New casino checker
The new casino checker turns what you’ve found about a casino site into a clear verdict: carry on, take care or walk away. Start with the licence on the Gambling Commission register, then test the offer, payments, slot stakes and safer gambling tools against UK rules. One failed licence check outweighs everything else, however polished the site looks.
By the Latest Casinos team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Check the Gambling Commission register first: the licence must be Active and list the exact domain.
- Wagering above 10x, credit cards or slot stakes above £5 mean a site isn’t following UK rules.
- A not on GAMSTOP label means unlicensed in Britain: walk away.
- Licensed but new? Start small and check withdrawal terms before you deposit.
The checker
Carry on to the next check OK
Licence confirmed. Now read the offer's significant terms.
Then: Next: wagering 10x or less?
Every finding
| If you find | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The operator is on the Gambling Commission register | Carry on to the next check | Licence confirmed. Now read the offer's significant terms. |
| I cannot find it on the register | Walk away | No UK licence means no UK protections. |
| It says 'not on GAMSTOP' | Walk away | That is an unlicensed site aimed at people who have self-excluded. |
| The bonus has wagering above 10x | Walk away | Above the legal maximum: out of date or unlicensed. |
| It accepts credit cards | Walk away | Credit cards have been banned for gambling since 2020. |
| Slots allow stakes above £5 | Walk away | Above the legal stake limit. |
| It is a new brand from an operator I know | A good sign | The licence and systems have a track record. |
| It is licensed but has few reviews | Start small | Licensed, with little track record yet. |
The full eight checks
| Check | Good sign | Bad sign |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | The operator is on the Gambling Commission public register | No licence, or one from elsewhere only |
| Operator | A named company with other brands or a track record | No company named |
| Wagering | 10x or less | Anything higher |
| Payments | Debit cards, PayPal; no credit cards | Credit cards or crypto only |
| Stake limits | £5 slot maximum | Higher slot stakes |
| Safer gambling | Deposit limits and GAMSTOP | Neither |
| Terms | Significant terms beside the offer | Hidden or vague |
| Disputes | A named dispute resolution service | None |
Elsewhere on the site: Latest casino payment rules, New casinos vs established casinos, PlayOJO: the latest and When a casino closes.
Go further: New casinos with free spins, Before and after the 10x cap and Latest Ladbrokes offer.
Keep reading: Latest offers for existing customers, How to complain about a casino, New casino bonuses UK and Glossary.
Everything here is dated. Offers and facts were last checked on 5 October 2026; this is not a live feed. Casino details come from each casino's published terms and help pages and the Gambling Commission's public register. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
How to use the new casino checker: a five-minute routine
The checker above works best when you gather the facts first. This routine collects everything it needs in about five minutes, using only the casino’s own pages and the public register. Do it before you register, because some details, such as the deposit limit prompt and marketing choices, only appear during sign-up.
- Scroll to the casino’s footer and note the company name, the Gambling Commission account number and the exact website address in your browser bar.
- Search that account number on the Gambling Commission’s register of businesses (opens in a new tab) and open the entry.
- Confirm the status reads Active, the activities include remote casino, and the domain you’re on is listed as Active.
- Open the welcome offer’s significant terms and note the wagering multiple, the minimum deposit and any excluded payment methods.
- Open the cashier or payment help page and check there’s no credit card option.
- Look at the safer gambling page: deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion and a GAMSTOP mention should all be there.
- Find the complaints page and note the name of the dispute resolution provider.
- Pick each finding in the checker and read the verdict.
If you want the longer version of each step, how to judge a new casino explains the reasoning, and reading the footer shows what a compliant footer should contain.
Checking a casino on the UKGC register: what each field tells you
The register is the single most useful source in any casino check. Each entry shows a lot more than a yes or no, and knowing what to look for helps you spot sites that borrow a real licence number.
| Field | What it shows | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account number and name | The licensed company | Matches the footer exactly | Footer number belongs to a different company |
| Licence status | Active, Expired, Suspended, Revoked or Surrendered | Active | Any status other than Active |
| Activities | What the licence permits, with dates | Remote casino listed | Only betting or bingo listed |
| Domain names | Websites declared by the business | Your exact domain marked Active | Domain missing or marked Inactive |
| Trading names | Brand names used | The casino’s brand appears | Brand not listed anywhere |
| Regulatory actions | Past penalties, warnings and conditions | None, or old and resolved | Recent or repeated actions |
Some domains are marked as white label, meaning a brand run under another company’s licence. That’s legitimate and common; the licence holder is responsible for the site. Two caveats from the Commission itself: trading and domain names are supplied by businesses, so the Commission can’t vouch for their accuracy, and the regulatory action count may not include every past settlement. Read our white label casino explainer and what a casino licence number is.
