Why the licence comes first
Every other thing you might like about a betting site, from its odds to its app, only matters if the licence is real. The Gambling Commission licence is what gives you access to approved dispute resolution, GAMSTOP self-exclusion, promotional fairness rules, age verification and the Commission's customer interaction requirements. Without it, you are relying entirely on the goodwill of the operator.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, any business offering remote betting to people in Great Britain needs a Commission licence, wherever it is based. A site might also hold a licence from Malta, Gibraltar or the Isle of Man for other markets, but for British customers the Commission licence is the one that counts.
Using the public register
The Gambling Commission public register is free and does not require an account. Here is the process we use.
- Locate the account number. Scroll to the footer of the betting site. Licensed operators state their Commission account number there, often beside the regulator's logo, and repeat it in the terms and conditions.
- Search by number, not name. Trading names can be similar. The account number identifies one specific licensee.
- Confirm the status. The record should show the licence as active. Suspended, revoked or surrendered licences mean the operator cannot lawfully take bets from British customers.
- Check the activities. Look for remote betting activities appropriate to a sportsbook, such as general betting. A licence for gaming machines alone does not cover online sports betting.
- Match the domain. The register lists the domain names associated with each licence. The address in your browser must appear there.
Spotting clone and lookalike sites
A small number of fraudulent sites copy the branding and licence number of a genuine operator and host it on a similar web address, sometimes changing one letter or adding a word such as “bonus” or “uk”. They typically reach people through social media adverts, messaging apps or unsolicited texts promising unusually generous offers.
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Domain not on the register | The licence shown does not cover this site. |
| No age or identity check before deposit | GB licensees must verify first. |
| Credit card deposits accepted | Banned for GB gambling since April 2020. |
| Says GAMSTOP does not apply | All online GB licensees must participate. |
| Payments to personal accounts or crypto only | Licensed operators use regulated payment firms. |
| Contact only via messaging apps | No formal complaints route or ADR provider named. |
If you find a site you believe is impersonating a licensed operator, you can report it to the Commission and to the genuine operator.
Reading enforcement action
The Commission publishes regulatory action taken against licensees, including financial penalties, licence conditions and warnings. Many large and well-known operators have been fined at some point, usually for weaknesses in anti-money laundering checks or safer gambling interventions.
A past penalty is not automatically a reason to avoid a site. What is more telling is the nature of the failure, whether it recurred, and what the operator committed to change. A pattern of repeated failings in how customers at risk of harm were treated is more concerning than a one-off procedural lapse that was promptly fixed.
What a licence does not guarantee
A licence does not mean a site has competitive odds, fast payouts or generous promotions. It sets a minimum standard of protection. Use our main evaluation checklist to judge everything above that floor.
Customer funds protection
Licensed operators must tell you how your account balance is protected if the company becomes insolvent. The Commission uses three levels: not protected, medium protection and high protection. Many operators hold customer money in their general accounts, which means balances are not ring-fenced. This is permitted, but it is a good reason not to leave large sums sitting in a betting account. Withdraw winnings you do not plan to use, a habit covered in our guide to betting account payments.
Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions
The Gambling Commission's remit covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate gambling law, and some protections differ there. Customers in Northern Ireland should read an operator's terms carefully to see which rules and complaints processes apply to their account.
Frequently asked questions
Look in the footer of the website and in the terms and conditions. Licensed operators display their Gambling Commission account number, which you can then search on the Commission's public register.
No. Those licences cover other markets. Any site taking bets from customers in Great Britain must also hold a Gambling Commission licence, and that is the licence that gives you UK protections.
The Commission does not settle individual disputes. Complain to the operator first, then take the dispute to the approved alternative dispute resolution provider named in its terms. Tell the Commission if the operator refuses to follow that process.