Gambling in the UK: What Games the British Play & Gaming Laws

Half of the adult population in the United Kingdom participates in gambling at least once a month. Lotteries hold the greatest esteem amongst the British, followed by sports betting, and then land-based casinos.

All forms of gambling are subject to licensing, and the Gambling Commission of the United Kingdom acts as the sole regulator. The market is heavily regulated for both operators and their clients, but this hasn't hindered the UK from ranking third in market size, trailing only the United States and Japan. According to H2 Gambling Capital's 2023 data, the British gambling industry is valued at $17.4 billion.

Gambling is permitted from the age of 18 and winnings are not subject to taxation. The largest prize ever awarded in the history of the UK was £195 million, paid out by the National Lottery. Discover more details about gambling in the UK on our website.

Historical Background: The Origins of British Gambling

The history of gambling in the UK can be traced back to 1190 when Richard the Lionheart enacted a law that allowed the affluent to gamble, spending up to 20 shillings a day. In 1509, Henry VIII banned all forms of gambling. A few decades later, his daughter launched the first lottery.

The first horse races took place in Chester in 1539. England was the first to publish a set of rules for horse racing and establish the Jockey Club, along with globally renowned racetracks like Cheltenham, Newmarket, and Ascot.

The first lottery was organised with royal backing in 1569. Of the more than 400,000 tickets issued, only 30,000 were winning tickets. The aim was to raise £100,000 needed for the repair and expansion of British ports. Elizabeth I even took special measures, temporarily exempting criminals from punishment so they could purchase lottery tickets. Many citizens were sceptical of the event, and in the end, just over 30,000 tickets were sold. This was the first and last lottery during Elizabeth I’s reign. The English State Lottery was founded in 1694 and lasted for 132 years.

Casinos in the UK emerged in the 19th century. The first establishments operated in the format of gentlemen's clubs and had a limited number of participants. The first such establishment was founded by William Crockford in London in 1823, hence the name – Crockfords.

Regulation, Licences, and Legislation

In 1846, British authorities enacted a law prohibiting gambling. The ban was partially lifted in 1963, but a subsequent surge in criminal activity led to the formulation of a new act in 1968, which strictly regulated the gambling industry.

The question of legalisation was revisited in 2001, following a report by Alan Budd. Two years later, the Gambling Bill was introduced, laying the foundation for the current market. The law took effect in 2005 and was extended to cover online gambling in 2014. In 2023, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) plans to review its regulations to make the laws safer for players.

Founded in 2007, the UK Gambling Commission is a non-departmental public body funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The UKGC oversees all forms of gambling, except for spread betting, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Financial Conduct Authority. Online casinos are considered legal within the UK if they operate under licences from the following jurisdictions: EEA countries, Gibraltar, Alderney, Isle of Man, Antigua and Barbuda, and Tasmania.

Playing in an illegal casino, whether online or offline, could result in a fine of up to £1,000 for the player. Gambling is permitted in the UK from the age of 18, although lotteries and Category D 'fruit machines' are accessible from age 16, and tote betting at racecourses is permitted from age 12.

Land-based Casinos

The UK is home to around 150 land-based casinos, with the majority situated in London. Two well-known chains dominate the landscape: Grosvenor Casinos, with over 50 establishments, and Genting Casinos, with more than 30. Players are required to carry ID. Below is a table featuring some of the popular casinos:

Popular Casinos in the UK

UK casinos feature Category B, C, and D slot machines, each with different maximum bet and prize limits. Category B machines allow a maximum bet of £2 and a top prize of £500. For Category C, the maximum bet is £1, and the top prize is £100. Category D machines have the lowest limits: 10-20 pence bets and up to £10 in prizes.

Online Casinos in the UK

The UK is home to major online casino software developers like Microgaming, Blueprint, and Playtech. Microgaming launched the world's first online casino in 1994 and continues to set jackpot records.

The largest win was €19.4 million and occurred in 2021 in the game Absolootly Mad: Mega Moolah. This slot is a sequel to Mega Moolah—the first in the series, which has awarded the largest number of big jackpots.