What a passing register check looks like: five established UK casinos
It helps to know what a clean result looks like before you test an unfamiliar site. The five casinos covered on this site are established brands, and their register entries show the pattern a new casino should match: a named licence holder, a published account number, an Active remote casino licence and listed domains. The dates below are when each company’s current remote casino licence became active, which isn’t always when the brand itself launched.
| Brand | Licence holder | UKGC account | Remote casino licence active since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral | LC International Limited (Entain) | 54743 | 1 July 2019 |
| Ladbrokes | LC International Limited (Entain) | 54743 | 1 July 2019 |
| PlayOJO | Skill On Net Limited | 39326 | 2014 (brand launched February 2017) |
| Casumo | Recro Limited | 61549 | 21 December 2023 |
| 10bet | Blue Star Planet Limited | 43173 | 17 December 2015 |
Two lessons come out of this table. First, one licence can cover several brands: Coral and Ladbrokes share LC International’s account, so a single register entry lists both sets of domains. That is normal, and it also means group rules can apply across brands; one person may not be able to hold new accounts at both, so check the terms. Second, a licence date can be newer than the brand. Casumo has traded in Britain for years, but its current licence holder’s remote casino licence dates from December 2023, after a change of operating company. A recent licence date therefore isn’t a red flag on its own; it’s a prompt to read the entry and see why.
Regulatory history matters too. Skill On Net agreed a £305,150 settlement with the Commission in May 2023, which is a matter of public record. Past action doesn’t make a site unsafe today, but it’s part of the picture, and the register is where you’ll find it. For each partner’s full profile, see Casumo and PlayOJO, or compare all five on the casinos page.
Is this casino legit? Three worked examples with the checker
These examples are invented to show how the verdicts combine. They describe types of site, not real brands.
Example 1: the slick site with a Curaçao licence
The footer shows a licence from outside Britain only, the welcome bonus is 200% up to £500 with 35x wagering, and the FAQ says it isn’t on GAMSTOP. Three findings each produce walk away: no register entry, wagering above the 10x cap (a £500 bonus at 35x needs £17,500 of bets, against a legal maximum of £5,000), and the GAMSTOP line. Any one would be enough. Our page on offshore casinos explains what you’d give up.
Example 2: a new brand from a known group
The footer names a company you recognise, the register shows an Active remote casino licence held since 2016, and the new domain is listed as Active. The offer is a 50% match with 10x wagering, slots stop at £5 and the deposit limit prompt appears at sign-up. Verdict: carry on, with the usual care over terms. A new brand on an established licence is one of the safer kinds of new casino; see new casino brands from established operators.
Example 3: licensed, compliant, but very little track record
The register entry is Active, but the licence was granted recently and the brand has almost no reviews. Every rule-based check passes. Verdict: start small. Deposit a modest amount, make a small withdrawal early to see how the process works, and read the funds protection statement in the terms before leaving a balance.
UK rules a new casino must follow from day one
A brand-new licensed casino doesn’t get a grace period. Every rule below applied on the day it opened, so each is a quick test of whether a site is really operating under a British licence.
| Rule | In force since | How to check on the site |
|---|---|---|
| Age and ID verified before deposit or play | 7 May 2019 | Verification during sign-up; no demo games before it |
| GAMSTOP participation | 31 March 2020 | Mentioned on the safer gambling page |
| No credit cards | 14 April 2020 | No credit card in the cashier |
| No autoplay; 2.5-second spins | 31 October 2021 | No autoplay or turbo buttons on slots |
| No reverse withdrawals | 31 October 2021 | No option to cancel a pending withdrawal |
| £5 / £2 slot stake limits | April / May 2025 | Stake selector stops at £5, or £2 for 18–24s |
| Marketing opt-in by product and channel | 1 May 2025 | Unticked boxes for casino, betting, bingo and each channel |
| Deposit limit prompt | 31 October 2025 | Limit question before the first deposit |
| 10x wagering cap; no mixed-product offers | 19 January 2026 | Wagering of 10x or less; no sports bet needed for casino spins |
For the regulation behind each line, the latest UK casino rules page has dates and sources, and the 10x wagering cap explains the newest one.
Casino red flags the eight checks can miss
The checker covers the rules that are easy to see. These signs take a little more reading, but they often separate a well-run site from a merely licensed one.
- Customer funds not protected. Every casino must state whether your balance has no, medium or high protection if it goes bust. The Commission’s page on customer funds (opens in a new tab) explains the levels. Not protected is allowed, but means your balance would be treated as a company asset. See player funds protection.
