This guide is general information about how UK gambling regulation works and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Regulations and figures change over time, so check the UK Gambling Commission and official sources for the current position before relying on any detail. 18+.
How Your Casino Funds Are Protected
When you deposit money into a casino account, it helps to know what would happen to that balance if the operator went out of business. UK rules require operators to tell you, and the level of protection varies from site to site.
Operators must disclose the level
Any UK-licensed operator that holds customer funds must set out, in its terms and when you first deposit, whether those funds are protected if the business becomes insolvent, the level of protection, and how it is achieved. There is no legal duty to protect funds, but disclosing the position is mandatory.
The protection levels
The disclosure uses set descriptions. ‘Not protected’ means funds could be lost if the operator fails, whether or not they are kept separate from business money. ‘Medium protection’ involves an external arrangement such as a trust. ‘High protection’ means funds are held independently in a way designed to return them to customers if the business collapses.
A reminder for unprotected funds
From 31 October 2025, operators whose customer funds are not protected in the event of insolvency must remind customers of this at least once every six months, so the position cannot be quietly forgotten after sign-up.
What to do about it
Check the protection level before depositing – it is usually in the terms or a dedicated banking page. Whatever the level, a sensible habit is not to leave large balances sitting in a gambling account: withdraw winnings you do not intend to play rather than treating the account as a place to store money.
Frequently asked questions
Are my casino deposits guaranteed?
Not necessarily. There is no legal duty to protect customer funds, but operators must disclose the protection level. 'Not protected' funds could be lost if the operator becomes insolvent.
What is the difference between medium and high protection?
Medium protection uses an external arrangement such as a trust, while high protection holds funds independently in a way designed to return them to customers if the business fails.
How do I find out my casino's protection level?
It must be stated in the terms and conditions and shown when you first deposit, often on a banking or fund-protection page. Operators with unprotected funds must also remind you every six months.
Does fund protection mean my money is guaranteed?
Not on its own. The protection level tells you how your money is held and what is likely to happen if the operator becomes insolvent, ranging from not protected through to high protection held independently in trust. Even high protection is about insolvency, not about guaranteeing winnings or covering disputes. The most practical safeguard, whatever the level, is to withdraw money you do not intend to play rather than leaving large balances in a gambling account.
Related guides: Casino complaints and disputes · How to check a casino is licensed · Risks of unlicensed casinos
18+. Please gamble responsibly. Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money, and you should only stake what you can afford to lose. For free, confidential support, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (run by GamCare, free and open 24/7) or visit BeGambleAware.org. If you want to take a break, GAMSTOP lets you self-exclude from UK-licensed online gambling sites free of charge (begambleaware.org · gamstop.co.uk). Fortune Games operates under UK Gambling Commission licence 39175.