In the UK there are over 1,000+ online casinos that are legal and licensed by the UKGC. Notable online casinos include 888casino, Mr Green, and 32red:

• 888casino. Operational since 1997. Since September 2005, the company's shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Offers 2000+ games: slots, table games, live dealers. Minimum deposit – £10. Among payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, Paypal, Apple Pay, Neteller and others. There is a three-tier loyalty program. From 2019 to 2022, 888casino was named the best operator of the year according to EGR. Withdrawals take up to 24 hours.
• Mr Green. The casino was founded 10 years after 888casino by three Swedes. Holds multiple licenses, including one from the UKGC. The assortment consists of 700+ games from NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Push Gaming, Betsoft, Big Time Gaming, and other well-known providers. Upon registration, the player sets a risk limit. New clients are offered a bonus of 20 free spins. The casino has several awards from SBC, GGA, and IGA. In 2019, Mr Green was acquired by William Hill.
• 32red. The platform has been in operation since 2002. It holds licenses from the United Kingdom and Gibraltar, and is a member of the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association. The online casino's collection includes 2000+ games: slots, table games, live dealers, quick games, lotteries. The minimum amount for deposits and withdrawals is £10. Withdrawal takes up to 12 hours. New users are offered a bonus of 150% on their first deposit."

According to UKGC data for 2020-2021, online casinos are popular among 10% of the population. According to analysts, the online gambling market grows by 12% annually.

According to reports from the UK Gambling Commission for 2022, the most popular online casino games among players from the United Kingdom are:

• Slots – 34%,
• Virtual sports – 15%,
• Roulette – 12%,
• Sports betting – 11%,
• Poker – 5%,
• Blackjack – 4%,
• Bingo – 3%,
• Baccarat, keno, and other games – 16%.

By some estimates, 37% of English people play online casinos at least once a week. According to the British regulator's report, 34% of them prefer slots.

According to UKGC statistics for 2021-2022, the most popular online slots in the United Kingdom are:

• Starburst (NetEnt),
• Rainbow Riches (Barcrest),
• Fluffy Favourites (Eyecon),
• Cleopatra (IGT),
• Bonanza (Big Time Gaming).

Annually, major themed conferences are held in the British capital, which are also attended by representatives of online gambling: ICE Totally Gaming, WrB London, SBC Awards, and others. It is there that Mr Green and 888casino received their awards.

IDiscover the biggest UK slot halls where you can play slot machines and electronic roulette games.

Bookmakers in the United Kingdom

The largest operators of betting services in the United Kingdom are Bet365, William Hill, and Betfred. The first operates exclusively online, while the other two combine digital and land-based operations. Bet365 sold its network of land-based betting shops back in 2005.

The aforementioned online casinos, 888casino, 32red, and Mr Green, also offer sports betting. 32red originally specialized in betting, and Mr Green customers were able to place sports bets after it was acquired by industry giant William Hill.

Let's look at the leaders of the UK betting market:

• Bet365. An international platform launched in 2001. The interface is translated into 20 languages, and betting is available in 19 currencies. The bookmaker offers bets on 25+ sports disciplines, a cashout feature, and a mobile app that allows live streaming. According to the Financial Times in 2019, the bookmaker is ranked second globally in terms of revenue.
• William Hill. The bookmaker accounts for about 25% of the market. Named after its founder, William Hill, its shares are included in the FTSE 100 index of the London Stock Exchange. Founded in 1934, customers have access to 40+ types of sports. Top football matches have odds for 1200+ markets. In the UK, there are 2300+ betting shops.
• Betfred. Operational since 1967, the founders still head the company. Launched its online version in 2004. Operates 1650+ offline betting shops. The popular football matches have odds for 200-300 markets. Minimum bet – £0.01, maximum payout – £500,000. Betfred owns the country's main tote – The Tote.

The record for the largest win was set in 2015. A Premier League fan won £1.7 million by betting only 50 pence on his favorite team, Leicester City, to win the English Championship. His bet was accepted when Leicester's odds of winning were 5000:1.

