As of now, a UK gambling licence can cost from £40 for a small society lottery registration to several thousand pounds for a commercial gambling business.
An entry-level remote casino licence currently costs £4,224 to apply for, plus an annual fee of £4,199.
From 1 October 2026, these fees rise to £8,185 and £7,000 respectively. Personal licences, premises licences and compliance costs may also apply.
What Determines the Cost of a Gambling Licence?
There is no fixed price for a gambling licence in Great Britain. The amount depends on:
- The gambling activities being offered
- Whether the business operates online or from physical premises
- Expected annual gross gambling yield
- The number of licensed activities
- Whether key employees need personal licences
- Whether a local authority premises licence is required
Gross gambling yield, usually shortened to GGY, is broadly the money received from gambling after deducting prizes or winnings paid to customers. It is not simply the total value of bets placed.
Anyone starting a business in the UK should identify the exact licensing route before paying for software, premises or marketing.
Which Gambling Licences Might a Business Need?
A commercial gambling business may need more than one licence.
| Licence type | What it covers | Issuing authority |
| Operating licence | Running gambling activities or supplying gambling software | Gambling Commission |
| Personal Management Licence | People responsible for important management functions | Gambling Commission |
| Personal Functional Licence | Certain operational employees, such as casino dealers | Gambling Commission |
| Premises licence | Using a physical location for gambling | Local licensing authority |
| Lottery registration | Certain small society lotteries | Local council |
An online operator will normally need a remote operating licence. A betting shop, bingo hall, casino or adult gaming centre may need both an operating licence and a premises licence.
The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in Great Britain, covering England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland operates under a different licensing framework.
How Much Are Gambling Commission Operating Licence Fees in 2026?
The following table shows the lowest fee category for several common operating licences. Higher-revenue businesses pay substantially more.
| Gambling activity | Application fee until 30 September 2026 | Annual fee until 30 September 2026 | Application fee from 1 October 2026 | Annual fee from 1 October 2026 |
| Remote casino | £4,224 | £4,199 | £8,185 | £7,000 |
| Remote bingo | £4,224 | £4,199 | £8,185 | £7,000 |
| Remote real-event betting | £4,693 | £5,282 | £6,535 | £5,937 |
| Remote gambling software | £9,138 | £5,809 | £7,212 | £7,394 |
| Non-remote bingo | £1,406 | £1,520 | £1,392 | £1,200 |
| Remote limited betting | £854 | £2,266 | £1,068 | £2,832 |
These are entry-band figures, not universal prices. Large operators can pay application and annual fees running into hundreds of thousands of pounds or more.
The fee category thresholds also change on 1 October 2026. For example, the lowest remote casino and remote bingo category currently applies to annual GGY below £550,000. From October, the lowest category applies to annual GGY below £250,000.
Businesses applying around the changeover date should confirm which fee schedule will apply before submitting payment.
How Much Does a Gambling Licence Cost in the First Year?
The application fee is only the first payment. The first annual operating fee is normally due within 30 days of the licence being granted and is usually reduced by 25%.
Based on the lowest fee categories, indicative first-year Gambling Commission costs are:
| Licence activity | First-year cost under current fees | First-year cost from 1 October 2026 |
| Remote casino | Approximately £7,373 | Approximately £13,435 |
| Remote bingo | Approximately £7,373 | Approximately £13,435 |
| Remote real-event betting | Approximately £8,655 | Approximately £10,988 |
| Remote gambling software | Approximately £13,495 | Approximately £12,758 |
| Non-remote bingo | Approximately £2,546 | Approximately £2,292 |
These estimates combine the application fee with 75% of the relevant annual fee. They exclude personal licences, council fees, legal advice, technology, testing and other setup expenses.
How Much Does a Personal Gambling Licence Cost?
