Running a gambling or betting business in Great Britain means holding the right licences from the Gambling Commission, meeting ongoing social-responsibility and anti-money-laundering duties, paying gambling duties to HMRC, and — if you operate physical premises — obtaining a premises licence from the local licensing authority. On top of that, every business that employs people must meet workplace health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection obligations.

The Gambling Act 2005 applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate gambling regime under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, regulated by local councils — this guide does not cover it.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA)

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - primary UK workplace health and safety legislation establishing employer and employee duties. Pure data reference.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA 1974) is the primary legislation governing workplace health and safety in the United Kingdom. It establishes the legal framework for protecting the health, safety and welfare of people at work and those affected by work activities.

Legal status: Primary legislation - principal UK health and safety statute
Royal Assent: 31 July 1974
Came into force: 1 April 1975 (in stages)
Geographic scope: Great Britain (separate legislation applies in Northern Ireland)
Applies to: All employers, employees, self-employed persons, and those who control work premises
Primary duty (Section 2): Employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees
Duty to non-employees (Section 3): Employers must protect persons not in their employment (contractors, visitors, public) who may be affected by work activities
Employee duties (Sections 7-8): Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, cooperate with employers, and not misuse safety equipment
Enforcement authority: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities
Maximum penalties (post-2008 amendments): Unlimited fines in Crown Court; imprisonment up to 2 years for individuals; up to 6 months and/or £20,000 fine in Magistrates' Court
Referenced by regulators: Cited in 31 regulatory documents in the ORDS (Office for Regulatory Delivery and Simplification) dataset
Secondary regulations: Enables creation of health and safety regulations (e.g. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, COSHH, Manual Handling)

Reasonably practicable: The Act uses the term "so far as is reasonably practicable" throughout. This means employers must balance the level of risk against the time, trouble and cost of controlling it. However, the law is weighted in favour of health and safety - employers must demonstrate that control measures would be grossly disproportionate to the risk before they can be considered not reasonably practicable.

Self-employed persons: The Act also places duties on self-employed persons to protect their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work activities.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (legislation.gov.uk)

HSE - Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 guidance

What you need to do

Identify the description that best fits your business, then follow the guides in order.

1

Every gambling and betting business

Start with the universal workplace duties. Follow "Set up and run a safe gambling business" for your health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection obligations.
2

You provide gambling facilities (betting, casino, bingo, gaming machines, online gambling or lotteries)

You need a Gambling Commission operating licence, personal management licences for key staff, and — if you have physical premises — a premises licence from the local council. You must also register for and pay gambling duties to HMRC, and if you operate a casino you must comply with anti-money-laundering supervision. Follow "Meet your gambling licensing and regulatory duties".
3

Confirm you have covered everything

Work through the gambling and betting compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before you open or continue trading.

Official sources

Authoritative starting points for gambling and betting businesses.

Gambling Commission: getting a licence (opens in a new tab) Gambling Commission
Gambling Act 2005 (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk

Which gambling and betting regulations apply to your business

Sports, amusement and recreation compliance checklist

Gambling and betting compliance checklist

Fire safety duties for Northern Ireland businesses

Fire safety duties for Scottish businesses

Set up a limited company

What you need to do

Every gambling and betting business

You provide gambling facilities (betting, casino, bingo, gaming machines, online gambling or lotteries)

Confirm you have covered everything

Official sources

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Sports, amusement and recreation compliance checklist

Gambling and betting compliance checklist

Fire safety duties for Northern Ireland businesses

Fire safety duties for Scottish businesses

Set up a limited company

What you need to do

Every gambling and betting business

You provide gambling facilities (betting, casino, bingo, gaming machines, online gambling or lotteries)

Confirm you have covered everything

Official sources