Europe · GB
The Gambling Commission licenses gambling for consumers in Great Britain; the FCA authorises payment, e-money and investment firms and registers cryptoasset firms.
At a glance
Overview
The UK is one of the largest regulated markets for online gambling and financial services. Businesses offering gambling to consumers in Great Britain require a licence from the Gambling Commission regardless of where they are based.
The Financial Conduct Authority authorises payment and e-money institutions and investment firms and registers cryptoasset businesses for AML purposes, with a broader cryptoasset regime being introduced. Since Brexit, UK authorisation does not provide EU passporting rights, and vice versa; for groups serving both markets, we plan UK and EU licensing and structure together.
Authorities
Regimes
Required to offer gambling to consumers in Great Britain.
Sectors: Gaming
FCA authorisation for e-money and payment services.
Sectors: Payments
FCA permissions for brokerage, dealing and related activities.
Sectors: Investment
AML registration for cryptoasset businesses, alongside the developing authorisation regime.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Across jurisdictions
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
Support
Insights
Analysis
As operators add licences, group structures often grow by accretion. A few principles, built in early, give a gaming group a structure that regulators, banks and investors can follow as it scales.
6 min read
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.
