A casino in Great Britain is a licensed land-based gambling venue where visitors can play casino games such as roulette, blackjack, poker, gaming machines, electronic table games and jackpot games. A physical casino operates as a premises-based business, with entry control, age checks, gaming areas, responsible gambling procedures and venue rules.
Casino operators in Great Britain need the relevant operating licence from the Gambling Commission. A physical casino also needs a premises licence from the local licensing authority. In England and Wales this is usually the local council; in Scotland, casino premises licensing is handled by licensing boards.
Land-based casinos in Great Britain include venues operated by groups such as Genting Casinos, Grosvenor Casinos, Metropolitan Gaming and other licensed casino operators. The exact casino offer differs by venue: some casinos focus on slots and table games, while larger venues may also have poker rooms, tournaments, restaurants, bars, events and membership rewards. Entry to casino premises is restricted to adults aged 18 years or older.
Difference between a casino and a gaming centre in Great Britain
A land-based casino and an adult gaming centre are not the same type of gambling venue in Great Britain. A casino is built around casino gaming, including live table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, as well as poker, gaming machines, electronic table games, bars, restaurants and venue-based services.
An adult gaming centre, often called an AGC or arcade, is mainly a gaming-machine venue. It is focused on slot-style machines and other permitted machine categories rather than live dealer table games or a full casino floor. Adult gaming centres are for visitors aged 18 or older, but they do not offer the same mix of table games, poker rooms and casino services as licensed casino premises.
This means that a casino visit and a gaming-centre visit are different experiences older, but they do not offer the same mix of table games, poker rooms and casino services as licensed casino premises.
This means that a casino visit and a gaming-centre visit are different experiences. A casino is usually a broader gambling and hospitality venue with live gaming areas, while a gaming centre is more machine-focusedand closer to an adult arcade format. For visitors, the main difference is the type of games available: casinos can offer live table games and poker, while gaming centres are centred on gaming machines.
Frequently asked questions about casinos in Great Britain
Casinos in Great Britain need the correct operating licence from the Gambling Commission. A physical casino venue also needs a premises licence from the relevant local licensing authority.
Yes. Land-based casinos in Great Britain operate under gambling licensing rules. The Gambling Commission licenses gambling operators, while local licensing authorities handle casino premises licences.
A casino is a licensed venue with casino games such as roulette, blackjack, poker, gaming machines and electronic table games. A gaming centre is usually more machine-focused and does not offer the same full casino floor with live table games and poker rooms.
Yes. A Great Britain online casino is a separate remote gambling offer where casino games are played through a website, mobile device, app or another digital service.
The online offer is separate from the physical casino visit. A casino brand may operate both land-based venues and online gaming, but registration, games and account conditions for online play are handled through the separate digital offer.
The minimum age for entering a casino in Great Britain is 18 years. Casino operators use age checks and entry controls to prevent underage access.
The exact offer depends on the venue. Common casino games include roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, slots, gaming machines, electronic table games and jackpot games.
