Licensed Bookmakers

In order for an online bookmaker or a casino to be considered legal, it has to have a valid licence. You can use the following ranking to get familiar with all licensed bookmakers in your country:

Rating: 5.0/5
License
UK, Bulgaria, Gibraltar
New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. +18 | Terms & Conditions time limits & exclusions apply. #Advertisement
Rating: 4.9/5
License
UK, Malta and other
New customers only. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Terms apply 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
UK Gambling Commission
#ad • +18 Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at £500, excluding Jackpot wins • You must wager Bonus amount x40 – this requirement varies by game Full T&Cs apply | begamblingaware | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.7/5
License
UK, Gibraltar, Bulgaria
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Pace 1 sport bet (3+ selections) } Excl Horse Racing| Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min odds 1/5 (1.5) for each selection | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.9/5
License
UK, Gibraltar
New customers using Promo Code P30 only, min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15 (30 days expiry), free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
License
Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission
New customers only. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. Real money bets required for Karamba battle. Participants subject to timeout. £1000 Winner cash prize guaranteed. 18+ | | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
License
UK, Gibraltar
18+. UK Customers (Excluding NI) only. Cash stakes only. Min £10 stake required for initial £5 free bet. Min odds ½. Max £25 in free bets. Subsequent free bets equal 50% average of each 3 £5 max qualifying bets. 13 settled bets required to receive full £25 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed on sportsbook within 30 days of opening account. Cashed out bets will not qualify towards your average stake. One free bet offer per customer, household or IP address only. Free bet expires after 7 days. Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
UK
NEW Significant terms: T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
License
UK & Gibraltar
*New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Register before 17:59 8/04/20022 and after 18.00 9/04/2022. Win part of the E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. 18+ T&Cs Apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
License
UK, Gibraltar
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
Gibraltar, Great Britain
New Customers only. Deposit, opt in and place a £5 qualifying bet at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of opening a new account; excludes cashed out bets. Receive 2x £10 Free Sports Bets, valid on set events only at odds 2.00 or greater, expires in 7 days.  Plus a £10 Game Show Bonus, selected games, wager 40x to withdraw a max of £250. PayPal and Card Payments only. Geographical Restrictions and T&Cs Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
License
Malta, UK
New Players Only. Free bet is a one-time stake of €/$/£10, minimum odds of 1.5, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: €/$/£20. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
License
United Kingdom
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £/€10. Qualifying real money bet of £/€10. Min. odds greater than or equal to 1.50 required. Each way bets excluded. Offer credited within 48 hours. Additional T&Cs apply. | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
UK, Greece, Isle Of Man
18+ | UK new customers only | KYC verified | Min £10 bet | Max £20 free bet (2 x £10) full amount awarded on losing first bet only | Min odds 7/10 (1.70) | Free bet stake not returned | Certain Markets/sports/payment methods restrictions apply | Cashed-out and Bet Builder bets are excluded from this offer | Qualifying bet must be made within 30 days | Free bet valid for 30 days | T&C's apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
Britain and Gibraltar
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
Malta Gaming Authority
New customers only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
License
MGA,UK,the Republic of Ireland and Sweden
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager 8 times deposit + bonus, max qualifying bet equal to initial bonus amount; valid for 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles or 2/5 per acca leg; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; 18+ begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
United Kingdom
New customers only aged 21+. Minimum deposit £10. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of evens (2.0) or greater. Get 50% back on first day losses as a free bet up to £50 plus 10 free spins on Reel King, credited within 24 hours. Free Bet and Spins expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
License
Great Britain, Gibraltar
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Certain deposits and bet types excl. Min £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x /€5 free bets. Free bets valid available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Rrestrictions + T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
License
Malta, UK
New Players Only. Minimum stake €/£/$10, minimum odds 1.5, stake not refunded. 10X wagering the winning from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Maximum conversion: €/£/$20. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
Malta, UK, Curacao
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £10, minimum odds of 1.50, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: £20. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.7/5
License
UKGC
18+ Opt in, bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, 7 days expiry. Valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Please gamble responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
United Kingdom, Malta
New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not Eligible. T&Cs Apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
Malta, UK
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £30, minimum odds of 2, stake is not returned, maximum Conversion £30, 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Valid for 5 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
License
UK, Malta
New customers only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus toket with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not eligible. Real money bets required. First bet required to opt into next tournament. T&Cs apply. 18+. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
U.K. Gambling Commission
Deposit at least £10 to claim £20 free bet credit. Winnings from free bet credit paid into cash balance, minus the free bet credit amount. Match condition for the first three Bet Request received. Any losses from first three Bet Requests covered by free bet credit up to a maximum of £20 in total. | 18+T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk |
Rating: 4.5/5
License
UK Gambling Commissions
Sign-up today with bonus code MB20. Place your first bet at odds of 1.8 or more, and if it loses, we will refund your stake as a single free bet. Once your first bet has settled, you will receive 20 free spins on Starburst.. 18+ T&C apply |begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
License
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £5 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly

