Gambling merchant accounts UK

Heaviest regulated vertical with the most complex chargeback and fraud profile. Card networks impose specific MCC codes and processing rules.

Legal status (UK)

Legal in UK with Gambling Commission licence. Prize draws under specific exemptions.

Acquirers accepting

  • Specialist gambling acquirers
  • Tier-one international acquirers via specific programmes

Typical pricing

Rate
2.5% to 5.0% (varies by sub-category)
Settlement reserve
Variable; can be substantial

Watch outs

  • Gambling Commission licence required.
  • Anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds checks more rigorous.
  • Card scheme rules around gambling are jurisdiction-specific.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-26.