The UK Gambling Commission has been taking the rules and regulations it has in place very seriously when making checks on UK licensed operators and a number are falling short of its expectations. We have seen recently that InTouch Games surrendered its licence, Done Brothers (Betfred), Videoslots, Skill On Net, William Hill and more have all been affected.
Normal Play is Still Safe
Now we know this might give readers cause for concern, but most of these breaches are not in relation to the day to day operation of the sites, how the games play or how the operators look after the money of the average punter.
Where the operators are being caught out is by not having enough checks in place to cover certain aspects of the business:
to protect those that are betting bigger and more often, that might be a sign of a gambling problem and potential gambling harm
to ensure that the bigger and more frequent deposits and bets are not actually money laundering operations or covering terror financing
Lindar Media was reviewed between July 2021 and September 2022 and in addition to the above failings they also did not advise the Commission when a person in a key position left, they did not make the expected annual contribution to the fund that helps combat problem gambling and that the firm fell short on following all of the advertising codes concerning appealing to minors.
What Penalty Will Lindar Media Face?
The technical terms for the outcome of the investigation is ‘Divestment, Payment in lieu of financial penalty, Commission costs and Public statement’.
As the UKGC was happy that Lindar Media were already taking steps to fix the issues before and immediately after the report the payment in lieu of financial penalty was set at £690,947, which will be used for socially responsible purposes. The firm agreed to publication of the facts of the case and they had to pay the UKGC investigation costs.
What does all this mean for players?
While we say these things need not be a worry to those who play online bingo, slots and casino games and like to bet on sports, it may be that in tightening up rules to meet the UKGC standards, we might all be inconvenienced with more ID checks, checks on how much we can afford to play and checks on where our spending money comes from. This will not go down well with many, so the operators really need to find the path of least resistance with players while meeting their licence requirements. That’s a tightrope to walk!
Looking for a fresh start? Our New Casinos page lists the latest additions, fully reviewed.
Top Bingo Offers:
Advertiser Disclosure: When you use WhichBingo, there are never any hidden fees or costs. To help fund our work we may earn a referral commission if you create an account via our site. This commission never impacts the impartiality of our reviews and ratings.
Disclaimer: 18+ New Customers. Opt in. Deposit & play £10 in any Bingo Room within 7 days. Get £60 on Bingo. Advertised £60 Bingo based on 10p tickets. Rewards expire after 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New players. Dep (exc. PayPal&Paysafe) & spend £10 on select slots for bonus & spins or in select bingo rooms for bingo bonus. Wagering, max wins & individual promo. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs Apply.
18+ New players only. Min deposit £10 and £10 stake on slot games required. 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza credited automatically. Free Spins value: £0.10 each. Free Spins expire 48 hours after crediting. No wagering on Free Spins; winnings paid as cash. Full T&C’s apply.
1st deposit only. Stake £10 on bingo for £40 bingo bonus (£30 online & 2 x £5 Club vouchers). 4x wagering requirements on online bingo bonus. Full T&Cs apply.
18+. New Players Only. GambleAware.org. Take time to think. Minimum Deposit £10. 10x wagering in 7 days. Max bet £5. Max win applies. For Casino offer Spin Value £0.1. Bingo offer Bonus Cash to be used on Bingo only.
New players. Dep (exc. PayPal & Paysafe) & spend min £10 on a selected slot for spins or in Main Event Bingo for bonus. Wagering & max wins apply. Individual promo T&Cs Apply. Full T&Cs Apply.
Required Significant Terms:* New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager within 30 days from registration. Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. 18+ GambleAware.org #AD
New players. Dep (exc. PayPal & Paysafe) & spend min £10 on a selected slot for spins or in Main Event Bingo for bonus. Wagering & max wins apply. Individual promo T&C’s apply. Full T&Cs Apply.
Pride is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some drag bingo! We’re experts when it comes to a bingo night, so we’ve compiled a guide to the UK’s best drag bingo events. Here are my top 5 drag bingo events so you can celebrate in style: 1. Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party (London/Essex) She’s an Essex Queen. She’s the tart with a heart. Fanny Galore is a…
Nearly half a million votes were cast by real players in WhichBingo Awards 2026 – and with so many votes cast its crazy how close it was. One category was decided by just 18 votes. We’ve gone behind the numbers to reveal the other interesting statistics and stories that went into voting. The Race Decided By Just 18 Votes Thousands of votes were cast but Best Promotions was decided by…
After a record-breaking 500,000 votes from across the UK (nearly double last year’s total) the WhichBingo Awards 2026 winners have been crowned. Players decided 12 Main category winners. Four Editors’ Choice winners were selected by the WhichBingo editorial team through hands-on testing, WhichScore data, and years of tracking how brands actually perform. The winners were revealed on the night at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, Gibraltar. And for the first time…
A bingo player in Glasgow has won £50,000 at Mecca Bingo Glasgow Forge after hitting the National Bingo Game jackpot. The winner (who has asked to remain anonymous) is a long-standing regular at the Duke Street Mecca club, playing there with their family since it opened 30 years ago. They called house within the first 16 numbers called, triggering the top £50,000 prize. The Win As It Happened Sharon Kennedy,…
Viva Las Vegas… in the North East! WhichBingo visits Bally’s Corporation’s first UK flagship casino in our new two-part documentary. Bally’s Casino Newcastle is part of the same brand that runs casino resorts across the United States, landing at The Gate in Newcastle city centre back in April 2025. As one of the most complete entertainment venues in the region, we thought Bally’s would be the perfect addition to our latest…
Nearly half a million votes were cast by real players in WhichBingo Awards 2026 – and with so many votes cast its crazy how close it was. One category was decided by just 18 votes. We’ve gone behind the numbers to reveal the other interesting statistics and stories that went into voting. The Race Decided By Just 18 Votes Thousands of votes were cast but Best Promotions was decided by…
Since launching in late 2025, Los Vegas Casino has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the most popular casino sites in the UK. Los Vegas is in the top 20 brands on WhichBingo in terms of popularity, and has only been around for a matter of months. It is also the number one new site in 2026. It is pretty remarkable for the newest brand in the mix….
