Who regulates live blackjack in Great Britain
The Gambling Commission (UKGC) licenses and regulates live blackjack offered to people in Great Britain, under the Gambling Act 2005. Advertising is handled by the ASA, and consumer law by the CMA. This is the position as of 13 November 2026, and it does not cover Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands.
Who does what
| Body | What it covers for a live table |
|---|---|
| Gambling Commission (UKGC) | Operating licences, the public register, licence conditions (LCCP) and technical standards (RTS) |
| ASA and CAP | Advertising, including adverts for casinos; the CAP Code sets the rules |
| CMA | Consumer protection law; since April 2025 it can fine firms directly, up to 10% of global turnover |
| Gamstop | The national self-exclusion scheme that licensed remote operators must join (SR 3.5.5) |
The table is a summary, not legal advice.
The licence rule
Checked 13 November 2026. Under the Gambling Act 2005 (sections 33 and 36), a business that provides remote gambling used in Great Britain needs a Gambling Commission operating licence. The activity for online casino games is Casino Remote.
Read the Casino Remote licence page for what the register shows.
Where the rules stop
Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands are outside the Gambling Act 2005. Different rules apply, and we have not reviewed them. Read the page for readers in Northern Ireland.
Advertising to people in Great Britain for an unlicensed operator is an offence under section 330. That is why we do not link to such sites.
What you can do
- Check the casino in the register.
- Report a site that is not licensed using the report steps.
- Read how adverts for "best" claims are judged.
How we checked this
We read the Gambling Commission's description of the register and the licence requirement, and the section titles of the Gambling Act 2005 on legislation.gov.uk. We have not read every Act text beyond sections 33, 36 and 330.
What changed
13 November 2026: first published. Nothing has changed since.
Quick answers
- Who licenses online live blackjack in Great Britain?
The Gambling Commission (UKGC). An operator needs a licence with the Casino Remote activity to offer casino games to people in Great Britain.
- Which law sets the licence requirement?
The Gambling Act 2005. Sections 33 and 36 are the ones we rely on for the licence requirement for remote gambling used in Great Britain.
- Who deals with misleading casino adverts?
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which applies the CAP Code.
- Does the Gambling Act 2005 cover Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands are outside it. See the page for readers there.