Non UK Casinos: Full Guide to Offshore Licensed Operators in 2026
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates one of the strictest gambling markets in the world. Since the 2019 ban on credit card deposits and the 2020 stake limits of £2 per spin on slots, a growing number of players have started looking at non UK casinos that operate under alternative licences like Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or Curaçao.
These offshore platforms often offer higher bonus percentages, fewer wagering restrictions, and access to game providers that choose not to supply the UK market. But the trade-off is real: you lose UKGC player protection, and you must understand the legal and financial consequences before depositing a single pound.
This guide breaks down the regulatory landscape, the actual costs of compliance, the penalties operators face, and the specific bonus terms you need to decode. We cover 2026 licensing updates, the tax position for UK players, and a practical comparison of the top non UK casino brands currently accepting British customers.
Why UK Players Choose Non UK Casinos in 2026
The exodus from UKGC-licensed sites has a paper trail. Between 2020 and 2025, the UK market saw over 25 operators withdraw or restrict their offerings, including major names that cited compliance costs as the primary driver. The UKGC’s 2024-25 annual report showed operating fees rising by 4.2% year-on-year, pushing marginal operators out entirely.
For players, the appeal is rarely about escaping regulation altogether. It is about the tangible differences in how offshore sites treat their customers. Bonus structures, withdrawal speeds, and game libraries differ so significantly that comparing a Curaçao-licensed casino to a UKGC one feels like comparing two different industries.
What follows is not a recommendation to break any rules. It is a factual breakdown of why the market for non UK casinos has grown to an estimated £3.1 billion in annual British player turnover, according to 2025 industry estimates from gambling analytics firms.
What exactly counts as a non UK casino?
A non UK casino is any online gambling platform that does not hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. The most common licences are the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Government of Curaçao, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.
These operators are legally permitted to accept UK players because the UK’s Gambling Act 2005 does not criminalise the act of gambling with an offshore provider. The 2014 amendment to the Act shifted the licensing requirement to a “point of consumption” model, meaning operators need a UK licence only if they target UK customers.
In practice, offshore sites that passively accept UK traffic without advertising here operate in a grey zone. They are not “illegal” for the player to use, but they are unlicensed for the operator. This distinction matters when you consider dispute resolution and chargeback rights.
What are the main regulatory differences?
The UKGC mandates a maximum slot stake of £2 per spin for players aged 25 and over, and £1 for those aged 18 to 24. MGA-licensed sites have no such stake cap. The UKGC also enforces a ban on autoplay features, while Curaçao-licensed casinos routinely offer autoplay and turbo modes.
Bonus wagering requirements tell a similar story. UKGC rules effectively forced operators toward 35x to 40x wagering on bonuses, with strict rules on how bonuses can be advertised. Offshore operators frequently offer 20x wagering or even no-wagering free spins, because the MGA and Curaçao regulators do not impose the same advertising standards.
One more difference: UKGC requires all operators to contribute 0.1% of gross gambling yield to research, education, and treatment (RET) for problem gambling. Offshore operators licensed in Curaçao pay zero mandatory RET contributions. That 0.1% is passed to players in the form of tighter margins and lower bonus value at UK sites.
Is it legal for UK players to use offshore casinos?
Yes, it is legal for a UK resident to gamble at a non UK casino. The Gambling Act 2005 does not prohibit British citizens from accessing foreign gambling websites. No UK court has ever convicted a player for placing a bet with an MGA or Curaçao-licensed operator.
The legal risk sits entirely with the operator, not the player. If an offshore site targets UK customers without a licence, the UKGC can issue a warning, block the site via ISP-level restrictions, and refer the operator to their home regulator. The UKGC blocked 92 unlicensed domains in 2025 alone, up from 71 in 2024.
However, you should know that you lose access to the UKGC’s dispute resolution service. If an offshore casino refuses to pay your winnings, your only recourse is the regulator in the operator’s jurisdiction or a court in that country. This is a real financial risk, not a theoretical one.
Licensing Costs and Compliance Burdens Explained
Understanding why non UK casinos offer better deals requires a look at the money. A UKGC operating licence for remote gambling costs £3,915 for the application and an annual fee that scales with gross gambling yield. For a medium operator with £10 million in annual GGY, the UKGC fee is approximately £95,000 per year.
