Ladbrokes Casino Suspended by Topboss Group

Ladbrokes Status: Suspended by TopbossGroup

The name Ladbrokes has been linked with betting and gaming for a very long time. In fact, the company dates all the way back to 1886. Today it is one of the best-known gambling brands in the UK and Ireland.

A famous name does not guarantee our recommendation, though. On this page, we explain why we suspended Ladbrokes and what we could verify about the brand today. You will also find three alternatives we are happy to suggest instead.

Why We Suspended Ladbrokes

TopbossGroup is an independent information site. Like most review sites, we work with casino affiliate programmes. These programmes pay websites for referring new players. For that to work, both sides need to trust each other.

Our suspension of Ladbrokes comes from that business relationship. The Ladbrokes affiliate programme changed its terms and conditions in ways we considered unfair. Some of these changes applied retroactively, which means they affected earnings partners had already built up.

We were not alone in our concerns. For example, the programme closed the accounts of its American affiliate partners, and those partners lost their future commission. As a result, many webmasters stopped promoting Ladbrokes altogether.

We took similar action against Star Spins Casino for the same kind of retroactive terms changes.

Our view is simple. If an operator treats its business partners unfairly, we would rather tell our readers than keep promoting it.

Is This a Player Safety Warning?

Not in the usual sense. We have not suspended Ladbrokes over unpaid winnings or a missing licence. Instead, the decision reflects how the company handled its affiliate partners.

That difference matters. Some casinos on our blacklisted casinos and warnings list have serious player complaints behind them. Ladbrokes is a licensed operator with a regulator you can complain to if something goes wrong. We would still encourage you to read the regulatory section below before deciding where to play.

Is Ladbrokes Still Open?

Yes. Ladbrokes is still operating online and in betting shops. The table below sums up what we could confirm from official sources.

Ladbrokes Licensing and Ownership

Our older version of this page said Ladbrokes International was licensed in Gibraltar. That is still partly true, but the picture has changed. Today, LC International Limited runs Ladbrokes online from Gibraltar.

For British players, the key licence comes from the UK Gambling Commission. The Commission’s public register lists LC International’s remote casino, bingo and betting licences as active. They have been in place since 1 July 2019.

Irish players are covered by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Meanwhile, customers in other permitted countries play under a licence from the Government of Gibraltar. Our guide to global gambling regulations explains how these regulators differ.

Ladbrokes belongs to Entain, one of the largest gambling groups in the world. Entain bought Ladbrokes Coral in 2018. The same UK licence also covers sister brands such as Coral, Gala Casino, bwin, PartyCasino and Foxy Bingo.

The 2022 Gambling Commission Settlement

Ladbrokes has one significant regulatory episode that players should know about. In August 2022, the UK Gambling Commission completed a review of the group’s online and land-based businesses.

The review found weaknesses in anti-money laundering checks. It also found gaps in safer gambling processes, which are meant to protect vulnerable customers. For the online business, these failings took place between December 2019 and October 2020.

This was a serious finding, and we do not want to play it down. That said, it is now a settled matter. Ladbrokes kept its licence and agreed to extra oversight. Its UK licence remains active today.

What Ladbrokes Offers Players

Sports betting is still the heart of the Ladbrokes brand. However, the site also offers a full casino, live casino, bingo and poker, all under one account.

The casino has games for every type of player. Casual players can enjoy spinning the reels, while high rollers will find serious table action too. There are also branded slots based on popular films and TV shows.

In the live casino, real dealers add extra excitement to the experience. For example, you can place bets at a live roulette wheel or take a seat at a live blackjack table.

Ladbrokes also runs a free-to-play daily rewards game. Players get one spin per day, with prizes that include cash, casino bonuses, free spins and LadBucks. LadBucks are the brand’s own reward points.

We could not verify a current game count from Ladbrokes directly. Our old figure of “over 300 games” is out of date, so we have removed it rather than guess.

What About the Welcome Offer?

We have not listed a Ladbrokes welcome offer on this page. There are two reasons for that. First, we are not promoting the brand while it is suspended. Second, Ladbrokes offers change often and can differ depending on the product and the sign-up route.

If you still choose to join, read the offer terms on the Ladbrokes site itself. In particular, check the minimum deposit, any excluded payment methods, the wagering rules and the expiry dates.

Ladbrokes Pros and Cons

Ladbrokes has real strengths as a brand. Still, our concerns are important enough that we no longer recommend it.

Playing Safely at Any Casino

Whichever site you choose, keep gambling fun and affordable. UK-licensed operators must offer tools to help you stay in control. These include deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.

Ladbrokes links to several support services from its site. These include GamStop, GamCare, Gambling Therapy and GambleAware. You can use these services for free, whether or not you play at Ladbrokes.

Alternatives to Ladbrokes

If you like the idea of a big, established brand, there are good options we are happy to recommend. Each one below holds a proper licence and has been reviewed by our team.

William Hill Casino is the closest match. Like Ladbrokes, it is a historic British bookmaker, founded in 1934. It combines sports betting with a large casino and live dealer section.

For a more modern feel, LeoVegas is a strong choice. It launched in Sweden in 2012 and became famous for its mobile casino. MGM Resorts International took full ownership in 2022.

Players who mostly game on their phones may also like Mr Mobi Casino. As the name suggests, it was built with mobile play in mind.

Want more choice? Our full list of online casinos lets you compare many more sites.

How We Make Suspension Decisions

We do not suspend a brand lightly. Before we act, we look at how an operator treats players, partners and regulators. We also check official sources rather than rumours.

Our aim is to give readers honest information, even when it means stepping away from a well-known name. You can read more about our standards on our why trust TopbossGroup page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Ladbrokes closed down?

No. Ladbrokes is still open online and on the high street. Only TopbossGroup’s recommendation has been suspended.

Why did TopbossGroup suspend Ladbrokes?

We suspended it because of how its affiliate programme treated website partners. This included changing terms and conditions retroactively.

Is Ladbrokes licensed?

Yes. LC International Limited runs Ladbrokes online. It holds an active UK Gambling Commission licence, number 54743. Irish players are covered by the Irish regulator, and other markets by the Government of Gibraltar.

Who owns Ladbrokes?

Ladbrokes is part of Entain, a large international gambling group. Entain has owned the brand since 2018.

Was Ladbrokes fined by the Gambling Commission?

In 2022, the group agreed to pay a combined £17 million after a regulatory review. The review found anti-money laundering and safer gambling failings. The money went to socially responsible causes.

Could the suspension be lifted?

We review our suspended brands from time to time. If our position on Ladbrokes changes, we will update this page.