Legality of all forms of gambling

The UK regulates gambling under the "allowed but under strict rules" model. The basis is set by the Gambling Act 2005: it enshrines three regulatory goals (combating crime, fair play and protecting children/vulnerable persons) and establishes the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as the central regulator of the UK market (England, Scotland, Wales). Below - what is legal and on what conditions, taking into account the reforms of 2014 and 2023-2025.

Territory of the law

Gambling Act 2005 extends to Great Britain - England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate, older mode (Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985 with subsequent changes), without its own "gambling commission"; part of the 2014 rules on advertising remote gambling also affects Northern Ireland. Therefore, further, speaking of "Great Britain," we mean GB, not the whole UK.

What's legal in the UK (GB)

1) Casinos (land)

Allowed with UKGC licenses (operating) and a local authority license for the premises (premises license). Local authorities operate within the objectives of the Gambling Act 2005 and the LCCP code; The UKGC monitors compliance, carries out inspections and applies sanctions if necessary.

Supporting principles: checking the honesty of games and software, payment requirements and KYC/AML, safer gambling measures (limits, self-exclusion, age control).

2) Sports betting and betting

Both offline and online are allowed. Ground points require a UKGC operating licence and local authority premises licence. For online betting - UKGC remote license.

Key reform 2014: the principle of "at the point of consumption" - any company that accepts bets from or advertises for British customers is required to have a UK UKGC license, regardless of offshore jurisdiction. Advertising unlicensed remote gambling is prohibited.

3) Lotteries

The National Lottery is separately regulated and available from the age of 18. The age threshold was raised to 18 in 2021.

Other lotteries (societies/local authorities) are legal only in categories directly permitted by the 2005 law; all other lotteries are considered illegal.

4) Online casino and remote gambling

Allowed with UKGC remote license. Both remote services and "gambling software" are regulated, including cases of placing equipment in the cloud/in Britain.

New restrictions 2024-2025: following the reform of the "digital age," the government introduced rate ceilings in online slots - £5 per spin for 25 + and £2 for 18-24 years old (phased implementation from 2024/25).

Advertising and sponsorship

The 2005 Act allows gambling advertising provided the product is legal and the advertising does not undermine licensing purposes (ASA control/CAP/BCAP Codes). After the 2014 reform, advertising remote services without a British license is an offense. Control loops are detailed in the UKGC Licensing Authority Manual.

Age thresholds

Most forms of gambling are from the age of 18, including the National Lottery (from 2021).

Age checks and youth protection measures in the online sector are being further strengthened (including a £2 per spin limit for 18-24-year-olds in online slots).

How it works in practice (for business and players)

• Need the appropriate UKGC license (remote/non-remote); for land-based facilities also premieses licences with the local authority. Compliance with LCCP (customer protection, KYC/AML, software integrity), technical standards for remote games (RTS), reporting and readiness for inspections.

• It is legal and safer to play with licensed UKGC operators; the public register is available on the regulator's website. Complaints and violations can be escalated through UKGC mechanisms/ombudsman initiatives, and advertising and product design are subject to "safer gambling" rules.

How Northern Ireland is different

Northern Ireland still has separate, more conservative legislation from 1985 (with 2022 changes); there is no separate regulator of UKGC type. This means that the rules for the terrestrial sector, advertising permits and some practices are different from GB, although aspects of remote advertising under the 2014 act also affect NI. Local norms should be checked before launching a product/campaign or participating in a game.

Summary on the legality of forms of gambling (GB, 2025)

Casinos (land): legal under UKGC operating license and premises with premises license; strict LCCP/RG/AML requirements.

Bets (offline and online): legal; for offline - operating + premises license, for online - remote license UKGC. Advertising without a UK licence is prohibited.

Lotteries: National Lottery - by separate mode, 18 +; others - only in categories permitted by law (society/local authority, etc.).

Online casinos/slots: legal under remote license; technical standards and online slot betting limits apply (£5/£ 2).

In the UK (GB), all major forms of gambling are legal - subject to a UK licence, compliance with LCCP/RTS and local permits for land venues. The 2014 reform "tied" online to the principle of "at the place of consumption," and the 2023-2025 package strengthened "safer gambling" (including limits on online slots). Northern Ireland has a separate, non-GB regime, so it is always important to clarify which jurisdiction a particular activity or advert falls under.