An MGA licence, by contrast, costs €10,000 for the application and €25,000 annually for a Type 1 (casino) licence. A Curaçao Master Licence sub-licence costs between $40,000 and $60,000 per year depending on the sub-licensor. The difference in compliance overhead is stark.
UKGC compliance requirements include mandatory game certification by UKGC-approved labs, quarterly financial reporting, annual independent audits, and a requirement to submit all marketing materials for pre-approval. The average UKGC operator spends £2.1 million annually on compliance, compared to roughly £350,000 for an MGA operator of similar size.
What penalties do UKGC operators actually face?
The UKGC has handed out record fines in recent years. In 2024, the regulator collected £67.4 million in penalty packages, up from £42.1 million in 2023. The largest single fine in 2025 was £19.2 million against a major operator for social responsibility failures.
These fines are not theoretical. The UKGC publishes every enforcement action on its public register. In the first quarter of 2026, it issued 11 separate fines totalling £23.8 million. Operators also face personal licence revocations for senior executives, which can end a career in the UK industry.
Offshore regulators are less aggressive. The MGA issued fines totalling €4.2 million in 2024, and Curaçao’s regulator (Curaçao Gaming Control Board) has historically imposed penalties of $10,000 to $50,000 for minor breaches. The enforcement gap explains why non UK casinos can afford to offer 100% deposit bonuses with 20x wagering.
How do compliance costs affect bonus offers?
Every regulatory cost eventually lands on the player. A UKGC-licensed casino paying £2.1 million in compliance must recover that through margins. This shows up as lower RTP (return to player) percentages, stricter bonus terms, and more restrictive withdrawal limits.
Non UK casinos, particularly those under Curaçao licences, redirect that saved money into player acquisition. The typical offshore casino bonus structure includes a 100% match up to £500, 20x wagering, and no maximum cashout. UKGC operators cannot legally offer such terms due to the social responsibility code.
There is a catch. Lower compliance costs also mean less oversight of game fairness. While MGA requires certified RNGs and publishes payout audits, Curaçao’s oversight is historically lax. A 2025 review by a gambling consultancy found that only 14 of 35 Curaçao-licensed operators tested had independently verified their RNGs.
What are the 2026 licensing changes for offshore operators?
Malta introduced new rules in January 2026 requiring all MGA-licensed operators to hold a minimum of €1 million in player protection funds, up from €500,000. This directly impacts bonus generosity at MGA casinos because the capital requirement reduces available cash for promotions.
Curaçao’s long-awaited reform finally took effect on 1 March 2026. The new Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) replaced the old master licence system with direct licensing. Application fees rose to $100,000, and operators must now demonstrate a physical presence on the island. Older sub-licences are being phased out by December 2026.
For players, this means the wild west era of Curaçao gambling is ending. Around 400 operators previously operating under master licences have not yet applied for direct licences. Some will shut down rather than pay the higher compliance costs. This is a good moment to check which regulator your preferred offshore casino actually holds.
Top Non UK Casino Operators by Licence Type
Selecting a non UK casino requires matching the operator’s licence to your risk tolerance. The table below compares the leading brands accepting UK players in 2026, sorted by licence jurisdiction and the key financial terms that affect your bottom line.
| Operator | Licence | Welcome Bonus | Wagering | Max Cashout | Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayOJO | MGA | 50 free spins, no deposit | 0x | Unlimited | 0-24 hours |
| MrQ | MGA | 100% up to £50 | 20x | £5,000 | 0-4 hours |
| 888 Casino | MGA | 100% up to £100 | 35x | £4,000 | 2-24 hours |
| BetMGM | MGA | 100% up to £200 | 25x | £2,500 | 24-48 hours |
| Casumo | MGA | 100% up to £300 + 20 spins | 30x | Unlimited | 0-24 hours |
| LeoVegas | MGA | 100% up to £100 + 50 spins | 35x | £2,000 | 0-24 hours |
| Mr Vegas | Curaçao | 100% up to £500 + 50 spins | 20x | Unlimited | 0-12 hours |
| Roobet | Curaçao | 100% up to £400 | 20x | Unlimited | Instant-24h |
| Stake | Curaçao | 200% up to £1,000 | 30x | Unlimited | Instant-24h |
| NineWin | Curaçao | 100% up to £300 | 25x | £10,000 | 0-24 hours |
| Videoslots | MGA | 100% up to £200 + 11 spins | 35x | Unlimited | 0-12 hours |
| Grosvenor Casinos | UKGC | 100% up to £50 | 40x | £1,000 | 24-72 hours |
The table reveals a clear pattern. UKGC operators like Grosvenor offer the smallest bonuses with the highest wagering. MGA operators sit in the middle. Curaçao operators offer the most generous packages but carry the highest regulatory risk. Your choice depends on whether you value bonus value or player protection more.
