UKGC licence number meaning

UKGC licence number meaning: an account, not a single licence

When a casino footer says "licensed by the Gambling Commission, account number 39326", that number identifies the business that holds the licence, not the website. One account can hold several licences, such as remote casino and remote bingo, and it can cover many brands and domains. That is why the term "licence number" is a little misleading: what you're really checking is the operator's account on the public register (opens in a new tab).

Every licensed operator should display its licensed status, and the Commission says the licence and account number should appear in the site or app footer. The detail you see in a footer may vary with where you're browsing from, so treat the register, not the footer, as the reliable source. Our guide on how to check a casino licence goes through each step in more detail.

How to check a UKGC licence number in five steps

1. Find the number in the casino's footer, terms and conditions or "about us" page.
2. Open the Gambling Commission's business register and search by that account number, or by the business or trading name.
3. Check the licence status reads Active, not Expired, Suspended, Revoked or Surrendered.
4. Open the domain names list and confirm the exact web address you're on appears and is marked Active.
5. Look at the regulatory actions tab for past fines or settlements.

Trading names and domains on the register are supplied by the businesses themselves, and the Commission says it can't vouch for their accuracy. A matching domain is strong evidence, but if anything looks off, contact the casino and the Commission before depositing.

UKGC licence numbers for our partner casinos

These are the register entries for the five casinos we cover, as recorded on the Commission's register.

You can open each entry directly: account 54743 for Coral and Ladbrokes (opens in a new tab), account 39326 for PlayOJO (opens in a new tab), account 61549 for Casumo (opens in a new tab) and account 43173 for 10bet (opens in a new tab). Fuller profiles sit on our Coral is-it-legit, Ladbrokes is-it-legit and PlayOJO is-it-legit pages.

Why a shared licence number matters for bonuses

When two brands share an account number, the same company runs both. Coral and Ladbrokes are the clearest example in our list: both belong to LC International Limited. For welcome offers, that can mean a person who already has an account with one brand isn't treated as a brand-new customer at the other. The offer terms decide this, so check them before opening a second account; our page on whether Coral and Ladbrokes share accounts and the sister site bonus rules go into detail.

Here's what's at stake in pounds. Coral's welcome offer is 100 spins at 10p, worth £10; Ladbrokes' is up to 500 spins at 10p over 10 days, worth up to £50. Someone assuming they can claim both, worth up to £60 of spins between them, could find one blocked under the one offer per household or new-customer wording. Reading the eligibility line first avoids a dispute later.

What each licence status on the register means

An active licence means the rules in the licensing conditions and codes of practice apply: the 10x wagering cap, clear significant terms, age and ID checks before play, GAMSTOP and access to ADR. It does not mean an offer is good value, so still run the numbers.

Sites with no UKGC licence number

A site that shows no Commission account number, or one that doesn't lead to an active entry listing its domain, should be treated as unlicensed for Great Britain. Players there have no capped wagering, no GAMSTOP, no British ADR and no duty on the site to verify age before play. Bonus terms can be anything the site chooses. Our guides to telling a licensed casino from an unlicensed one and offshore casino bonus risks explain the consequences. Players in Northern Ireland should note that Commission rules cover Great Britain only.

Related glossary terms

• Social responsibility code: the binding customer-protection rules every licence carries.
• KYC: the identity checks licensed casinos must run before you gamble.
• IBAS: one of the dispute services a licensed casino may name.
• See the full casino bonus glossary for more.

Licensed partner offers to compare

All three offers below come from operators with active Commission licences. 18+ new customers only; terms apply. Coral (account 54743): deposit and bet £10 on slots to get 100 free spins at 10p, accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings; Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't qualify. Ladbrokes (also 54743): play £10 on slots to get 50 free spins a day for 10 days, up to 500 at 10p, claimed before 23:59 each day and valid 7 days, no wagering.

PlayOJO (account 39326): 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p with a first deposit of at least £10, winnings paid in cash with no wagering, not available in Northern Ireland and not combinable with other offers. Because Coral and Ladbrokes share a licence holder, check each one's terms before signing up to both.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: set a budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.