What happens if a casino goes bust
It is rare. The rating in the terms decides what happens.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Depends on the fund protection rating.
- 'Not protected': you may be an ordinary creditor.
- High protection: funds held in trust.
- Keep balances low.
In shortIf a casino becomes insolvent, what happens to your balance depends on its stated fund protection rating. With a 'not protected' rating, your money could be treated as part of the company's assets.
By rating
| Rating | In insolvency |
|---|---|
| Not protected: segregation | Funds are separate but may be used to pay creditors generally |
| Medium protection | Arrangements exist to return funds to customers |
| High protection | Funds are in an independent trust for customers |
Ratings as set out by the Gambling Commission, checked 8 October 2026.
Limiting your exposure
- Find the rating before depositing.
- Withdraw winnings instead of leaving them.
- Do not use a casino account as a savings account.
Keep reading: The operator, The regulatory record, Unlicensed casinos and Trusted slots sites UK.
Why this matters for trust
Trust in a casino is not a feeling; it is a set of things that can be checked. A licence makes the operator answerable to a regulator. Segregated funds, tested games, a named dispute service and safer gambling tools are conditions of that licence. Knowing how each works lets you tell a casino that is meeting them from one that merely says so, and lets you act quickly when something goes wrong.
Two things to check for yourself
We have not confirmed two items for any of the five casinos, and both are in the casino's own terms. The first is the customer funds rating: search the terms for 'insolvency' and you will find 'not protected', 'medium protection' or 'high protection'. The second is the dispute resolution service: search for 'dispute' or 'ADR' to find the independent body that hears complaints the casino has not resolved. Both take about a minute.
How we score casinos
Each of the five casinos is scored out of ten in six categories: the welcome offer and its terms, games, live casino, payments, mobile, and trust and support. The overall score out of five combines them. Scores are desk-based: they draw on each casino's published terms, the public register and recent independent reviews, not on real-money accounts, and we say so wherever it matters. Commission from casinos does not change a score or an order, and the overall score is not a ranking of trustworthiness.
Go further: Trusted offers for existing customers UK, PlayOJO vs Casumo and Trusted video poker sites UK.
More to read: Starburst UK and No wagering casinos UK.
Also: Eyecon casinos UK.
Sources
- What happens to your money if a gambling business goes bust, Gambling Commission guide for the public
- The customer funds insolvency ratings system, Gambling Commission guidance
Licences were confirmed on the Gambling Commission register; regulatory actions were checked against Commission announcements on 8 October 2026; offer terms on 5 October 2026. Items labelled "reported" come from independent reviews, and items labelled "not checked" we have not confirmed. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get my money back if a casino fails?
It depends on its fund protection rating.
Is there a compensation scheme?
Not like the one for bank deposits.
Where is the rating?
In the casino's terms.
How do I reduce the risk?
Keep balances low.
Why does this matter when choosing a casino?
Because trust rests on things you can check.
How do I find a casino's fund protection rating?
Search its terms and conditions for 'insolvency'.
How do you rate casinos?
On six published categories, desk-based, with commission having no effect on scores.