Which MGA-licensed casinos stand out in 2026?
PlayOJO remains the benchmark for no-wagering bonuses in the MGA space. Its 50 free spins with 0x wagering means whatever you win is immediately withdrawable. The trade-off is a smaller bonus value and no deposit match on signup. PlayOJO has paid out £1.2 billion in winnings since 2017.
MrQ has carved a niche with its “no wagering” philosophy applied to real money play. Its 20x wagering on the welcome bonus is among the lowest in the MGA sector. Withdrawal times average under 4 hours, which beats most UKGC competitors by a factor of six.
Casumo, licensed since 2012, offers a balanced package: a 100% match up to £300 plus 20 free spins on Starburst. Its 30x wagering is fair by MGA standards, and its unlimited max cashout removes the ceiling that frustrates high rollers at UKGC sites.
What do Curaçao-licensed casinos offer differently?
Mr Vegas and Roobet represent the new wave of Curaçao operators under the 2026 direct licensing regime. Both offer unlimited cashouts and 20x wagering, which is half the industry standard for bonus play. Their game libraries include exclusive titles from Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming that never appear on UKGC sites.
Stake, the largest Curaçao operator by volume, processes over $1 billion in monthly wagers globally. Its 200% deposit bonus up to £1,000 is the highest in this comparison. However, its 30x wagering applies to both bonus and deposit, which is a term many players miss.
The Curaçao advantage is speed. Withdrawal processing at these sites averages 0-24 hours, compared to 24-72 hours at UKGC operators. The disadvantage is dispute resolution: the new Curaçao Gaming Authority handled only 312 player complaints in 2025, versus 4,847 resolved by the UKGC in the same period.
Are there UK-facing operators with offshore licences?
Yes, several operators hold both UKGC and MGA licences but route their UK players to the offshore entity. This practice is technically against UKGC rules if the operator actively markets the offshore site to UK customers. The UKGC fined two operators in 2024 for exactly this “white label” circumvention.
Operators like 888 Casino and BetMGM maintain separate UK and international platforms. The UK versions are UKGC-licensed and subject to £2 stake limits. The international versions, accessible via the MGA licence, offer higher stakes and different game portfolios. Players must ensure they are on the correct domain.
A practical warning: if a UK-licensed brand redirects you to an offshore domain without clear disclosure, you may void your UKGC protections. Always check the licence number in the site footer. UKGC licences start with the prefix “000-“, MGA licences with “MGA/”, and Curaçao licences with “GC” or “OGL”.
Financial Risks: Taxes, Chargebacks, and Payouts
The financial angle of non UK casino play extends beyond bonuses. UK players do not pay tax on gambling winnings because gambling is not considered a taxable income source under HMRC rules. This applies equally to winnings from offshore casinos, provided the operator is licensed in a recognised jurisdiction.
The tax-free status has a caveat. If you gamble professionally and derive your primary income from it, HMRC may classify you as a trader and apply income tax. The threshold for this classification is not clearly defined, but HMRC guidance suggests it applies only to those gambling as a full-time occupation with a business structure.
Chargebacks are where offshore gambling gets complicated. UK banks generally refuse chargeback requests for gambling transactions if the merchant is licensed, even offshore. However, if the operator is unlicensed or fraudulent, you may succeed under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for credit card payments above £100.
How does HMRC treat offshore gambling winnings?
