Extended FAQ

More detailed answers to questions about UK casinos, game studios, licensing, bonuses and self-exclusion tools. Grouped by topic.

Game studios

How do I find out which studios an operator uses?

Most operators list their game providers somewhere in their lobby — often as a filter option in the games section. If that is not available, a quick search of the game library for titles you know a specific studio makes (Gonzo's Quest for NetEnt, Book of Dead for Play'n GO, Reactoonz for the same) will tell you quickly. For live casino, the table felt branding is usually visible during play — Evolution tables carry the Evolution logo.

Are Megaways games only available at certain operators?

Megaways is a mechanic licensed by Big Time Gaming to other studios. The original BTG Megaways titles — Bonanza, Extra Chilli, White Rabbit — are available at operators who carry BTG content. Blueprint Gaming has a large portfolio of Megaways titles based on UK TV properties (Fishin' Frenzy Megaways, Ted Megaways, etc.). Both BTG and Blueprint are carried by MrQ among the operators listed here, which is why MrQ scores well for this format.

Does the studio matter for live casino games?

It matters significantly. Evolution Gaming operates dedicated live studios and supplies the majority of UK-licensed operators. An Evolution live roulette table is filmed at higher quality, has more betting options and generally runs more smoothly than third-party alternatives. Pragmatic Play Live is the most credible alternative provider currently operating at scale. For most players, an Evolution-powered live casino is noticeably better than one using a less-established live provider.

UK licensing and regulation

How can I check if a casino is genuinely UKGC-licensed?

The UK Gambling Commission maintains a public register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register. You can search by operator name and see the licence status, issue date and any conditions attached. Every licensed operator is also required to display their UKGC licence number in the footer of their website — you can use that number to look them up in the register directly. If you cannot find a licence number in the footer, that is a significant warning sign.

What happens if I have a complaint about a UKGC-licensed operator that they refuse to resolve?

UK-licensed operators are required to participate in an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. After exhausting the operator's own complaints process, you can escalate to their ADR provider — the operator's website is required to name which ADR they use. The ADR can review the dispute independently. If the ADR process fails or the operator is in breach of their licence, you can report the matter to the UKGC, though the Commission does not resolve individual disputes directly — that is the ADR's role.

Are there any types of UK-licensed casino that are considered higher risk?

All UKGC-licensed operators are held to the same minimum standards, but the actual regulatory history of individual operators varies. The UKGC publishes its regulatory actions, fines and licence reviews publicly. Checking whether an operator has a history of large fines or repeated regulatory interventions is a reasonable due-diligence step, particularly for newer players. None of the operators listed on this site have current active regulatory actions against them at the time of the last review.

Bonuses and wagering

Why do no-wagering free spins matter more than the face value suggests?

A standard free-spins bonus worth £5 in expected winnings, with a 35× wagering requirement on those winnings, requires you to bet £175 before you see any real money. The house edge on each of those bets means the expected value of that playthrough is negative — most players will not complete it. MrQ's no-wagering free spins bypass this entirely: any winnings from those spins are credited directly to your real-money balance. The face value of no-wager spins tends to be smaller, but the practical value is closer to the stated amount.

How do I read a wagering requirement properly?

A wagering requirement is stated as a multiplier — typically 35× or 40×. The multiplier applies to either the bonus amount, the deposit amount, or both, depending on the operator's terms. "35× the bonus amount" on a £10 bonus means you need to place £350 in bets before the bonus converts to withdrawable cash. The game weighting also matters: slots usually contribute 100% of each bet toward the requirement, but table games often contribute 0–10%. If you plan to play table games with a bonus, the effective wagering requirement is much higher than the stated figure.

GamStop and self-exclusion

If I self-exclude at one casino, does that cover all casinos?

No — a self-exclusion placed directly with an operator covers only that operator's site and any sister brands in the same group. To exclude yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites at once, you need to register with GamStop at gamstop.co.uk. GamStop exclusions apply across the entire UK-licensed market for the period you choose. It is worth doing both: register with GamStop for broad coverage, and self-exclude directly with any specific operator you want to close immediately.

Can I reverse a GamStop exclusion if I change my mind?

Short exclusions (6 months or 1 year) cannot be reversed early — they run for the full period you set. The 5-year exclusion can be reviewed after 5 years but requires a cooling-off process. This is intentional: the point of self-exclusion is to create a meaningful barrier, not a speed bump. If you registered during a period of difficulty, the enforced wait is protective. GamCare's counsellors can help you work through what you want to do when an exclusion period ends.