Pelaa Casino Review
Pelaa Casino is permanently closed. The casino shut down on 23 December 2022 after its operator, Genesis Global Limited, filed for insolvency. Its UKGC licence #45235 was subsequently surrendered, and the MGA licence was formally cancelled in January 2024. Warning: The pelaa.com domain may have been acquired by unrelated parties – never deposit at any site claiming to be Pelaa without verifying its current UKGC licence status.
Pelaa Casino History
Pelaa Casino launched in 2018 as part of the Genesis Global Limited portfolio. The casino stood out with its energetic and design-forward theme, offering players a modern and vibrant gaming experience that differentiated it from more traditional casino sites.
Operated by the Malta-based Genesis Global, Pelaa held licences from both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. The casino was one of several brands in the Genesis family, which included sister sites like Casino Gods, Casino Joy, Vegas Hero, Sloty, and Genesis Casino.
During its four years of operation, Pelaa built a reputation for offering over 1,000 slot games alongside live dealer and table games. The casino was praised for its mobile compatibility and user-friendly interface, earning a 4 out of 5 rating from reviewers before its closure. Players particularly appreciated the casino’s transparent approach and reliable customer support.
What Pelaa Casino Offered
Pelaa Casino featured an extensive games library with over 1,000 slots from leading software providers. The collection included popular titles, progressive jackpots, and new releases, alongside a comprehensive selection of live dealer games and table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
The casino welcomed new players with competitive bonus offers, though the specific welcome package varied over time. Pelaa supported multiple payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, ensuring convenient banking options for UK players.
Customer support was available through various channels, providing assistance with account queries, technical issues, and responsible gambling tools. The casino was accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy their favourite games anywhere.
Why Do Online Casinos Close?
Online casinos close for several reasons, and it happens more often than most players realise.
Financial viability is the most common factor. Running a licensed online casino involves significant costs — platform fees, game licensing, payment processing, compliance staff, and marketing. Smaller operators sometimes find these overheads unsustainable, particularly in competitive markets like the UK.
Regulatory changes also play a role. The UK Gambling Commission regularly updates its requirements, and operators that cannot meet new standards may choose to surrender their licence rather than invest in compliance. This has become more common since the tightening of affordability checks and enhanced due diligence requirements.
Corporate restructuring accounts for many closures. When larger gambling groups acquire smaller operators, they often consolidate brands — keeping the strongest performers and retiring the rest. The players and sometimes even the staff move to sister sites within the same group.
In some cases, the UKGC itself revokes or suspends a licence due to regulatory failures, which forces an immediate closure.
Is the Pelaa Casino Website Still Safe?
When a casino closes, its domain name eventually expires and can be purchased by anyone. This is a genuine risk that players should take seriously.
The Pelaa Casino domain may no longer be operated by the original company. Unrelated third parties — sometimes unlicensed operators based offshore — can acquire expired casino domains and launch new gambling sites under the same name. These sites have no connection to the original operator, no UK licence, and no obligation to protect your funds.
Before depositing at any site, always verify its licence status on the UKGC public register at https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register. Search for the operator name (not the casino brand) to confirm they hold a valid licence.
If the Pelaa Casino domain is now showing a gambling site that is not listed on the UKGC register, do not create an account or deposit any money. Report the site to the UKGC and Action Fraud.
Alternatives to Pelaa Casino
PlayOJO Casino — Offers a similar player-friendly approach with no wagering requirements on bonuses and transparent terms. Operated by SkillOnNet with strong UK presence.
LeoVegas — Multi-award winning casino with excellent mobile experience and no UK VIP restrictions. Established brand with strong reputation for fair play.
BetGoodwin — Features low wagering bonuses (10x) and UK-focused approach with transparent terms. Good option for players seeking fair bonus conditions.
You can also browse our best UK casinos guide to find UKGC-licensed alternatives that offer similar games and features to what Pelaa provided.
What Happens to My Data and Money?
The UK Gambling Commission requires licensed operators to follow a structured wind-down process when closing. This includes returning all customer funds within a reasonable timeframe and providing clear communication about the closure timeline.
Customer funds held by UKGC-licensed operators must be protected under one of three segregation levels. When a casino closes, players should receive their remaining balances. If you had funds in your account when Pelaa Casino closed and have not received them, contact the operator directly using any email addresses from your account correspondence.
Your personal data is protected under GDPR regardless of whether the casino is still operating. You have the right to request deletion of your data by contacting the operator’s data protection officer. If the company has dissolved, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Dispute resolution remains available through independent bodies. If you have an unresolved complaint, you can contact IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service) or the ADR provider specified in the casino’s original terms. GAMSTOP self-exclusion registrations remain active across all UKGC-licensed operators, so any existing self-exclusion continues to apply at other UK casinos.
FAQs About Pelaa Casino
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Is Pelaa Casino still open?
No, Pelaa Casino is permanently closed. The casino shut down on 23 December 2022 after its operator, Genesis Global Limited, filed for insolvency. -
What happened to Pelaa Casino?
Pelaa Casino closed due to its parent company Genesis Global Limited entering insolvency proceedings. The operator faced financial difficulties following a £3.8 million UKGC fine and regulatory issues, leading to the closure of all Genesis Global brands in December 2022. -
Can I get my money back from Pelaa Casino?
If you had funds in your Pelaa Casino account when it closed, you should have been given a withdrawal window to claim your balance. If you haven’t received your funds, contact Genesis Global Limited directly using email addresses from your account correspondence. UKGC regulations require operators to return customer funds during closure. -
Is the Pelaa Casino website safe to use?
No – you should not use any website claiming to be Pelaa Casino. The original domain may have been acquired by unrelated parties. Any site using the Pelaa name is not connected to the original licensed operator and could be unsafe. Always verify UKGC licensing before playing at any online casino. -
Where can I play instead of Pelaa Casino?
We recommend PlayOJO Casino for its no-wagering bonuses, LeoVegas for mobile gaming, or BetGoodwin for low-wagering offers. You can also browse our best UK casinos guide to find UKGC-licensed alternatives that offer similar games and features to what Pelaa provided.