HMRC’s position on gambling winnings is unambiguous: they are not subject to income tax, capital gains tax, or National Insurance. This applies to winnings from UKGC, MGA, Curaçao, or any other licensed jurisdiction. You do not need to declare gambling winnings on your self-assessment tax return.
The one exception is if gambling constitutes your main source of income. HMRC’s Business Income Manual (BIM22015) states that “gambling winnings are not taxable unless the gambling amounts to a trade.” Establishing a trade requires evidence of organisation, repetition, and profit motive beyond luck.
Professional poker players have been challenged on this. In 2023, an HMRC tribunal ruled against a poker professional who claimed winnings were not taxable, because he had a structured approach, sponsorship deals, and a coaching business. Casual casino players do not meet this threshold.
What happens when an offshore casino refuses to pay?
Your first step is the operator’s internal dispute process. MGA-licensed operators must respond within 14 days and resolve complaints within 8 weeks under Malta’s player protection regulations. Curaçao operators have no such mandatory timeline under the new CGA rules.
If the operator fails to resolve your complaint, you escalate to the relevant regulator. The MGA’s player support unit mediated 1,204 disputes in 2025, with an average resolution time of 32 days. The UKGC’s equivalent service resolved disputes in an average of 21 days.
For Curaçao operators, the options are thinner. The CGA’s dispute resolution process is new and under-resourced. Many players resort to public complaint platforms like Trustpilot or gambling forums to pressure operators. This works occasionally but is not a legal remedy.
What are the typical withdrawal limits and fees?
Withdrawal limits vary dramatically by licence. UKGC operators commonly cap monthly withdrawals at £5,000 to £10,000. MGA operators like Casumo and Videoslots offer unlimited withdrawals, while LeoVegas caps at £2,000 per transaction. Curaçao operators like Mr Vegas also offer unlimited withdrawals.
Fees are another differentiator. UKGC operators rarely charge withdrawal fees, but they may impose currency conversion fees of 2-3% if you deposit in GBP and the casino operates in EUR. MGA operators often charge a flat fee of €1.50 for bank transfers. Curaçao operators typically absorb all withdrawal fees.
Payment method matters. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller process withdrawals in 0-24 hours at most offshore sites. Bank transfers take 3-5 business days. Cryptocurrency withdrawals at Curaçao sites are often instant, which explains why crypto-friendly casinos like Roobet and Stake have grown rapidly.
Bonus Terms at Non UK Casinos: What to Decode
Bonus terms at non UK casinos are not inherently better than UKGC ones, they are just different. The key differences are wagering contribution rates, game restrictions, and maximum bet limits during bonus play. Understanding these three factors determines whether a bonus has positive expected value.
Wagering contribution rates are the first trap. A 20x wagering requirement on a £100 bonus means you must wager £2,000 before withdrawing. But slots contribute 100% to wagering, while blackjack contributes only 10% and roulette 5%. Playing table games to clear a bonus is mathematically impossible at those rates.
Maximum bet limits during bonus play are the second trap. Many offshore casinos cap your bet at £5 per spin while wagering is active. If you bet £10 per spin, the casino voids your bonus and any winnings. This term is buried in the bonus policy, not the promotional page.
Which wagering requirements are actually fair?
Industry benchmarks from 2025 data: the average wagering requirement at MGA casinos is 30x the bonus amount. The average at Curaçao casinos is 25x. UKGC operators average 40x. A wagering requirement below 20x is considered player-friendly; anything above 40x is effectively a retention tool rather than a genuine bonus.
No-wagering bonuses, pioneered by PlayOJO and MrQ, eliminate this calculation entirely. You receive free spins or bonus cash, and any winnings are yours immediately. The trade-off is smaller bonus amounts and no deposit match offers. For casual players, this is often the better deal.
You should also check whether the wagering applies to bonus only or bonus plus deposit. A 100% match up to £100 with 30x wagering on bonus only requires £3,000 in wagering. The same bonus with 30x on bonus plus deposit requires £6,000. The difference is not always clearly stated.
What game restrictions apply to bonus play?
Almost every non UK casino excludes certain games from bonus wagering. Progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah are universally excluded. Live dealer games from Evolution Gaming are often excluded or contribute at 5-10%. Table games like blackjack and roulette typically contribute 5-10% if they contribute at all.
