Fees & Certification
Clear, proportionate pricing for serious operators
What you are paying for
OCSA certification is not a one-time assessment. It is ongoing independent scrutiny.
Your monthly fee funds continuous monitoring of your operation against published standards — reviewing complaints, assessing draw practices, checking marketing compliance, and maintaining the evidence base that underpins your certified status.
Certification reflects OCSA's independent assessment that your operation meets the required standard at the time of assessment and continues to do so under ongoing review. It is not a guarantee of regulatory approval, legal compliance, or freedom from complaint. It is evidence of a serious, documented, independently monitored commitment to responsible operation — and in a sector where that evidence is rare, it carries real weight.
The level of your monthly fee reflects the level of scrutiny your operation requires. That scrutiny is proportionate to scale — because larger operations carry greater responsibility, serve more consumers, and present greater risk to the sector if standards slip. Gold certification costs more than Certified, not because it comes with more badges, but because it involves more intensive oversight of an operation where more is at stake.
Certification may be suspended, downgraded or withdrawn at any time if standards are no longer met. That consequence is what makes the certification meaningful.
Why this matters right now
The DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice reaches its full implementation deadline on 20 May 2026. OCSA's independent audits of Code signatories have found material compliance gaps at virtually every operator assessed — including some of the sector's most reputable names.
OCSA certification provides a structured, evidence-based path to compliance — and the independently verified documentation to demonstrate it to consumers, banking partners, and regulators.
One-Off Application Fee
£150 (non-refundable)
Covers:
application review
verification checks
onboarding assessment
certification setup
badge preparation
The application fee is a one-off charge payable on first application and on any reapplication following a lapse or withdrawal of certification. It is not charged at annual renewal where certification has been maintained continuously.
Certification Levels
OCSA offers three levels of certification, aligned with the size, risk profile and maturity of your operation.
1. Certified Operator (Entry Tier)
£75 per month
Entry-level certification for smaller and emerging operators.
Includes:
OCSA Certified badge
Annual compliance review
Basic documentation templates (T&Cs, complaints process, transparency guidance)
1 mediated complaint per year
Access to OCSA guidance and support
Certified status demonstrates a professional baseline and commitment to responsible operation.
2. Silver Certified Operator (Mid Tier)
£275 per month
For established operators seeking stronger oversight and visible trust signals.
Includes everything in Certified, plus:
OCSA Silver badge
Up to 3 complaint mediations per year
Annual marketing compliance review
Draw Verification (Lite)
Full documentation suite (GDPR, AML checklist, influencer guidance, updated T&Cs)
Access to training materials
Priority support
Silver certification is the most common choice for reputable, established operators.
3. Gold Certified Operator(Top Tier)
£1,275 per month
For high-turnover and high-profile operators who require the highest level of independent oversight, dispute protection and reputational assurance.
Includes everything in Silver, plus:
OCSA Gold badge (highest standard)
Unlimited complaint filtering and triage
Priority complaint mediation
Annual deep compliance audit
Prize verification audit
Certified Draw Verification (up to 6 draws per year)
Anti-fraud behaviour reporting
Staff certification (up to 3 staff included)
Direct operator support
Guidance during disputes, PR issues or regulator enquiries
Gold certification is designed for operators running large-value prizes and significant advertising spend.
VAT
All prices are shown exclusive of VAT.
OCSA is VAT registered. VAT will be charged at the prevailing rate where applicable.
Ongoing Oversight & Reviews
OCSA certification is subject to continuous oversight.
All certified operators are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure they continue to meet the standards of their certification tier.
This includes review of complaints, disputes, verification outcomes and risk indicators throughout the year.
In addition:
Certified operators undergo a formal annual compliance review.
Silver operators undergo an enhanced annual compliance review, including marketing and draw checks.
Gold operators undergo a deep annual compliance audit, reflecting their scale and risk profile.
Certification may be suspended, downgraded or withdrawn if standards are no longer met.
Tax Deductibility
All OCSA certification fees are 100% tax-deductible business expenses, like other professional compliance and regulatory costs.
This typically reduces the real cost by up to 20–25%, depending on your corporation tax position.
Cost Context
For comparison only:
Full Gambling Commission regulation commonly costs £100,000–£350,000+ per year for large operators
OCSA Gold costs £15,300 per year
OCSA delivers trust, oversight and protection without the six-figure financial and administrative footprint of statutory gambling regulation.
Additional Services (Optional)
For operators requiring deeper or bespoke support, OCSA can also provide:
Site-visit audits
Additional draw or prize verification
Mystery shopper testing
Chargeback defence support
Enhanced marketing compliance reviews
Executive risk briefings
Additional staff certification
These services are quoted separately based on scope and risk profile.
Which Level Is Right for You?
If you are unsure which certification level is appropriate:
smaller or newer operators typically begin at Certified
established operators usually choose Silver
large, brand-name operators typically operate at Gold
We are happy to discuss this before you apply.
Apply or Enquire
To apply for certification or discuss your options, contact: