Understanding UKGC Licences

The Gambling Commission issues operating licences to companies wishing to provide gambling services in Great Britain. Licences are categorised by delivery method (remote or non-remote) and by the specific gambling activities permitted.

An operator may hold multiple licences covering different activities. For example, a company offering both online casino games and sports betting would require separate licence authorisations for each activity.

3 Licence Categories
10+ Activity Types
- Active Licences

Remote Licences

For operators providing gambling services via the internet, telephone, television, radio or other electronic means

Remote Casino

Remote

Authorises the provision of casino games online, including slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and other games of chance.

Permitted Activities:

  • Virtual casino games
  • Live dealer games
  • Online slots
  • Random number generator games

Remote General Betting (Standard)

Remote

Authorises accepting bets on real events via remote means. Covers sports betting, esports and other event wagering.

Permitted Activities:

  • Sports betting
  • Esports betting
  • Financial spread betting
  • Virtual sports betting

Remote Bingo

Remote

Authorises the provision of bingo games played remotely over the internet or other electronic means.

Permitted Activities:

  • Online bingo games
  • Bingo chat rooms
  • Side games (with appropriate licence)

Remote Pool Betting

Remote

Authorises the operation of betting pools where stakes are aggregated and winnings shared among successful bettors.

Permitted Activities:

  • Football pools
  • Tote betting pools
  • Other pari-mutuel betting

Remote Betting Intermediary

Remote

Authorises the operation of a betting exchange where customers bet against each other rather than against the house.

Permitted Activities:

  • Betting exchange operation
  • Peer-to-peer betting
  • Commission-based wagering

Remote Lottery

Remote

Authorises the promotion and sale of lottery tickets via remote means, including online instant win games.

Permitted Activities:

  • Online lottery ticket sales
  • Instant win games
  • Scratchcard games

Non-Remote Licences

For operators providing gambling services at physical premises throughout Great Britain

Non-Remote Casino

Non-Remote

Authorises the operation of land-based casino premises offering table games and gaming machines.

Permitted Activities:

  • Table games (roulette, blackjack, poker)
  • Gaming machines
  • Poker tournaments

Non-Remote General Betting (Standard)

Non-Remote

Authorises the operation of high street betting shops accepting wagers on sporting and other events.

Permitted Activities:

  • Over-the-counter betting
  • Self-service betting terminals
  • Gaming machines (with limits)

Non-Remote Bingo

Non-Remote

Authorises the operation of bingo halls and clubs offering bingo games to customers on premises.

Permitted Activities:

  • Main stage bingo
  • Mechanised cash bingo
  • Gaming machines

Gaming Machine General

Non-Remote

Authorises the supply of gaming machines to premises such as adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres.

Permitted Activities:

  • Adult gaming centres
  • Family entertainment centres
  • Gaming machine supply

Non-Remote Pool Betting

Non-Remote

Authorises on-course pool betting operations, typically at horse and greyhound racecourses.

Permitted Activities:

  • On-course tote betting
  • Racecourse pool betting

Non-Remote General Betting (Limited)

Non-Remote

Authorises track betting at racecourses and other sporting venues where the event takes place.

Permitted Activities:

  • On-course bookmaking
  • Track-side betting

Ancillary Remote Licences

For businesses providing software, hosting or technical services to licensed gambling operators

Gambling Software

Ancillary

Required for companies that develop, supply or maintain gambling software used by licensed operators.

Covers:

  • Game development
  • Platform provision
  • Random number generators
  • Betting engines

Host Facilities

Ancillary

Required for businesses providing hosting services, data centres or network infrastructure to gambling operators.

Covers:

  • Server hosting
  • Data centre services
  • Network provision
  • Cloud infrastructure

External Lottery Manager

Ancillary

Required for companies that manage lotteries on behalf of non-commercial societies.

Covers:

  • Lottery management
  • Ticket sales administration
  • Prize distribution

Ancillary Remote (Combined)

Ancillary

A combined licence covering multiple ancillary activities for businesses providing comprehensive B2B gambling services.

Covers:

  • Multiple ancillary activities
  • Combined B2B services
  • Full-service platforms

Permitted Gambling Activities

A summary of the gambling activities that may be authorised under UKGC operating licences

Activity Description Available As
Casino Games of chance including slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker Remote, Non-Remote
General Betting (Standard) Fixed-odds betting on sporting events, elections and other real-world outcomes Remote, Non-Remote
General Betting (Limited) On-course and track-side betting at sporting venues Non-Remote
Pool Betting Pari-mutuel betting where stakes are pooled and shared among winners Remote, Non-Remote
Bingo Bingo games where players mark numbers called at random Remote, Non-Remote
Betting Intermediary Facilitating betting between customers (betting exchanges) Remote
Gaming Machine General Supply and operation of gaming machines at permitted premises Non-Remote
Gaming Machine Technical Manufacture, supply and maintenance of gaming machines Non-Remote
Lottery Operating or promoting lotteries, including instant win games Remote, Non-Remote
Gambling Software Development and supply of gambling software to operators Ancillary Remote