- Terms that let the casino void winnings at its discretion. The Commission fined Taichi Tech £170,000 (opens in a new tab) in July 2025 partly for a term allowing it to forfeit winnings at will. Look for vague words like sole discretion next to winnings.
- ID demanded only at withdrawal. A casino can’t make ID a condition of withdrawing if it could have asked earlier. If the terms say verification happens only at cash-out, ask why.
- Pre-ticked marketing boxes. Opt-out by default has been required since May 2025.
- Demo games open before verification. Free-to-play versions shouldn’t be available until your age is checked.
- Crypto-only payments. UK-licensed casinos offer debit cards and bank methods; crypto-only cashiers point to an offshore operator.
Our full list is on new casino red flags, and how to spot a fake casino covers copycat sites that use real brand names.
After the checker: what to do if a casino causes problems
Even a licensed casino can get things wrong. The route to fix it depends on whether the site is licensed, which is one more reason to check before you deposit.
| Situation | First step | If unresolved |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed casino, any complaint | Complain in writing using its procedure | After 8 weeks, refer to its approved ADR provider (free) |
| Licensed casino breaking a rule | Complain, with screenshots | Report to the Gambling Commission as well |
| Unlicensed casino | Contact your bank about the payment | No UK dispute service; recovery is difficult |
| Worried about your own gambling | National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133 | GAMSTOP and a bank gambling block |
The Commission’s guide to taking a complaint to an ADR provider (opens in a new tab) explains time limits: providers must accept disputes for at least 12 months after the operator’s final response. The Commission itself doesn’t resolve individual complaints. For the process step by step, see how to complain about a casino and what is IBAS.
What a new casino checker can’t tell you
A licence and compliant terms mean a casino is following the rules. They don’t tell you how quickly it pays, how helpful support is, or whether its game library suits you. Those depend on the operator, and the honest sources are its own published information: withdrawal timeframes in the help centre, support hours on the contact page, and the funds protection statement in the terms.
Nor can a checker predict results. Every casino game has a house edge, and the rules on this page are about fair treatment, not better odds. Set a budget and a deposit limit whatever the verdict. If you’d rather compare sites that have already been checked, the five UK casinos covered on this site each show their licence holder, account number and the date their offer terms were last read.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a new casino?
Start with the licence: find the company name and account number in the footer, search the Gambling Commission’s public register and confirm the licence is Active, covers remote casino and lists the exact domain you’re on. Then check the offer’s wagering (10x or less since 19 January 2026), the cashier (no credit cards), a slot’s stake menu (£5 maximum, £2 for 18–24s), the safer gambling tools and the named dispute service. If any of these fails, the checker on this page will give a walk away verdict. Our how to check a casino licence guide shows each register screen.
What if it is not on GAMSTOP?
Avoid it: a casino that says it isn’t on GAMSTOP is not licensed in Great Britain, because every GB-licensed online operator has had to take part in GAMSTOP since 31 March 2020. These sites are often marketed to people who have self-excluded, which is exactly who they shouldn’t be reaching. Without a UK licence there are no stake limits, no 10x wagering cap, no deposit limit prompt and no approved dispute service if something goes wrong. If you’re self-excluded and looking for a way round it, the National Gambling Helpline can help on 0808 8020 133. See casinos not on GAMSTOP.
Is a new brand from a known operator safe?
It’s a good sign, because the brand runs under a licence, payment systems and compliance team with a track record, but it isn’t an automatic pass. Confirm the new domain appears as Active on the operator’s register entry, since copycat sites sometimes borrow a well-known company’s name. Then run the usual checks on the offer and terms. Also note that some groups restrict customers to one account across their brands; Coral and Ladbrokes, both run by LC International Limited, are an example where one person may not be able to open new accounts at both. See casino sister sites.
What if reviews are few?
Start with a small deposit and test a small withdrawal early, before building up a balance. Few reviews isn’t a warning sign by itself; every licensed casino was new once, and the licence means it must follow the same rules as long-established sites. What you lack is evidence of how the operator handles payouts and complaints in practice. Reduce that risk by reading the withdrawal timeframes and funds protection statement, setting a low deposit limit at sign-up, and noting the ADR provider’s name in case you need it. See our first deposit checklist.
How current is this page?
The checker’s verdicts reflect UK rules as they stood on 20 October 2026, and the date the page was last checked is shown at the top. The rule-based checks, such as the 10x wagering cap from 19 January 2026 and the £5 and £2 slot stake limits from 2025, are updated when a rule changes with a confirmed date. The checker doesn’t store information about individual casinos, so it never goes out of date for a specific site; you supply the findings. For recent rule changes, see the latest UK casino rules feed.