People occupying specified management or operational positions may need their own personal licences.
| Personal licence | Fee until 30 September 2026 | Fee from 1 October 2026 |
| Personal Management Licence | £370 | £463 |
| Personal Functional Licence | £185 | £231 |
| Five-year PML maintenance | £370 | £463 |
| Five-year PFL maintenance | £145 | £181 |
A Personal Management Licence may be required for people responsible for areas such as:
- Overall business strategy
- Gambling operations
- Financial planning and control
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing and commercial development
- Gambling-related IT and security
- Anti-money laundering controls
Some small-scale operators may use an alternative approval arrangement, but they must meet the relevant conditions. A business should not assume that being a startup automatically removes the personal licensing requirements.
How Much Is a Gambling Premises Licence?
A physical casino, bingo hall, betting shop, adult gaming centre or family entertainment centre may also need a premises licence from its local licensing authority.
Councils in England and Wales can set their own fees up to statutory limits. Common maximum amounts include:
| Premises type | Maximum application fee | Maximum annual fee |
| Bingo premises | £3,500 | £1,000 |
| Adult gaming centre | £2,000 | £1,000 |
| Family entertainment centre | £2,000 | £750 |
| Betting premises, excluding tracks | £3,000 | £600 |
| Betting track | £2,500 | £1,000 |
| Small casino | £8,000 | £5,000 |
| Large casino | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Regional casino | £15,000 | £15,000 |
The actual amount may be below the maximum, depending on the council. Scotland uses centrally determined premises fees.
A premises licence does not replace the Gambling Commission operating licence. The business generally needs the appropriate operating approval before it can complete a premises licence application.
Are Combined Gambling Licences More Expensive?
A company offering several gambling products may need multiple licensed activities. Combined remote casino, bingo and virtual-event betting licences attract additional charges.
Until 30 September 2026:
- Combining two qualifying activities adds £1,680 to the application and £5,000 to the annual fee.
- Combining all three adds £3,360 to the application and £10,000 to the annual fee.
From 1 October 2026:
- Combining two qualifying activities adds £2,100 to the application and £6,250 to the annual fee.
- Combining all three adds £4,200 to the application and £12,500 to the annual fee.
The total should therefore be calculated from the exact activities offered rather than using the price of only the main licence.
How Much Does a Small Society Lottery Licence Cost?
A qualifying small society lottery does not normally need a Gambling Commission operating licence. Instead, the society registers with its local council.
The standard cost is:
- £40 for the initial registration
- £20 for each annual renewal after the first year
This route is intended for qualifying non-commercial societies. It is not a low-cost way for an ordinary commercial business to operate a public lottery. Lotteries that exceed the relevant limits or use an external lottery manager may require Gambling Commission operating licences.
Free draws and prize competitions can sometimes operate without a gambling licence, but they must be structured correctly. A poorly designed competition could legally be treated as an unlawful lottery.
What Other Costs Should a Gambling Business Budget For?
The official licence fee may represent only a small part of the overall startup budget.
Legal and Regulatory Advice
Applicants may need assistance selecting the correct licence activities, reviewing ownership arrangements and preparing terms and conditions. An experienced business solicitor for startups can also help identify contractual and regulatory risks.
Compliance Policies
Operating licence applications normally require detailed policies covering areas such as:
- Anti-money laundering
- Customer identity and age verification
- Safer gambling
- Customer complaints
- Data protection
- Marketing and promotions
- Financial controls
- Security and risk management
Technology and Testing
Remote operators may need game testing, technical security assessments, payment processing, identity-verification tools, fraud monitoring and secure customer-account systems.
Statutory Gambling Levy
Licensed operators may also pay the statutory gambling levy. The rate depends on the licensed activity and can range from 0.1% to 1.1% of the relevant gambling revenue.
Professional Services
Accountants, compliance specialists and auditors may be needed throughout the year. Reviewing typical limited company accountancy costs can help create a more realistic operating budget.
Banking and Insurance
Gambling is considered a higher-risk industry by many financial providers. Businesses should investigate payment services and small business bank accounts before launching.