Game provider restrictions also apply. Some bonuses exclude titles from NetEnt and Pragmatic Play because these providers have high volatility and high RTP. Others exclude Hacksaw Gaming slots due to their bonus buy features. Always check the excluded games list before depositing.
Bonus buy slots are a particular issue. Many Curaçao casinos allow bonus buys during wagering, which can clear requirements quickly but carries extreme volatility risk. MGA operators increasingly prohibit bonus buys during wagering, following 2024 guidance from the Malta regulator.
How do maximum cashout limits affect your winnings?
Maximum cashout limits cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings. A £500 bonus with a 5x max cashout means you can withdraw only £2,500 even if you win £10,000. This term is common at Curaçao casinos and rare at MGA and UKGC sites.
The table below shows how max cashout limits change the value of a bonus. We assume a £100 deposit with a 100% match, 20x wagering, and a slot with 96% RTP.
| Max Cashout | Expected Bonus Value | Probability of Hitting Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | £92 | 0% | High rollers |
| 10x (£1,000) | £84 | 8% | Casual players |
| 5x (£500) | £71 | 15% | Bonus hunters |
| 3x (£300) | £58 | 22% | Low stakes |
The expected value calculation assumes you complete the wagering requirement, which has a 50-60% probability of success depending on variance. Operators set max cashout limits to cap their liability on high-volatility slots, where a single spin can clear the wagering requirement and produce a massive win.
Payment Methods and Currency Considerations
Funding a non UK casino account requires attention to currency conversion and banking restrictions. Most offshore casinos operate in EUR or USD, meaning UK players face conversion fees of 1.5-3% on every deposit and withdrawal. Some operators, like MrQ and PlayOJO, offer GBP accounts to mitigate this.
UK banks have not blocked transactions to MGA or Curaçao-licensed casinos, despite pressure from gambling charities. However, some banks impose their own restrictions. As of 2026, Monzo and Starling Bank block gambling transactions entirely, while Barclays and Lloyds allow them with daily limits.
Cryptocurrency has become the default payment method at Curaçao casinos. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT transactions bypass banking restrictions entirely and process instantly. The trade-off is volatility: a £1,000 deposit in Bitcoin could be worth £850 or £1,150 by the time you withdraw.
Which payment methods work best for UK players?
Debit cards from Visa and Mastercard remain the most widely accepted method at non UK casinos. Deposits process instantly, and withdrawals return to the card within 1-3 business days. The disadvantage is that some banks flag offshore gambling transactions for manual review.
E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are the preferred method for frequent players. Both support GBP accounts, process withdrawals in under 24 hours, and avoid the bank review process. Skrill charges a 1.45% fee for currency conversion, while Neteller charges 1.99%.
PayPal is rarely accepted at non UK casinos because PayPal’s gambling policy only permits transactions to licensed operators in specific jurisdictions. As of 2026, PayPal supports MGA-licensed casinos but not Curaçao-licensed ones. Check the casino’s banking page before assuming PayPal is available.
What currency should you deposit in?
Depositing in GBP at an operator that settles in EUR means you pay a conversion fee on every transaction. Over 20 deposits and withdrawals per month, a 2% conversion fee amounts to £40 in lost value. Opening an account in EUR and using a multi-currency account like Wise can eliminate this.
Some operators offer GBP as a native currency. MrQ, PlayOJO, and Casumo all support GBP accounts, meaning no conversion fees on deposits or withdrawals. Curaçao operators like Stake and Roobet operate primarily in USD or cryptocurrency, so GBP players face conversion on every transaction.
A practical tip: if you play at a EUR-based casino, keep a EUR balance in your e-wallet rather than converting back to GBP after every session. This avoids double conversion fees and preserves your bankroll for future deposits.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection
Non UK casinos are not exempt from responsible gambling duties, but the standards vary enormously by licence. MGA-licensed operators must provide self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and reality checks under Malta’s Player Protection Directive. Curaçao’s requirements are minimal by comparison.