What is the maximum wagering on a UK casino bonus?
Ten times the bonus amount, since 19 January 2026; anything higher at a UK-facing casino is either an out-of-date page or a sign the site isn’t licensed here. In the checker, wagering above 10x produces a walk away verdict. Run the maths to be sure: a £50 bonus at 10x needs £500 of bets, while the same bonus at 40x would need £2,000. The cap applies to bonus funds; also check expiry, game weighting and maximum bet rules. The Commission’s announcement of the cap (opens in a new tab) explains the change; our how wagering requirements work guide covers the rest.
What is the maximum stake on online slots?
£5 per game cycle for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24, in force since 9 April and 21 May 2025. In the checker, a slot that lets you stake more than £5 is a walk away finding, because a licensed site must apply the limit to every slot. Testing it takes seconds: open any slot and raise the stake to the top of the menu. If you see autoplay or turbo buttons at the same time, that’s further evidence the site isn’t under a British licence. See the £5 slot stake limit.
How do I check a casino is licensed?
Search the Gambling Commission’s public register by business name, trading name, domain or account number, then open the entry and check three things: the status is Active, remote casino is among the activities, and the website address you’re using is listed as an Active domain. Searching by account number is the most reliable, because brand names often differ from the licence holder’s name. A logo or licence number in the footer is a claim; the register is the record. See what does UKGC licensed mean for what the licence commits a casino to.
Can I use a credit card at a UK casino?
No. Licensed casinos in Great Britain have been barred from accepting credit cards since 14 April 2020, including credit-funded e-wallet payments, so a credit card option in the cashier is a strong sign the site isn’t licensed here. In the checker, it produces a walk away verdict. Expect to see debit cards, Pay by Bank, Apple Pay, Google Pay and e-wallets instead. A cashier offering only cryptocurrency is another sign of an offshore operator. See the credit card ban for the rule’s full scope.
Is a casino with a Malta or Gibraltar licence legal in the UK?
Only if it also holds a Gambling Commission licence. Any operator offering remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain needs a Commission licence, wherever it’s based, and many UK-facing casinos are run from Malta or Gibraltar under one. PlayOJO’s operator, for example, holds both a Malta Gaming Authority licence and UKGC account 39326. A site showing only a foreign licence isn’t licensed for British players, so UK rules and dispute services don’t apply. Always check the register. See offshore casinos explained.
How can I tell if a casino site is fake?
Compare the website address with the domains listed on the operator’s register entry; a fake site usually copies a real brand’s look and licence number but uses a different domain. Other signs include a footer licence number that leads to a different company, payment requests by bank transfer to a personal account, pressure to deposit quickly and support that only works through messaging apps. If in doubt, go to the brand through its listed domain rather than a link in an ad or message. See how to spot a fake casino.
Can I search the register by website address?
Yes, the Gambling Commission’s register lets you search by domain name as well as by business name, trading name and account number. Enter the bare domain without the http or www prefix and the register returns the business that has declared it. Then check the domain is marked Active rather than Inactive. If nothing comes back, try the account number from the footer and look through that entry’s domain list. A casino whose domain isn’t listed anywhere shouldn’t be trusted with a deposit. See the public register guide.
Are new casinos safe to deposit at?
A new casino is as safe as its licence and terms, not its age. If it holds an Active Gambling Commission licence covering the domain you’re on, it must follow the same rules as long-established brands, from stake limits and the 10x wagering cap to GAMSTOP and approved dispute resolution. The extra risk with a very new operator is limited history on payouts and complaints, so start with a small deposit, set a deposit limit and read the funds protection statement. See are online casinos safe in the UK.
What does a white label casino mean on the register?
A white label casino is a brand run under another company’s licence, usually a platform provider that supplies the games, payments and compliance. On the register, its domain appears under the licence holder’s entry and may be marked as white label. That arrangement is legal and common, and the licence holder is responsible for the site meeting every UK rule. For you, the important step is to check which company appears in the terms, since that’s who you contract with and complain to. Read what is a white label casino.
Related pages
Sources
- Register of gambling businesses (opens in a new tab)
- Taking your complaint to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider (opens in a new tab)
- Taichi Tech Limited fined £170,000 for unfair terms and conditions (opens in a new tab)
- Information on customer funds (your money) (opens in a new tab)
- Do I need a licence? (opens in a new tab)
- Gambling promotions to be safer and simpler (opens in a new tab)