Legal Online Poker in the United Kingdom (2026)
Every online poker room licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, what changed after the 2026 duty rise, and where PokerStars UK players are moving.
Verified 9 September 2026- Regulator
- UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Legal since
- Gambling Act 2005
- Minimum age
- 18
- Player pool
- International
- Deposit limit
- Set by the player; affordability checks above thresholds
- Tax on winnings
- None on winnings; 40% Remote Gaming Duty on operators since April 2026
Licensed online poker rooms in United Kingdom
- 1
GGPoker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Short Deck, Rush & Cash
- Largest tournament guarantees in the UK pool
- 50% rakeback introduced after the 2026 duty rise
- 2
888poker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, BLAST, SNAP fast-fold
- Softest fields among the UK-licensed rooms
- 3
Unibet Poker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Banzai
- No HUDs, no table selection: designed for recreational players
- 4
partypoker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, fastforward
- 5
bet365 Poker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Twister
Visit bet365 Poker18+ · T&Cs apply
- 6
Grosvenor Poker UKGC licensed
- No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha
- Same operator as the Vic and 50 UK casinos
- Live satellites to Grosvenor UK Poker Tour
Visit Grosvenor Poker18+ · T&Cs apply
How licensing works
The Gambling Commission licenses remote operators under the Gambling Act 2005, and every licence sits on the public register with its account number and the domains it covers. Advertising is policed by the ASA under the CAP Code, which binds affiliate sites like this one as well: nothing that appeals strongly to under-18s, disclosure of commercial links, and bonus terms stated up front.
What changed in 2026
Remote Gaming Duty nearly doubled in April. In the same year Flutter restructured PokerStars so that UK players are served through its Betfair, Sky Bet and Paddy Power brands instead of a standalone PokerStars skin. Promotions have thinned since, and GGPoker’s UK pool has overtaken on tournament guarantees.
Player protection
Every licensed room has to connect to GamStop, the national self-exclusion scheme, and run affordability checks above certain deposit levels. Credit cards cannot be used for gambling in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is online poker legal in the UK?
Yes. Any operator with a remote casino licence from the Gambling Commission can offer poker to UK residents. The public register lists every licensee.
What happened to PokerStars UK?
In 2026 Flutter began moving UK players from the standalone PokerStars skin to PokerStars on Betfair, with Sky Poker and Paddy Power Poker following. The PokerStars UK affiliate programme closed in February 2026. The rooms remain licensed.
Are UK poker winnings taxed?
No. Gambling winnings are tax-free for players in the UK, including for professionals.
Why did rewards get worse in 2026?
Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026. Operators responded by cutting rakeback and loyalty schemes; GGPoker went the other way with a 50% rakeback offer to win share.