Finding Out Why Some Casino Sites Are Blacklisted

by James Gibson, 25 October 2025

In the UK, the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) regulates the gambling industry and actively promotes safe, responsible gambling. One of the many things the organisation does is encourage people to stay away from sites that can’t be trusted for one reason or another.

One of the reasons why casinos get blacklisted is the lack of licence. © tomekwalecki, Pixabay

What Blacklisting Means

So what does it actually mean when an online casino is blacklisted? It’s essentially when a casino is found to be dodgy or fraudulent and players are urged to stay clear of it.

Every online casino that’s based in the UK needs to obtain a licence from the UK Gambling Commission in order to operate. If a casino site operates without a licence, it can face getting shut down.

There can also be punishments for the operator, such as fines or even a prison sentence. All the top online casinos that are UK-based are licensed and can therefore be trusted.

To obtain a licence, a site and its operator need to pass a series of stringent checks. To keep a licence, the site and operator must maintain minimum standards and ensure its customers aren’t developing gambling problems.

As for casino sites based in other countries, the UKGC should license them, but not all of them are. The ones that aren’t licensed pose the biggest risk because they haven’t passed the UKGC’s checks.

There’s a good chance that unlicensed sites are harmful in some way or other. They could be scams or problems that members face.

It’s not illegal for UK citizens to access online casinos based in other countries. However, it’s strongly recommended that you only join a site that’s fully licensed by the UKGC.

When a casino is blacklisted, the UKGC and other sites (i.e. third-party reviewers and promoters) advise people not to sign up. This is because the site and/or its operator has acted improperly.

Reasons for Getting Blacklisted

There are many reasons why casino sites can get blacklisted. We’ll run through five of the main ones below. Our list is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of the unfavourable things sites and operators do.

Not Having a UKGC Licence

When an offshore casino site that doesn’t have a UKGC licence tries to attract UK players, there’s a high chance it will end up getting blacklisted. Some offshore sites do have a licence, but they are not from the UKGC.

For example, you may come across some online casinos that only have a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority. This is very much a reputable organisation, though it’s still recommended you only join casinos licensed by the UKGC.

Many blacklisted online casinos have been blacklisted purely because they don’t have a licence. Some have been put on the ban list because they’ve had a licence but have had it revoked due to not meeting the licensing requirements.

Failing to Pay Winnings

It goes without saying that when you win, you should be able to get hold of your winnings in good time. At every casino site, there are two stages to withdrawing your money.

The first is where the casino processes your withdrawal, which can take anything from a few days to less than an hour. The second is where your money is sent to your account via your chosen payment method.

The time the second stage takes depends on your payment method. E-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill have the fastest withdrawal speeds in just a few hours.

If your withdrawal is still listed as pending long after the processing time has passed, there’s a chance that something dodgy is going on. Another problem is when you never receive your money at all.

At dodgy sites, there can even be issues with contacting customer support when trying to find out why your withdrawal is taking longer than expected. Obtaining your winnings can be hard when the casino is based in another country.

Unfair Games

Online casino games favour the casino, but they still pay out cash prizes to players. Each game has an average long-term payout rate, or the RTP, a percentage. Most games are in the 90s.

Some blacklisted casinos have rigged games that are designed to keep more money than they should or even all of it. Games that have been rigged can look like genuine releases from top providers.

RTPs can be easily falsified. A casino could advertise a payout rate as being 96% when in fact it’s much lower or even 0%. Legitimate sites have their games tested by companies such as eCOGRA.

They have a certificate to show that the testing company is satisfied that the casino’s games are from trusted providers and aren’t rigged. Only join a casino if you’re sure its games can be trusted.

False and Improper Advertising

Online casinos have to be completely upfront about the services they offer. These include everything from the games people play to the bonuses people claim. The terms and conditions need to be explained in full and be easy to understand.

Some unreliable online casinos breach advertising standards by exaggerating what they have to offer. They may even go against some of the UKGC’s rules, one of which is using actors who look under 25.

Another common thing dodgy sites do is they advertise something as being free when it’s not. Essentially, they try to persuade people to sign up, overpromising things and underdelivering on their promises.

A Lack of Responsible Gambling Resources

Online gambling can become a problem and lead to issues such as debt, addiction and poor mental and physical health. Reputable casino sites have a section on responsible gambling that is easily accessible to everyone.

It’s usually a page or a mini site that explains how to gamble sensibly and offers links to gambling addiction charities. It also lists the tools the site offers, such as deposit, wager and win limits and self-exclusion.

Casinos want to make money, but they don’t want people to develop serious problems. If there’s no responsible gambling section, this is a sign the casino simply doesn’t care about its players’ well-being.

When there’s nothing to do with responsible gambling, you can tell the site is not to be trusted. Promoting safe, sensible gambling practices is a key requirement of UKGC licence holders.

Stay Clear of Untrustworthy Online Casinos

If you’re going to gamble online, it goes without saying that you should avoid online casinos that aren’t licensed by the UKGC. A licence is a sign that a casino has passed outside checks and can be trusted.

When you visit a casino site, scroll to the bottom of any page. Some text should explain where the site has obtained its licence(s) or a logo from one or more regulatory authorities.

If there’s no evidence of a UKGC licence anywhere, it’s best not to sign up. You should instead join one of the many sites licensed by the UKGC that can be relied on.

Another thing to point out is that there can be issues even at licensed casinos. Before joining any casino site, doing a quick online search for some reviews and player feedback is a good idea.

You should find that most of the comments are positive. That is great. If they’re mostly negative, this could be a sign that the casino is doing something that may cause it to get blacklisted in the near future.

To best protect yourself, choose online casinos that meet the following requirements: they’re licensed by the UKGC and they have mostly positive reviews. Do this and you should be in very safe hands.