Understanding why UKGC Casinos does not rate, review or recommend gambling operators, and the risks of affiliate websites that promote the "best" casinos.
UKGC Casinos is an informational directory only. We do not rate, rank, review or recommend any gambling operators. Our listings are derived from publicly available data from the Gambling Commission's public register.
We do not assign scores, star ratings or top rankings to gambling operators. We believe such ratings are inherently subjective and are typically influenced by commercial relationships rather than genuine player interests.
We receive no payment from gambling operators for inclusion in our directory. We do not use affiliate links and we do not profit from players signing up to gambling sites through our website.
We do not publish promotional content, bonus reviews or special offers. Our content focuses solely on regulatory information, player protection and licence verification.
Our goal is to provide factual, impartial information that helps players verify the licensing status of gambling operators. We take no position on which operators are "best".
Understanding the commercial incentives behind best casino review sites
The gambling affiliate industry generates billions of pounds annually by directing players to online casinos in exchange for commission payments. While some affiliate websites operate responsibly, many present significant risks to consumers.
The most dangerous affiliate websites actively promote unlicensed gambling
A significant number of affiliate websites promote casinos that are not licensed by the Gambling Commission to serve UK customers. These unlicensed operators are often marketed with terms designed to appeal to players seeking to avoid regulatory protections:
Promoted as offering anonymity, these sites skip identity verification required to prevent underage gambling, money laundering and problem gambling. No legitimate UKGC operator can offer "No KYC" gambling.
Similar to No KYC, these operators deliberately avoid the checks that protect vulnerable players. This is illegal for operators serving UK customers and removes all consumer protection.
Marketed specifically to players who have self-excluded via GAMSTOP. These sites actively target people who have identified themselves as having gambling problems. This is predatory and dangerous.
While cryptocurrency itself is not inherently problematic, "crypto only" casinos often operate without any gambling licence and use cryptocurrency to avoid regulatory oversight and consumer protection laws.
Casinos licensed in jurisdictions with minimal oversight (or no licence at all) cannot legally target UK customers. Players have no recourse if things go wrong, and funds are not protected.
UKGC operators must allow players to set deposit limits. Sites promoting "no limits" are explicitly marketing the absence of responsible gambling protections as a feature.
We have reviewed 20 casino affiliate websites to assess whether they promote Gambling Commission licensed operators or black market casinos targeting UK players
The table below shows the results of our review. Websites marked as Compliant only promote Gambling Commission licensed operators for UK players. Those marked as Non-compliant were found to be promoting unlicensed, offshore or black market casinos to UK consumers.
| Website | Status | Notes | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| anonymouscasino.org | Non-compliant | Promotes casinos without KYC requirements | - |
| bestbitcoincasino.io | Non-compliant | Promotes unlicensed cryptocurrency casinos | - |
| bestcasinosites.net | Compliant | Only promotes UK licensed operators | 5 December 2025 |
| casino.org | Compliant | Only promotes UK licensed operators | 5 December 2025 |
| casinoguardian.co.uk | Non-compliant | Despite .co.uk domain, promotes unlicensed casinos | - |
| casinonotblocked.com | Non-compliant | Promotes ways to circumvent gambling blocks | - |
| casinonotongamstop.com | Non-compliant | Explicitly targets self-excluded players | - |
| casinoswithoutlicense.com | Non-compliant | Promotes unlicensed offshore operators | - |
| casinowithoutverification.net | Non-compliant | Promotes casinos avoiding verification checks | - |
| cryptogambling.tv | Non-compliant | Promotes unlicensed crypto casinos | - |
| fastpayoutcasino.com | Non-compliant | Includes unlicensed operators promising instant payouts | - |
| gamblingnotongamstop.com | Non-compliant | Targets GAMSTOP self-excluded players | - |
| newcasinosonline.co | Non-compliant | Mixes licensed and unlicensed operators | - |
| nodepositkings.com | Non-compliant | Mixes licensed and offshore bonus offers | - |
| nokyccasino.com | Non-compliant | Promotes casinos avoiding identity verification | - |
| nongamstopcasinos.net | Non-compliant | Promotes non-GAMSTOP casinos to UK players | - |
| nonukcasinos.com | Non-compliant | Explicitly promotes non-UK licensed casinos | - |
| offshoresportsbooks.com | Non-compliant | Promotes offshore betting sites to UK players | - |
| slotsnotongamstop.co.uk | Non-compliant | Explicitly targets self-excluded UK players | - |
| ukgamblingsites.com | Non-compliant | Despite name, includes non-UKGC operators | - |
| unlicensedcasinos.com | Non-compliant | Openly promotes unlicensed gambling sites | - |
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly observable content at the time of review. Website content may change. Non-compliant websites are not linked as we do not wish to direct traffic to sites promoting illegal gambling to UK consumers. The inclusion of compliant websites (bestcasinosites.net, casino.org) is based on our finding that they only promote Gambling Commission licensed UK operators; this is not an endorsement or recommendation of those websites.
Red flags that indicate an affiliate website may be promoting unlicensed operators
Any website promoting casinos "not on GAMSTOP" or aimed at "bypassing GAMSTOP" is promoting unlicensed gambling specifically targeting vulnerable, self-excluded players.
Websites promoting casinos without identity verification are promoting operators that cannot legally serve UK customers, as KYC is a regulatory requirement.
Casinos licensed in Curacao (or similar minimal-oversight jurisdictions) cannot legally target UK players. Legitimate UK-facing sites must hold a Gambling Commission licence.
Offers that seem too good to be true often are. UKGC operators face strict bonus terms requirements. Offshore sites can offer misleading promotions with hidden conditions.
UKGC Casinos exists to provide factual, impartial information about gambling licensing in Great Britain. We believe players deserve access to clear information about which operators are legitimately licensed and regulated.
We will never:
Our database reflects the official Gambling Commission public register. We add value through accessibility, search functionality and educational content about gambling regulation, but we do not make subjective judgements about operator quality.
Use our search tools to verify any gambling operator's licence status. Our data is sourced from the official Gambling Commission public register.
Search OperatorsCasino ratings are inherently subjective and almost always influenced by commercial relationships. Affiliates receive higher commissions from some operators than others, creating a financial incentive to rank those operators more favourably regardless of actual player experience. We believe providing factual licensing information is more valuable than biased rankings.
UKGC Casinos is operated as an informational resource. We do not generate revenue from gambling operators or affiliate commissions. The site exists to provide public benefit by making regulatory information more accessible, not as a commercial venture.
It is not illegal for UK residents to gamble on sites not licensed by the Gambling Commission. However, it is illegal for those operators to actively target or advertise to UK customers. More importantly, gambling with unlicensed operators means you forfeit all consumer protections, access to dispute resolution, and GAMSTOP integration. We strongly advise against using unlicensed operators.
KYC (Know Your Customer) verification exists to prevent underage gambling, detect problem gambling, and comply with anti-money laundering laws. Casinos that skip KYC cannot prevent children from gambling, cannot identify customers who may be using stolen funds, and cannot implement responsible gambling interventions. These operators prioritise convenience over player safety.
Websites promoting unlicensed gambling operators to UK consumers can be reported directly to the Gambling Commission. You can also report them to your internet service provider, as many ISPs block known illegal gambling sites. If affiliate websites are using misleading advertising, you can report them to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Verify gambling operators through our database, sourced from the official Gambling Commission public register. No ratings, no rankings, just facts.
Search Now