TonyBet Casino Review
TonyBet Casino is permanently closed. The Estonian operator TonyBet OÜ exited the UK market on March 8, 2024. While their UKGC licence remains active but temporarily disabled, they no longer accept UK players. Be aware that the TonyBet domain may have been repurposed by unrelated parties since closure.
TonyBet History
TonyBet was established as a gaming and sportsbook operator serving multiple international markets including the UK. The brand was originally founded by poker professional Tony G (Antanas Gaška), though the company was sold to new ownership in later years.
The casino operated under TonyBet OÜ, an Estonian company registered in Tallinn since 2011. The company held licences in multiple jurisdictions and built a reputation for offering both casino gaming and extensive sports betting markets, with particular strength in live (in-play) betting options.
TonyBet distinguished itself in the UK market through its dual focus on casino entertainment and sports betting. The site featured a comprehensive gaming experience that included online slots, table games, poker, and a full sportsbook. Their extensive live betting markets became a notable feature that attracted many players.
During its operational period, TonyBet held a UK Gambling Commission licence, allowing it to legally serve UK players. The casino maintained its UK operations until March 2024 when the operator made the commercial decision to exit the British market. Prior to this complete withdrawal, TonyBet’s UKGC licence was temporarily disabled rather than surrendered or revoked.
What TonyBet Offered
TonyBet provided a comprehensive gaming and betting platform that combined online casino games, poker services, and sports betting capabilities. The site catered to players who enjoyed both casino entertainment and wagering on sporting events.
The casino section featured extensive gaming options including online slots, table games, and live dealer experiences. Players could access games from multiple software providers, ensuring variety in both game selection and gameplay styles. The live casino offered real-time gaming with professional dealers.
Sports betting was a core component of TonyBet’s offerings. The platform provided extensive live betting markets that allowed players to place wagers on sporting events as they unfolded in real time. This in-play betting feature became one of TonyBet’s most distinctive aspects.
Payment methods included standard banking options for the UK market, though specific details about accepted payment providers are no longer available. Customer support was provided through multiple channels to assist players with queries and account management.
Before closing, TonyBet was rated 3.7 out of 5 stars by reviewers, suggesting players generally found the gaming experience satisfactory despite the eventual market withdrawal.
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. Players can verify current UK licensed casinos through official channels.
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 TonyBet 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 TonyBet 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 TonyBet 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.
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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 TonyBet 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 TonyBet
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Is TonyBet still open?
No, TonyBet Casino permanently closed its UK operations on March 8, 2024. The Estonian operator TonyBet OÜ exited the British market and no longer accepts UK players. -
What happened to TonyBet?
TonyBet made a commercial decision to exit the UK market in March 2024. This was a voluntary withdrawal rather than a regulatory enforcement action. Their UKGC licence remains active but is temporarily disabled. -
Can I get my money back from TonyBet?
If you had funds in your TonyBet account when it closed, you should have received them during the operator’s wind-down process. If you haven’t received your balance, contact TonyBet directly using email addresses from your account correspondence. UKGC rules require customer funds to be returned. -
Is the TonyBet website safe to use?
Players should not use any site claiming to be TonyBet. The original operator has left the UK market, and the domain may have been acquired by unrelated parties. Always verify a casino’s UKGC licence status before playing. -
Where can I play instead of TonyBet?
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