Online gambling has long been strictly regulated in the UK. As a result, many established casinos operate legally and are licensed. Alongside this regulated market, there is also a large unregulated British language gambling market, where mrbeastburger.io non-GamStop site comparisons operate alongside international casinos and gambling sites licensed in other jurisdictions. In this market, British players often seek a loophole to bypass the strict regulations imposed by the UK Gambling Commission on games, bonuses, and payment methods. We’ll tell you more about British casinos and explain whether we consider British online casinos a good choice.
Online Gambling Laws & Regulations in the UK
The UK has strict laws and regulations regarding online gambling. Not every online casino is allowed to offer its services to British players. The main regulator is the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This agency issues licenses to online casinos that can legally offer their services to players in the UK. Besides the UK, this license also applies to players from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Casinos with a UKGC license must meet strict requirements. These requirements primarily relate to game fairness, data protection, and responsible gambling. The best British gambling sites easily meet these requirements.
Many non GamStop casinos with a Gibraltar license, issued by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (GGC), focus on the British market. Since Brexit, enforcement for these casinos has become stricter. Online casinos with only a Gibraltar license are not allowed to accept British players. They also need a valid UKGC license to operate in the British market. Many casinos in Gibraltar hold this license because the United Kingdom, including the UK, is a key market for these casinos.
In a nutshell, the following licenses are relevant for online casinos in the UK:
UKGC: Licensed in the United Kingdom, casinos with this license can legally operate in the UK, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Gibraltar: Casinos based in Gibraltar often also hold a UKGC license, allowing British players to gamble there.
UKGC
A British casino is therefore licensed by the UKGC. The key features of a UKGC license are as follows:
For casinos offering games in the United Kingdom, including the UK
Issued by the UK Gambling Commission;
Very strict rules to protect players;
Mandatory tools for responsible gambling, such as limits and self-exclusion;
Regular checks for fair results and fair gaming software;
Strict requirements for money laundering prevention (AML legislation);
High fines and sanctions for violations of the rules.
Gibraltar
British players also often gamble at casinos based in Gibraltar. These aren’t typical British gambling sites, but they are still active in the British market. These casinos have the following characteristics:
Licensed by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner;
Popular license at major international online casinos;
Casinos are often active in multiple countries;
Simple and clear regulations for gambling companies;
Combined with a UKGC license also active in The UK;
Gibraltar is attractive for companies as a legal and tax location.
Other Online Casinos for British Players
In addition to the regulated gambling market, there are also online casinos without a UKGC license where British players can gamble. The British government considers this the unregulated gambling market. These casinos are licensed in Kahnawake, Malta, or Curaçao, for example, and accept British gamblers.
In 2025, the UKGC conducted research into the number of players who gamble at an unlicensed online casino in the United Kingdom. This research found that approximately 9% had gambled at an illegal gambling site. Approximately 5% had gambled at an illegal gambling site, or a gambling site without a license in The UK, in the past 12 months.
What Are the Most Popular UK Gambling Sites?
We’ve listed the top 5 most popular UK gambling sites for you. All these non GamStop casinos are licensed to operate legally in the UK. Please note that the most popular gambling sites are not necessarily the best UK gambling sites.
- Bet365: This is the largest and most used gambling site for sports betting and casino games.
- Sky Bet & Sky Casino: This British online casino is also very popular in The UK, especially for sports betting.
- 888 Casino & 888sport: A well-known all-around gambling platform. UK players can enjoy casino games, sports betting, and poker.
- William Hill: A classic British brand with many sports betting options and a very strong online casino.
- Coral: This provider is also strong in sports betting. There are also many casino games to play.