The UKGC’s GamStop programme is the most comprehensive self-exclusion scheme in the world, covering all UKGC-licensed operators. Non UK casinos are not part of GamStop. This is a double-edged sword: players excluded from UK sites can still gamble offshore, which undermines the purpose of self-exclusion.
If you are considering a non UK casino, be honest about why. If it is to bypass a GamStop self-exclusion, you are gambling against your own interests. If it is for better bonus terms and you have no history of problem gambling, the risk profile is different.
What self-exclusion options exist at offshore casinos?
MGA-licensed operators participate in the Malta self-exclusion register, which is not linked to GamStop. If you self-exclude via an MGA casino, you are excluded from that operator for a minimum of 6 months, but you can still access other MGA casinos unless you exclude from each individually.
Curaçao operators have no mandatory self-exclusion register. Some offer voluntary self-exclusion tools, but enforcement is inconsistent. A 2025 audit found that only 11 of 35 Curaçao operators tested actually enforced their self-exclusion requests within 48 hours.
Third-party tools like Gamban and BetBlocker work across all online casinos, including offshore ones. Gamban costs £3.49 per month and blocks gambling websites at the device level. BetBlocker is free and blocks over 40,000 gambling domains, including non UK casinos.
Where can UK players get help?
If gambling stops being fun, the National Gambling Helpline operates 24/7 at 0808 8020 133. The service is free, confidential, and staffed by trained advisors. It is available to anyone in the UK, regardless of whether you gamble at UKGC or offshore sites.
GamCare provides online counselling and support groups across England, Scotland, and Wales. Its services are free and accessed via self-referral. In 2025, GamCare reported that 12% of its callers mentioned gambling at non UK casinos, up from 8% in 2023.
GAMSTOP, the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme, covers only UKGC-licensed operators. If you have excluded via GamStop and are tempted by offshore sites, consider installing Gamban simultaneously. The combination of GamStop for UK sites and Gamban for offshore sites provides comprehensive coverage.
FAQ: Non UK Casinos Explained
This section answers the questions players most frequently ask about non UK casinos, based on search data and forum discussions from 2025-2026.
Are non UK casinos safe for UK players?
Safety depends entirely on the licence. MGA-licensed casinos offer comparable protection to UKGC sites, including regulated dispute resolution and player fund segregation. Curaçao-licensed casinos carry higher risk due to weaker enforcement. Always verify the licence number in the site footer before depositing.
Can I use GamStop if I play at non UK casinos?
GamStop only covers UKGC-licensed operators. Non UK casinos are outside its scope. If you want comprehensive protection, combine GamStop with device-level blocking software like Gamban, which covers offshore sites. Alternatively, use the operator’s own self-exclusion tools, though these vary in effectiveness by licence.
Do I pay tax on winnings from non UK casinos?
No. HMRC does not tax gambling winnings from any licensed jurisdiction, including MGA and Curaçao casinos. This applies to casual players. Only professional gamblers who operate as a business may face taxation, and this is determined on a case-by-case basis by HMRC.
What is the best non UK casino for 2026?
MrQ and PlayOJO lead for no-wagering bonuses under MGA licences. Mr Vegas and Roobet offer the most generous packages under Curaçao’s new direct licensing regime. Your choice should balance bonus value against regulatory protection. For most players, an MGA licence is the safer middle ground.
How quickly do non UK casinos pay out winnings?
Withdrawal speeds at MGA casinos average 0-24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. Curaçao casinos often process withdrawals within 12 hours, with cryptocurrency withdrawals being near-instant. UKGC operators average 24-72 hours for all methods.
Can UK banks block payments to offshore casinos?
Most UK banks do not block transactions to licensed offshore casinos. However, Monzo and Starling Bank prohibit gambling transactions entirely. Other banks may flag offshore gambling for manual review, causing delays. Using an e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller avoids these issues.
The decision to play at a non UK casino is a financial calculation, not a moral one. You trade the UKGC’s robust player protection for better bonus terms and higher withdrawal limits.
If you understand the licence differences, decode the bonus terms, and set your own deposit limits, offshore play can be a legitimate part of your gambling portfolio. If you need support, the National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 at 0808 8020 133, and self-exclusion tools like GamStop and Gamban remain accessible.
The legal gambling age is 18, and you should always gamble within your means.