Brits are turning to VPNs in huge numbers to access illegal gambling sites, racking up an estimated 150-200 million minutes on dodgy casinos in January 2026 alone. And seriously risking their money in the process. VPN usage in the UK has surged since the Online Safety Act came into force in July 2025, and Gambling Commission research recorded around 20 million visits to illegal gambling sites that month. Often marketed…
Nearly half a million votes were cast by real players in WhichBingo Awards 2026 – and with so many votes cast its crazy how close it was. One category was decided by just 18 votes. We’ve gone behind the numbers to reveal the other interesting statistics and stories that went into voting. The Race Decided By Just 18 Votes Thousands of votes were cast but Best Promotions was decided by…
After a record-breaking 500,000 votes from across the UK (nearly double last year’s total) the WhichBingo Awards 2026 winners have been crowned. Players decided 12 Main category winners. Four Editors’ Choice winners were selected by the WhichBingo editorial team through hands-on testing, WhichScore data, and years of tracking how brands actually perform. The winners were revealed on the night at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, Gibraltar. And for the first time…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Brits are turning to VPNs in huge numbers to access illegal gambling sites, racking up an estimated 150-200 million minutes on dodgy casinos in January 2026 alone. And seriously risking their money in the process. VPN usage in the UK has surged since the Online Safety Act came into force in July 2025, and Gambling Commission research recorded around 20 million visits to illegal gambling sites that month. Often marketed…
You, the public have spoken. Over 480,000 votes cast across the main categories… and now it’s our turn. While the player vote decides the 12 winners in the Main categories, like Best Bingo Site and Best Slot Game, plus the 5 Pre-Show categories like Best Bingo Caller, there are a handful of categories at the WhichBingo Awards 2026 that an expert judging panel decides. These are the 4 Editors’ Choice…
Have you noticed UK casino bonuses looking a bit different in 2026? A major tax just came into effect that we expect will impact the bonuses you get at UK casino sites. But there is some good news for bingo players. We unpack what this all means for UK casino and bingo players. So What’s Actually Changed? The government has significantly increased the Remote Gaming Duty with the aim of…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
George Sampson won Britain’s Got Talent at 14 and became a household name overnight. But 18 years on, it’s not the rain dance on a Warrington street that defines him, it’s a troubled school kid from a BBC drama, a two-year theatre adventure that nearly didn’t happen, and a pivot into acting that began with a broken-down car in Doncaster. We caught up with George to talk about all of…
Viva Las Vegas… in the North East! WhichBingo visits Bally’s Corporation’s first UK flagship casino in our new two-part documentary. Bally’s Casino Newcastle is part of the same brand that runs casino resorts across the United States, landing at The Gate in Newcastle city centre back in April 2025. As one of the most complete entertainment venues in the region, we thought Bally’s would be the perfect addition to our latest…
The tombola table is a British classic, a national institution. And part of what makes it so beloved is that the prizes are, frankly, a lottery. A novelty pen that doesn’t work. A pack of nappies. A cuddly toy. A jar of chutney with a worryingly old best-before date. Whether at your local summer fair or a bingo hall, there’s always a collection of random items (this is key) atop…
After a record-breaking 500,000 votes from across the UK (nearly double last year’s total) the WhichBingo Awards 2026 winners have been crowned. Players decided 12 Main category winners. Four Editors’ Choice winners were selected by the WhichBingo editorial team through hands-on testing, WhichScore data, and years of tracking how brands actually perform. The winners were revealed on the night at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, Gibraltar. And for the first time…
by
Esther Rubin
13min
Updated June 4, 2026
Anita Heffernan
Author & Former Editor
The Bingo Queen is a fun name earned from colleagues through Anita Heffernan's exceptional knowledge and commitment to the online bingo world. With over 20 years of experience as both a player and an expert in the industry, Anita has built a reputation as a trusted authority on all things bingo.
4min 
Reader comments