Suitable small business insurance cover may also be required for employees, premises, cyber risks and public liability.
How Long Does a Gambling Licence Application Take?
A complete operating licence application currently has an indicative processing time of around 16 weeks. Complicated applications can take longer, particularly where there are concerns about funding, ownership, suitability or missing documents.
Personal licence applications normally take up to eight weeks when there are no complications.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- A detailed business plan
- Ownership and management structure diagrams
- Evidence showing the source of funding
- Bank statements and financial projections
- Customer terms and game rules
- Compliance policies and procedures
- Technical information for remote operations
- Information about shareholders and controllers
- Personal licence or individual declaration documents
The Commission will assess whether the applicant is suitable and capable of meeting the licensing objectives. Paying the application fee does not guarantee approval.
How Can a Business Prepare an Accurate Licensing Budget?
A gambling startup should complete the following calculations before applying:
- Identify every gambling activity the business intends to offer.
- Decide whether each activity is remote, non-remote or ancillary.
- Estimate GGY or the relevant sales figure for the first year.
- Select the correct fee category for each activity.
- Calculate the application and first annual fees.
- Add combined-activity charges where applicable.
- Count the number of personal licences required.
- Obtain the local premises fee if operating from a venue.
- Budget for technology, professional advice and compliance.
- Include the statutory levy and ongoing annual costs.
Founders who have not yet established their legal entity can review the process of registering a new company. Once trading begins, accurate bookkeeping for small businesses will be important for regulatory returns, tax and fee-category reviews.
Can a Gambling Licence Fee Be Reduced?
The Gambling Commission does not offer a general startup discount. However, a business can avoid unnecessary costs by applying only for the activities it genuinely needs.
Selecting the wrong activity, underestimating GGY or changing the operating model after submission can create additional fees and delays. It is usually more economical to finalise the business model and compliance structure before applying.
A cheaper licence should never be selected simply to reduce costs if it does not legally cover the planned activity.
Conclusion
The cost of a gambling licence in Great Britain ranges from £40 for a qualifying small society lottery registration to hundreds of thousands of pounds for major commercial operators.
For a startup online casino, the lowest Gambling Commission fees currently produce an indicative first-year licensing cost of about £7,373. From 1 October 2026, that figure rises to approximately £13,435 before personal licences and compliance expenses.
The safest approach is to identify every required activity, calculate fees using realistic financial projections and include premises, personnel, technology and regulatory costs in the overall business plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much is an Online Casino Licence in the UK?
Until 30 September 2026, the lowest remote casino application fee is £4,224 and the standard annual fee is £4,199. From 1 October 2026, the lowest-band fees become £8,185 for the application and £7,000 annually. Personal licences, technology and compliance costs are additional.
How Much Does It Cost to Licence a Betting Shop?
A betting shop may need a non-remote operating licence and a council premises licence. In England and Wales, the maximum council application fee for ordinary betting premises is £3,000, with a maximum annual premises fee of £600. Operating and personal licence fees must be added separately.
Does a Gambling Licence Last Forever?
An operating licence does not normally have a fixed expiry date, but the operator must pay annual fees and continue meeting regulatory requirements. Personal licences also continue unless surrendered, suspended, revoked or otherwise ended, although maintenance is required every five years.
Can an Unsuccessful Applicant Get the Licence Fee Back?
Application fees should be treated as a non-recoverable cost. Personal licence fees are expressly non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn. Applicants should confirm all requirements before submitting and paying.
Does an Overseas Gambling Company Need a British Licence?
A company based outside Great Britain generally needs a Gambling Commission licence if it provides remote gambling to customers in Great Britain. Operating from another jurisdiction does not automatically remove British licensing obligations.
Can a Business Run a Raffle Without a Gambling Licence?
Certain small society lotteries can operate through council registration, while some incidental lotteries, private lotteries, free draws and genuine prize competitions may not require a full operating licence. Each arrangement must satisfy its own legal conditions.
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