Gibraltar License Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner

Overview

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of Spain. It covers only about 6.8 km², but since the late 1990s online betting and casino companies have gathered there, making it one of the main hubs of European remote gambling.

The Gibraltar license is known for not being handed out to just any company. A real business presence in Gibraltar is required and the screening is strict, so there are far fewer license holders than in Malta or Curaçao. In return, its credibility is high and many large listed companies use it.

Regulator

Instead of a separate independent commission, Gibraltar is regulated directly by the government. The Licensing Authority issues licenses, the Gambling Commissioner handles actual supervision and investigations, and the government’s Gambling Division handles day-to-day work. It is often called the “Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA).”

Gambling Act 2025

Gibraltar created the new Gambling Act 2025 to replace the Gambling Act 2005, which had been in use for 20 years, and it took effect on October 1, 2025. Existing operators were given a six-month transition period.

License types

As of 2025, there are 83 license holders (49 B2C and 34 B2B). Some slot providers, such as Pragmatic Play and Push Gaming, also have a company or a license based in Gibraltar.

Economic weight

Online gambling is a core industry of Gibraltar’s economy. It employs about 3,200 people and accounts for about 20% of Gibraltar’s gross domestic product (GDP). It is reported to pay around £110 million a year in corporate tax alone.

History

Gibraltar’s online gambling industry began in the late 1990s when UK betting companies moved there. At the time the UK taxed the amount wagered, and operating from Gibraltar let them avoid this tax and offer better odds. As internet betting and online casinos grew, large companies moved their headquarters or core entities to Gibraltar one after another.

Impact of Brexit

As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar was heavily affected by the UK’s 2020 exit from the European Union. Because a license within the EU became more advantageous for serving players in EU countries, many Gibraltar companies set up a second base in Malta. Today many companies split their operations, such as “Gibraltar for the UK market, Malta for the EU market.”

Player protection and oversight

Gibraltar license holders must follow rules on protecting player funds, preventing money laundering and responsible gambling, and the Gambling Commissioner carries out regular checks. Under the new law, a Gambling Appeals Tribunal has been created to hear challenges to the Commissioner’s decisions, strengthening the fairness of the process. Gibraltar’s Government Gambling Division is led by Andrew Lyman.

Comparison with other licenses