Online Gaming & Betting Licence
Remote (online) gambling is a core and rapidly evolving part of the betting and gaming sector. Operators offering gambling via websites, mobile applications or other electronic means face heightened regulatory scrutiny, complex technical requirements and increased expectations around consumer protection and risk management.
We advise remote gambling operators, suppliers and investors on navigating the regulatory, commercial and compliance challenges associated with online betting and gaming in Great Britain and internationally.
What is remote gambling?
Under the Gambling Act 2005, remote gambling refers to gambling that is conducted by means of remote communication, including the internet, mobile devices, telephone, television or other electronic platforms, where players participate at a distance.
Remote gambling includes:
- Online betting (sports betting, pool betting and betting exchanges)
- Online casino and gaming products, including slots
- Remote bingo
- Online lottery products
- Mobile and app based gambling platforms.
The classification of activities as remote is critical, as it determines licensing requirements and regulatory obligations.
Licensing and regulatory framework
Remote gambling offered to customers in Great Britain requires a Gambling Commission remote operating licence, regardless of where the operator is physically based.
Remote operators must comply with:
- The Gambling Act 2005
- The Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)
- Gambling Commission remote technical and software standards (RTS)
- Advertising and consumer protection legislation
- Data protection and financial crime regulations.
The Gambling Commission places particular emphasis on remote operators’ ability to manage risk effectively in an online environment.
Key compliance obligations for remote operators
Remote gambling operators are subject to enhanced regulatory expectations, particularly in relation to:
- Safer gambling and harm prevention, including customer interaction and monitoring
- Anti money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing controls
- Affordability and source of funds checks
- Advertising, marketing promotions and affiliate oversight
- Data protection and cybersecurity
- Systems integrity, resilience and record keeping.
Failures in these areas are among the most common triggers for regulatory investigations and enforcement action.
Technology and systems integrity
Technology underpins all remote gambling activity. The Gambling Commission expects operators to maintain secure, resilient and compliant systems.
We advise on:
- Platform and software compliance with regulatory standards
- Hosting, cloud and third party technology arrangements
- System security, resilience and incident response
- Outsourcing and supplier risk management
- Demonstrating Technical compliance in licence applications.
Ensuring that technology arrangements align with regulatory expectations is critical to maintaining licence integrity.
International and cross border considerations
Many remote gambling operators serve customers across multiple jurisdictions, raising complex licensing and regulatory issues.
We advise on:
- Cross border licensing exposure and market access
- Interaction between GB requirements and overseas regimes
- Structuring international operations and platforms
- Managing regulatory risk across multiple jurisdictions.
Where appropriate, we work closely with trusted overseas advisers to deliver coordinated, jurisdiction specific advice.
Regulatory investigations and enforcement
Remote operators are frequently subject to regulatory engagement, including compliance assessments, licence reviews and enforcement action.
We advise clients on:
- Responding to Gambling Commission investigations
- Managing licence reviews and regulatory scrutiny
- Regulatory settlements, fines and remediation programmes
- Protecting licences and managing reputational risk.
Early, strategic engagement is often critical in limiting regulatory exposure.
Activities that may sit outside remote gambling
Not all online or digital products fall within the definition of remote gambling, even where they involve prizes, randomisation or game style mechanics.
Businesses are often unsure whether a product requires a remote gambling licence, particularly where it shares characteristics with gambling but is structured to fall outside the regulatory framework.
Examples can include prize competitions based on skill, free to play games with no route to monetised participation (such as video games), or consumer promotions where entry is genuinely free.
We regularly advise clients on categorising products correctly and assessing whether gambling regulation applies, helping businesses identify the appropriate regulatory treatment before launch or expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online betting and gaming are tightly regulated, with strict rules around licences, compliance, and senior approvals. Here are answers to some common questions:Yes, no matter how you host your remote gambling, you’ll need the appropriate licence from the Gambling Commission.
If your app hosts any form of gambling, you’ll need a licence to legally operate it.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell's online and betting solicitors?
We have:
- Extensive experience advising remote and online gambling businesses
- Integrated expertise across regulation, technology, data and disputes
- Practical, risk aware advice grounded in regulatory reality
- Support for UK based and international online operators.
We help remote gambling businesses operate confidently in a demanding regulatory environment.
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