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How important is the license for a given bookmaker?

A betting licence is a guarantee that an operator is regulated, and their products are monitored by gambling authorities. It is possible for a bookmaker to have a licence from more than one country as they fall under different jurisdictions.

When a bookmaker gets a licence, they are free to operate and offer all of their services and games online legally. Operators become legit and can now accept customers. The licence may be issued by various institutions and bodies. For example, some countries have something called the National Gambling Commission that issues licences to different bookmakers and monitors their activity.

Unlike legal betting sites, bookies without a licence in a given jurisdiction won’t be able to operate. There are exceptions, of course. However, punters need to bear in mind that if an issue arises between them and an operator without a licence, no authority will be able to help them resolve it.

All online bookmakers need a licence in order to stay in the gambling business. Some of them have only one licence, whereas others have valid documents from different countries.


Who grants the bookmakers licences around the world?

Each country has its own licensing commission that is responsible for issuing a licence and monitoring the activity of the bookmakers. Usually, bookies that have a permit from a given commission can be found on the commissions’ websites.

In order for a company to obtain a licence, it has to fulfil certain conditions. In most cases, it has to file an application, provide the necessary documents, and pay the needed fees. Once the bookmaker gets its licence, apart from promoting its services in the given country, it can also sponsor teams and events.

There are many gambling commissions around the world. However, the most notable ones are based in Europe:

  • United Kingdom Gambling Commission
  • Malta Gambling Authority
  • Gibraltar Gaming Commission
  • Swedish Gambling Authority
  • Curacao Gambling Commission

In addition to these, there are other countries that also regulate gambling activities and issue licences, including Germany, Estonia, Spain, Italy, France, Finland, and more.


Why should we choose licensed bookmakers?

It is definitely not advisable to play on online betting and gaming websites that don’t have any licence whatsoever. This means that there is no authority to regulate and monitor their products. All top bookmakers need to be in possession of at least one valid license. It’s even better if it is issued from a renowned commission.

The big plus of betting on a website that has a licence from the country you’re in is that you can always ask the commission for help if there are any problems. This is great because you will have someone to raise a complaint to if the bookie violates some of the terms and conditions that you agreed to upon registering.

At the end of the day, avoid betting on websites that have no licence because this may jeoperdise your betting sessions.


FAQ

Which are the licensed bookmakers in my country?

You can find all bookmakers that are licensed from Gambling Commissions on our website.

What happens if I start betting on a website that has no licence?

We do not recommend you using these websites. Many of them are on our bookmaker’s blacklist because a lack of a licence means a lack of regulation.

Can I wager on a website that has a licence from a different country?

Yes, but in order for this to happen, the website has to allow players from your country to play there. Decide for yourself if the risk of playing on such a site is worth taking.