Your Independent Guide to The Best (and Worst) UK Online Poker Sites

In November 2014, the UK government enforced a new set of policies related to online gaming sites. Part of a two-step process, the initial change forced remote operators to apply for a licence to offer services in the UK.

To gain a licence an online operator must apply to the UK Gambling Commission. Once an application has been processed and accepted, the company is not only free to offer gaming services in the UK but advertise to UK residents.

Following these changes, many of the online poker and casino industry's major operators have adjusted their platforms to comply with the new regulations. As is now common, players based in the UK are filtered through a specific portal before given access to a site's range of games.

For example, UK players that once anted-up via PokerStars' US portal are now ushered through a UK domain. Doing this makes it easier for online operators to monitor their UK-based players and determine localised revenues. These figures are then needed for taxation purposes.

From a player's perspective, the changes haven't altered the way in which UK residents access their favourite online games. Despite being funnelled through new portals, there are no restrictions barring poker players from competing against players from other licensed regions.

In terms of safety, the new licensing laws in the UK have helped to make the industry more secure. Following numerous legal incidents across the world, the online community is often in a state of uncertainty when it comes to the legality of a particular site.

Fortunately, for UK residents, this is now no longer a problem as any site that is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is fine to play on. Moreover, because the UKGC vets each operator before a license is granted, you can rest assured that every site we recommend is 100% safe. Everything from an operator's random number generator, to the way it holds players' funds is checked and then routinely monitored by the UKGC.

Overall, this means that when you choose one of our recommend UK poker sites, you'll know that your chances of winning are fair and that your bankroll is always protected.

At the end of 2014, the UK government introduced some important changes regarding taxation for online gambling operators. Since these changes have come into effect, a number of UK players have been asking what that means for their gambling profits.

To clear up any confusion and outline why playing in the UK is still TAX FREE, check out our Q&A on gambling tax:

The online gambling world and UK taxation laws.

As of December 2014, remote operators offering igaming services to UK residents are required to hold a valid gaming licence. Additionally, all licensed operators will be subject to a new Point of Consumption (POC) tax which is set at 15%. In the past, remote online poker controllers did not have to pay UK tax. They would, however, have to pay POC tax on the gross profits they accrued from UK players.

Do I now pay tax on my winnings if I'm based in the United Kingdom?

Not at all. This POC tax is focused only on the online poker operators and not the individual players.

In the UK, betting shops were previously charged 9% tax on a players winnings (differing slightly in each establishment). Through this system, tax was charged on top of the wager or a small portion of the winner's returns was withheld. This dynamic was used across the UK until Gordon Brown introduced changes in 2001.

Since that time, gaming companies have been charged 15% on gross profits and this has subsequently meant punters aren't subject to any taxation. Today, if you enter any high street bookmaker in the UK, both your stake and returns will be 100% tax free. Moreover, you won't need to worry about paying tax on your winnings at a later date.

Today, any stake, whether it's poker, casino or sports betting, is completely tax-free.

Does this affect me as a professional poker player/ gambler?

Poker players and gamblers that are residents in the UK do not face being taxed on their winnings, even if it's there "job". Because of the UK government's definition of gambling, it's debatable whether or not "poker player" can be classed as full time employment. This fact, coupled with the tax free nature of the UK's gambling system, means that you won't have to declare any winnings to the tax man; regardless of whether this money represents your sole source of income.