The Review RoomPaying in at a UK online casino: cards, ID checks and spending checks
Three rules shape how you pay in at a GB-licensed online casino. You cannot use a credit card, which has been banned since 14 April 2020.[1] You must pass age and identity checks before you can gamble.[2] And from a date still to be confirmed, high-spending customers will face financial risk assessments, starting with net deposits above £5,000 in 24 hours.[3]
Credit cards: banned since April 2020
The Gambling Commission banned gambling on credit cards across all online and offline gambling products, with an exception only for lottery tickets bought face to face. The ban came into force on 14 April 2020.[1] Announcing it, the Commission's chief executive said there were "examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability".[1]
Debit cards are not affected. If you pay through an e-wallet or another payment service, check how that account is funded before you use it at a casino, and ask the casino if you are unsure what it accepts.
A site that takes a credit card deposit from a UK player is not following GB rules. Check it against the register using our UK casino licence check before you go further.
ID checks: before you gamble, not when you withdraw
The Commission's rule is clear: "All online gambling businesses must ask you to prove your age and identity before you gamble," and a customer "cannot place a bet until they have been verified."[2] In practice, a casino may check your details electronically when you register, or ask for documents if the electronic check fails.
Being asked for ID before you play is a sign the site is following the rules, not a hurdle. The verified age is also what sets your slot stake limit. Players aged 18 to 24 are capped at £2 a spin, as our page on the £5 and £2 slot stake limits explains.
A casino may still ask for more information later, for example to check where money comes from. Keep your account details accurate so a withdrawal is not held up by a mismatch.
Financial risk assessments for high spenders
In July 2026 the Gambling Commission decided to bring in financial risk assessments in stages.[3] They are aimed at high-spending online customers who may be in financial difficulty, and they start with the largest operators.
| Stage | Aged 25 and over | Aged 18 to 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Net deposits over £5,000 in a rolling 24 hours | Net deposits over £2,500 in a rolling 24 hours |
| Final stage | Over £1,000 in 24 hours, or £3,000 over a rolling 90 days | Over £750 in 24 hours, or £2,000 over a rolling 90 days |
The Commission said the start date for stage 1 would be confirmed in its formal consultation response.[3] We had not seen that date when we last checked, so treat any site that tells you the checks are already running at these levels with care, and check the Commission's own publications.
What we do not cover here
Which payment methods a particular casino accepts, how long its withdrawals take and whether it charges fees vary by operator and change over time. We have not tested them at any casino, so we do not list them. Ask the casino directly, and read its payment terms, before you deposit.
If you are depositing more than you planned, or chasing losses, the rules above are a backstop, not a plan. Our safer gambling guide covers deposit limits, bank gambling blocks and GAMSTOP.
Questions people ask
Can I use a credit card at a UK online casino?
No. Gambling on credit cards has been banned for GB-licensed operators since 14 April 2020. Debit cards are still accepted.[1]
Why does a UK casino ask for ID before I can play?
Because it must. All online gambling businesses have to verify your age and identity before you gamble.[2]
When do UK financial risk assessments start?
The Gambling Commission decided in July 2026 to introduce them in stages, starting at net deposits over £5,000 in 24 hours. It said the stage 1 start date would be confirmed in its formal consultation response.[3]