

It takes about 4 months (16 weeks) to process and obtain a UK license. The exact duration depends on the license type you’re applying for and the complexity of the application. Submitting all the required information accurately at the point of application will also increase the chances of a successful application. 

During the application, the UK Gambling Commission will review all the submitted identity and policy documents as well as the financial documents and other information about key people. Extensive investigation will be carried out based on the provided information and a decision will be made on the application. 

UK Gaming License Application Process Step-by-Step

As an operator trying to figure out how to start an online gambling website or any other gambling business, you need to follow the stipulated process diligently. Here’s a step-by-step guide explaining each phase of the application process. 

Register a Business 

The first step is to register a gambling business either in the UK or any other jurisdiction. The UKGC issues licenses to operators even if they do not establish a physical presence in the country as long as they’re registered elsewhere. To register as a UK business, the most common legal structure is to register as a Private Limited Company, which is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Gather Documents 

To prepare for your application, you need to gather all the required documents in line with the regulations. This includes paperwork regarding the management and structure of your gambling operation, rules of play and policy documents, banking statements, business plans, proof of funding, and so on. 

Apply

With all the required documents ready, you can proceed to pay the appropriate application fees and submit your application along with the necessary documents. You may also need to send in a Personal Management Licence application along with the main application. 

Undergo Due Diligence

The Gambling Commission will carry out a thorough investigation based on the submitted information. This phase involves identifying the ownership of the business, evaluating the finances, and investigating the integrity, criminal records, and competence of business managers. The GC may also request supplementary information at this stage of the application. 

Get the License

The final step of the application is to pay the first annual license fee applicable to the license after which the license is issued officially and the operator can begin offering services legally in the UK. 

Costs and Taxes Overview

The licensing fees for a UK license generally depend on the type of license you’re applying for and the annual gross gambling yield of your business. The application fee for a license ranges from as little as £100 to up to £91,686. 

Operators are also required to pay an annual licensing fee which depends on the operator’s annual gross gambling yield. The annual fee starts from as low as £230 but can be up to £793,729. An operator will also pay an extra of up to £125,000 for every 500 million of annual gaming yield over the £1 billion mark. 

The UK has a relatively favorable taxation system for gambling operators. Gambling businesses are liable to pay any of the three tax regimes. This includes: 

• A General Betting Duty quoted as 3-15%
• A Pool Betting Duty at 15%
• A Remote Gaming Duty at 21%

Note that the UK has international tax agreements with up to 130 jurisdictions. This helps operators registered in the UK avoid getting taxed in these jurisdictions. 

While considering the costs, it’s also vital to mention that starting from April 2025, the UK government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators. Online gambling operators and software suppliers are required to contribute 1.1% of their Gross Gambling Yield, while betting shops, land-based casinos, and other gambling sectors will contribute 0.4%. The funds collected from this levy will be used to support research, education, and treatment programs aimed at preventing gambling-related harm.

Payment Solutions and Corporate Structure

One of the requirements for obtaining a UKGC license is to open a bank account registered to your business name. This account will be used to carry out all financial transactions related to your gambling operations, including fund management, paying player winnings, payment processing, etc. This is a crucial part of the process and is essential to keep the gambling business in operation. 

The corporate structure of the business is another major factor. Generally, the Gambling Commission requires all key persons who will be involved in managing the business to have their details submitted as a part of the application. The commission will also look for evidence to demonstrate the experience and competence of these key individuals to guarantee their ability to perform their regulatory role in the business. 

Jurisdictional Restrictions

The UK Gambling Commission does not have a specific list of restricted jurisdictions that operators must adhere to. Instead, the commission expects operators to carry out their own due diligence before entering into any other jurisdiction outside the UK to ensure they’re allowed to offer gambling services legally. A UKGC license grants you access to a vast international market thanks to the high regulation and prestige associated with the license.

Remote Gambling in the UK

Remote gaming is one of the most profitable segments of the UK gaming market. This segment of the industry has been expanding rapidly in recent years. In fact, the United Kingdom is arguably leading the charge in the development of remote gambling across the world.

As an operator looking to tap into iGaming development or offer other online gaming services to players in the UK, you should know that the jurisdiction offers a remote gaming license. This permit allows operators to offer online gambling services to customers in the UK. 

Obtaining this license is a standard requirement regardless of whether your business is physically located in the UK or not. There are several types of remote licenses you can apply for depending on the specific gambling activities you wish to offer. Read our guide on how to start a casino app to learn more about the process of creating a remote gambling company.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

The United Kingdom has a robust regulatory framework which the UKGC enforces. The commission expects all operators to put measures in place to ensure compliance, prevent money laundering as well as other nefarious crimes, and safeguard customers. Some of the main legal obligations and compliance requirements for gaming operators include: 

• Licensed operators must follow all anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and responsible gambling regulations stipulated in the Gambling Act and other relevant legislation. 
• Licence holders must protect children from engaging in gambling activities and must not create or share ads in any form that target or advertise gambling to minors. 
• iGaming operators must report to relevant authorities any knowledge or suspicion of money laundering, terrorist financing, and other similar crimes. 
• Remote gambling operators must secure the data and financial information of customers on their platform using technology such as SSL encryption. 
• Operators must implement measures such as due diligence and transaction monitoring to detect and prevent gambling fraud and other financial crimes.
• Operators must ensure responsible gambling and player protection. This includes offering tools to allow players to set limits, exclude themselves, or access resources to help with problem gambling. 

Ongoing Maintenance and Compliance

A UKGC operating license is generally valid indefinitely unless the business is insolvent or the license is suspended by the UKGC. However, to maintain this licence, gaming operators still have to pay an annual renewal fee and remain compliant with their regulatory obligations at all times. 

Operators must uphold the integrity of all aspects of their licensed activities, maintain accurate records, report crucial information promptly, and offer players fair and transparent services with active measures to ensure responsible gambling. The commission also expects licence holders to adhere to all tax requirements. 

Any business that fails to comply with these obligations is at risk of being fined or having its license revoked. The UKGC may also take legal action against defaulters where necessary. 

Why Choose the UK Gaming License?

The UKGC operating licence is expensive and difficult to get. However, securing this permit does your business a whole lot of good by providing access to a huge gaming market, earning you the trust of customers, and providing access to several international jurisdictions. Do you want to find out more about other gambling licenses? Check out our articles on:

• Curacao gaming license
• Tobique gaming license
• Anjouan gaming license
• Malta gaming license
• Isle of Man gambling license
• Kahnawake gaming license
• Alderney gambling license
• Gibraltar gaming licence

Key Considerations for License Applicants

To successfully apply for and get a license issued by the UKGC, you need to create a comprehensive business plan. It must show that you understand your business objectives, regulatory requirements, and all the steps that need to be followed to achieve them.

Operators must also put measures and strategies in place to prevent fraud and money laundering. Staying updated with industry regulations and standard best practices is also an important consideration for the licence application. To learn more about the process of establishing your casino business in line with international standards, read our guide on how to start an online casino business.

Conclusion

If you’re embarking on any gambling operation that targets the UK market, you need to get a license from the Gambling Commission. The application process is thorough, but it pays off in the long run. It helps when you partner with a software development company like CrustLab that can help you meet all the technical requirements and guide you on all the regulatory requirements for your application. Contact us today to get started.