Investors who set up a gambling company in the UK follow the steps required to register a company with the local authorities, followed by the mandatory application for a gambling license in the UK. Casinos, online gambling websites, and other establishments involved in operating gambling businesses must apply for, obtain, and maintain a valid license. Our team can help you open a company in the UK and apply for the proper licenses, such as: UK casino license, gaming license, online gambling license etc.
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Steps required to set up a gambling company in the UK
To set up a gaming company in the UK or a gambling firm, investors follow the general steps for company creation. Setting up this kind of business also includes a mandatory phase for obtaining a gambling license in the UK or an online gambling license in the UK, on a case-by-case basis.
We list the most important steps required to set up a company in the UK below:
- Choose the business form: most often this is the private limited company;
- Decide on the company’s particulars: these are the registered address (which must be based in the UK) and the shareholding structure, along with the director(s) and secretary (if using);
- Prepare the documents: these include the Articles of Association and the Memorandum, among others;
- Register the company: all new companies are registered with the Companies House.
Our team can help you set up a company in the UK and will also assist, upon request, with the application for the casino license in the UK for those investors interested in opening this type of establishment.
The gambling/ gaming license in the UK
There are three types of licenses for those who set up a gaming company in the UK: non-remote, remote and ancillary.
The following are subject to a gaming licence in the UK:
- betting shops and on-course;
- bingos;
- casinos;
- gaming machines;
- arcades;
- lotteries and external lottery managers.
Those who will operate as gambling software providers must also apply for and obtain a proper license for their UK activities.
If you want to set up a gambling company in the UK that will be involved in low-level gambling, our team can give you details on how to proceed. Moreover, our lawyer in England can provide in-depth information about the laws that govern gambling in the UK.
Understanding the main requirements for the gaming license in the UK is a key part of the process if you want to operate a gambling business. Our lawyers list the main requirements for applicants below:
- For most gambling operating licenses, the application documents include a comprehensive list of documents. The only business form exempted from submitting certain documents (such as the audited accounts and annual returns) is the sole trader;
- All those who apply for a casino license in the UK or another gambling license, including the online gambling license in the UK, must provide a business plan;
- The application is submitted to the UK Gambling Commission;
- All applicants must pay an annual fee. The first annual fee is paid within 30 days after receiving the gambling license in the UK.
Estimated costs for a UK gambling license
In terms of the gambling license cost in the UK, applicants should consider that the fee is calculated according to the type or types of activities. For example, a fee for a non-remote licence for a gaming machine (category A1, technical, full ancillary) can amount to £1,506 for the total operating license cost. Our team has included a simple calculation, only for the license stated above:
- Total operating license cost: £1,506;
- Total application fee: £1,506 (payable on application);
- First year discount: -£782.50.
Please note that the gambling license cost in the UK is calculated according to the type of number of licensed activities, as many gambling operators can offer more than one type of entertainment (such as betting and gaming machines).
Contact our lawyer in London, who can assist you with company creation in the UK and with the mandatory application for a gambling license.
