AK Bets soon to be live in the UK after receiving a licence from the UKGC

AK Bets

Irish platform AK Bets has confirmed it has been awarded its own operator licence by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). 

The online bookie and casino provider have secured the coveted status within just a few years of its existence, fresh from a resounding success at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. 

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The Dublin-based company, which takes its name from founder Anthony Kaminskas, topped the list of the most generous bookies at Cheltenham, after its odds proved to be very popular. 

Its odds offered average over rounds of 123.1%, comparing favorably to BetVictor (123.9%) and Ladbrokes (125.8%). 

Overrounds, also known as the 'bookmaker's margin', refer to the built-in profit margin that a bookmaker includes in the odds they offer on a betting market or outcome. 

The overround ensures the bookmaker makes a profit regardless of the outcome of the bet.

The Gambling Commission website proves that the licence, for both remote and non-remote gambling, was confirmed on 7 March 2025.

News of the breakthrough in Britain was shared and confirmed by Kaminskas on his LinkedIn account, as he revealed an expectation for a UK launch to materialise within six weeks. 

At this point, UK bettors will be able to open an account and deposit funds with the newly accredited brand.

In an interview with Business Post, the company chief portrayed a message that he wanted to be a disruptor, to make an impact, but tempered this with realism on the industry.

“We’ll never be absolutely huge. We’re not going to have bells and whistles, and we’re not going to have all the toys of a Paddy Power or the market reach of a Paddy Power or a bet365,” said Kaminskas 

“But I think we can add so much value in being more human when taking bets off individuals.” ​

The award of a UKGC licence brings scope for massive growth, but it will also present challenges for AK Bets. 

As set out in the Gambling White Paper Review, the conditions around bonus rules are moving fast. From December 2025, there will be action taken on bonuses that require a maximum wagering requirement of 10x the bonus.

Operators have also been warned that cross-selling incentives will effectively be eradicated, with bonuses only to apply to one specific market category.

Not only will newcomers like AK Bets need to be on top of the new rules, but existing, established platforms will also need to be cognisant of the changes, or they will pay the price.

While a new opening has emerged for a licence in the UK, AK Bets and all other involved parties will be required to go through a new process for a licence in their native market. 

The Irish regulator, GRAI, has requested “all interested parties to register their interest for a licence in the Irish market.” 

In recognition of the modern diversified gambling market, the regulator will issue three types of licences.

There will be a B2C format for operators and lotteries, a B2B version for tech entities and suppliers, with a charitable type licence for those working to combat gambling harm or to provide research-related services.