Betting, casinos & lotteries
People here want their winnings paid promptly and their money and details kept safe. A provider's track record matters when the stakes feel high.
Betting, casinos & lotteries companies
28 companies
About Betting, casinos & lotteries
Betting, casinos & lotteries covers the businesses that let people place wagers on sporting and other events, play casino games, and buy tickets for national and society lotteries across the United Kingdom. Online operators, high street bookmakers, land-based casinos, bingo venues and lottery operators all sit within this category. Many of these companies reach customers through websites, mobile apps, television advertising and sponsorship of football clubs and other sports.
The Gambling Commission is the regulator for gambling in Great Britain and issues the licences that operators must hold to offer their services. Operators must meet licence conditions covering player protection, fair games, anti-money laundering checks and the handling of customer funds.
The National Lottery is run under a separate licence from the Gambling Commission and is operated by a single licensed company. Trade bodies such as the Betting and Gaming Council represent many operators and publish codes of conduct on advertising and responsible gambling.
Questions about Betting, casinos & lotteries
Is a betting company licensed in the UK?
Any operator offering gambling to UK consumers must hold a licence from the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005. You can check a licence on the Gambling Commission public register, which lists the operator's licence number and permitted activities.
What should I compare when choosing a casino or betting site?
Compare the licence holder, the payment methods accepted, the withdrawal times and any fees charged on deposits or withdrawals. Check the terms on bonuses, including wagering requirements and time limits, as these determine how easily a bonus can be cashed out.
Can I sign up for a gambling account if I am under 18?
No, it is a criminal offence for an operator to allow anyone under 18 to gamble in the UK. Operators must verify age and identity before an account can be used for real-money play.
How do I close my gambling account?
Most operators provide a close account option in the account settings or through customer support, and you can request closure by email or live chat. Before closing, withdraw any remaining balance, as closing an account matters less than settling funds, so check the terms for how unused balances are returned.
Can I self-exclude from a betting or casino site?
Yes, you can ask an operator to block your account for a set period or permanently, and operators must honour the request. Under the Gambling Commission rules, you can also register with GamStop to exclude yourself from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once.
What happens if I win and the operator delays my withdrawal?
Operators must process withdrawals promptly and cannot hold funds without a valid reason under the Gambling Commission licence conditions. If the delay continues, raise a formal complaint with the operator first and then escalate to an approved ADR provider if the matter is unresolved.
Where do I complain about a UK gambling company?
Start by contacting the operator's customer support and asking for its formal complaints procedure, which it must have in place. If you are not satisfied with the response after eight weeks, or the operator has deadlocked, you can refer the complaint to an approved ADR body such as the Gambling Commission-recognised providers, ADR Entity or IBAS.
Is my money protected if the gambling company goes bust?
Operators licensed by the Gambling Commission must hold customer funds in segregated accounts, which keeps them separate from the company's own money. This segregation is designed to help protect player balances if the business fails, although it does not guarantee full repayment in every case.
What are my rights when I gamble online in the UK?
Your rights are set out in the Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission's licence conditions and codes of practice, which require fair games and honest terms. You are also protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which requires that terms are fair and that services are provided with reasonable care.
Do I have to pay tax on my betting or casino winnings?
In the UK, gambling winnings are not subject to income tax or capital gains tax for the player. Operators pay a Remote Gaming Duty or General Betting Duty on their profits, so the tax burden does not fall on the individual player.
What should I look for in customer reviews of gambling companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences with deposits, withdrawals and account verification, as these reveal how the operator handles money. Give more weight to reviews that mention how complaints were resolved and whether the operator responded through its formal complaints process.
Are free bets and bonuses worth claiming?
A bonus is only worth claiming if you have read the wagering requirements, minimum odds and expiry dates in its terms and conditions. Operators must present these terms clearly, and the Advertising Standards Authority and CAP code require that promotions are not misleading.