A casino footer that says "licensed by the UK Gambling Commission" is a claim. The Commission's public register is where you check it. The register is free, public and takes about two minutes to use. Here is how to read it, and what each field tells you about the site you're about to deposit at.
On this page8 sections
Step 1: find the account number
Licensed operators show a Gambling Commission account number, usually in the site footer or in the terms and conditions. Note it. Search the register by that number rather than the brand name. Many brands share one operator, and brand names can be similar on purpose.
If there is no account number anywhere on the site, that alone is a reason for caution.
Step 2: search the register for the business
Open the register of businesses on the Commission's website and search by account number or company name. The result page shows the legal name of the business, the account number and the licences it holds.
Step 3: read the status
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Active | The licence is in force. |
| Pending | An application is being considered. The business is not yet licensed for that activity. |
| Expired | The licence has ended. |
| Lapsed | The licence ended because of a change, for example the licensee ceasing to exist. |
| Surrendered | The licensee gave the licence up. |
| Revoked | The Commission withdrew the licence. |
Only Active means the business can offer gambling to people in Great Britain under that licence. Lapsed and revoked licences stay visible on the register for six months, so a search result alone isn't enough. Read the status.
Step 4: match the trading name and domain
The register lists the trading names a licensee uses and the domain names of its websites. Check that the brand and the exact web address you're using appear on the operator's record. A site that copies a licensed brand's name, but sits on a domain not listed under that licensee, is not covered by the licence.
Also look at the licence type. Online casino games, betting and bingo are separate activities. A remote casino licence covers casino games. Bingo needs a bingo licence.
What the register doesn't tell you
- How good the site is. A licence is a minimum standard, not a rating. Compare offers, payment speed and terms in our new UK casinos and bonus guides.
- Past regulatory action in full. The Commission publishes enforcement actions separately. A business with an Active licence may still have paid a penalty in the past.
- Whether a specific bonus is fair. Bonus rules are set out in the terms. Since 19 January 2026 wagering is capped at 10 times, as covered in the new bonus rules.
Why it is worth the two minutes
Licensed sites must follow UK rules that protect you directly: the slot stake limits, the 24-hour wait on raising deposit limits, the credit card ban and access to an independent dispute route. An unlicensed site offers none of these, whatever its footer says.
Key points
- Search the register by account number, not brand name.
- Only an Active status means the licence is in force.
- Check that the brand and exact domain appear on the licensee's record.
- Lapsed and revoked licences remain listed for six months. Read the status, not just the name.
Sources
- Gambling Commission, Public register: businesses.