Casino app safety
A genuine app from a UK-licensed casino is as safe as its website. The risks come from fakes, from over-generous permissions and from an unlocked phone.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Install only from official stores or the casino's own site.
- Match the developer to the licensed operator.
- Location access is normal; contacts and SMS access are not.
- Lock your phone and your payment apps.
Spotting a fake app
| Check | Genuine | Suspect |
|---|---|---|
| Source | App Store, Google Play or the casino's domain | A link in a message or advert |
| Developer | The licensed operator or its parent | An unfamiliar name |
| Reviews | Many, over years | Few and recent |
| Licence | Account number shown in app and site | None, or a non-UK regulator |
| Promises | Offers within UK rules | No verification, huge bonuses, crypto |
Licence numbers for all five are on safe casino apps; for a recently launched app see judging a new app.
What a UK licence gives you
- Identity and age checks.
- Bonus wagering capped at 10x.
- Slot stake limits.
- GAMSTOP self-exclusion.
- A route to an independent dispute service.
Check any operator on the Gambling Commission register. Our app reviews give the account number for each.
Permissions
| Permission | Why a casino app asks | Normal? |
|---|---|---|
| Location | To confirm you are in Great Britain | Yes, required |
| Notifications | Offers and account alerts | Optional |
| Camera | To photograph ID for verification | When verifying |
| Face ID or fingerprint | Quick login | Optional |
| Contacts, SMS, microphone | No good reason | No |
Securing your login
- Use a unique password; a password manager helps.
- Turn on biometric login only on a phone that is yours alone.
- Use a screen lock.
- Log out on shared devices.
- Secure your PayPal and banking apps too.
Messages and emails
Casinos do not ask for your password by text or email. Reach your account only by opening the app yourself. If a message asks you to log in through a link, ignore it.
If your phone is lost
- Use Find My or Find My Device to lock or erase it.
- Change your casino password from another device.
- Contact the casino to pause the account.
- Tell your bank and PayPal if payment apps were unlocked.
Related: how to download, verification on mobile and the glossary for any term used here.
Play safely
An app puts a casino in your pocket all day. Set a deposit limit when you install it, switch on session reminders, and treat every deposit as money spent. Free, confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Our safer gambling page lists the tools and services.
Frequently asked questions
Are casino apps safe?
Apps from UK-licensed operators, installed from official stores, are.
How do I know an app is genuine?
The developer matches the licensed operator, and the app shows a UKGC account number.
Why does a casino app need my location?
Its licence only covers play in Great Britain.
Should I use Face ID for a casino app?
Only on a phone no one else uses.