According to UKGC data for 2021-2022, most bets in the UK, both online and offline, are placed on the following sports:

• Football. Accounts for 70% of all bets. The most popular tournaments for betting are the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and the World Cup;
• Horse Racing. Accounts for 12% of bets. The most popular races are Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, Grand National, and Epsom Derby;
• Tennis. Makes up 5% of bets. Most bets are on Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and other Grand Slam tournaments;
• Greyhound Racing and Boxing. Greyhound racing accounts for 3%, and professional boxing matches make up 2%.

Football has been the unequivocal leader in betting popularity among British players since the 1860s when the Football Association of England was founded.

London has the most offline bookmakers, around 800-1000 betting shops, including William Hill, Ladbrokes, Betfred, and international brands like 1xBet, Pinnacle, and others. Manchester has 150-200 betting shops featuring Bet365, Betfred, Sky Bet, and other major companies. Liverpool and Birmingham each have about 100 establishments, while Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Glasgow have between 30 and 80. The minimum bet amount usually starts at £1.

Safe Online Gambling: KYC, AML, Responsible Gaming

The UK Gambling Commission requires that licensed online gambling operators adhere to the principles of responsible gaming. This allows players to self-exclude for periods of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years, and also to set limits on deposits, wagers, and playing time. These restrictions can be put in place via the user dashboard. For Britons who are problem gamblers, there is a helpline with free consultation services provided by organisations such as BeGambleAware and GamCare. Online casino operators support the idea of responsible gaming by contributing 0.1% of their Gross Gaming Yield (GGY) to such organisations.

As part of their Know Your Customer (KYC) policy, online casinos verify the details provided by players during registration, and then request a document to prove their identity and residential address. Registration is also required to access demo versions of games. Under anti-money laundering (AML) policies, the operator has the right to request the source of funds from the customer for large transactions. The law prohibits account top-ups using credit cards. Casinos and betting shops offering gameplay and payouts in cryptocurrency are not eligible for a UKGC licence.

Bingo and Lotteries

The United Kingdom is home to more than 640 bingo halls. The largest chains include Gala, Mecca, Castle, Buzz, and Merkur. London alone has around 45 establishments, Manchester has about 10, and cities like Liverpool, Glasgow, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Cardiff have up to 5 each.

The largest bingo hall in the UK, belonging to the Gala Bingo chain, is located in London and can accommodate up to 2,000 people. Gala Bingo operates around 130 venues across the country and is considered a market leader. One of the oldest is Castle Bingo in Cardiff, which has been in operation since 1856. The cost to play starts at £5, with jackpots reaching up to £20,000. Each major bingo chain in the UK has an official website that allows for online play. Unlike the United States, where 75-ball bingo is popular, Britons prefer the 90-ball version of the game. Aside from specialised venues, bingo is also popular in cafes and bars.

The largest win in the history of British bingo exceeded £5.8 million. The record was set in 2008 at a Mecca Bingo hall in Liverpool. The lucky winner was a 41-year-old cleaner from Lancashire. That evening, the prize pool was around £1.2 million. However, according to the game's rules, if a win occurs before a specific number of calls, the jackpot doubles. The woman won on the 37th call out of 48. This was the first jackpot in British bingo history to exceed £5 million. The winner's life changed dramatically—she purchased a new home and car, started a business, and travelled extensively.

The largest lottery operator is the UK National Lottery, founded by Prime Minister John Major in 1994. The game is available online and at official sales points across the country. The majority of National Lottery outlets are concentrated in London, with around 1,500 locations. Birmingham has over 300, Manchester has over 250, and other large cities have between 100 and 150.

Popular lottery variants include EuroMillions, Thunderball, and Lotto. Jackpots for EuroMillions can exceed £100 million. It's no surprise that the absolute UK record was set in EuroMillions in 2022. The winning ticket matched all seven numbers, earning the player a payout of £195 million. With that amount of money, one could potentially purchase the professional English football club Southampton.