Businesses we cannot support

Last updated: 26 September 2026

Payments through OPPay are initiated by an FCA-authorised payment institution, and we are responsible to them and to the law for who uses that service. Some types of business we cannot accept at all. Others we can, but they need additional checks before we can approve them.

This page is the list referred to in section 3 of our Terms & Conditions. It is worth two minutes before you apply — if your business is in the first list below, we will not be able to approve you, and we would rather you knew that now than after filling in an application.

We cannot accept these

Applications from these sectors are declined, and existing accounts found to be operating in them will be closed.

Gambling, betting, lotteries, prize competitions and fantasy sports, whether licensed or not
Adult entertainment, adult services, escort or companionship services, and adult dating
Cryptocurrency and digital asset exchanges, brokers, dealers, ATMs, mining and token sales
Money service businesses — money transmission, currency exchange, cheque cashing, and any business whose product is moving money for other people
Payday lending, high-cost short-term credit, debt collection, credit repair, and unlicensed lending of any kind
Investment schemes, unregulated collective investments, binary options, forex trading, and any business selling investments without FCA authorisation
Multi-level marketing, and pyramid or matrix schemes
Dealers in precious metals, precious stones, bullion and coins
Weapons, ammunition, and military or dual-use goods
Illegal drugs; cannabis and CBD products beyond those lawfully sold in the UK; unlicensed pharmaceuticals; prescription medicines sold without a registered pharmacy
Counterfeit, replica or unlicensed branded goods
Businesses selling age-restricted goods online without age verification
Shell companies, nominee arrangements, and any business that cannot describe what it actually sells, misrepresents who it is or hides who owns it
Any person, business or country subject to financial sanctions, and anything designed to get around sanctions, export controls or import controls
Money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, bribery, tax evasion, or handling the proceeds of crime
Child sexual abuse material, human trafficking, modern slavery, forced labour, or any other exploitation of people
Collecting payments for other businesses, or providing payment services to them, without the registration or permission that requires
Any business that is unlawful in the United Kingdom or anywhere it operates, that encourages or helps others to act unlawfully, or that we reasonably believe exists to facilitate unlawful activity

These need additional checks

We can support these sectors, and many of our merchants are in them. They simply need more evidence before we can approve an account, which usually means a few extra documents and a slightly longer wait. Where your business needs a licence, registration or permission — from the FCA, the Charity Commission, the GPhC or another regulator — you will need to show it is current, and we cannot approve you without it.

Motor vehicle dealers, new and used
Estate agents and letting agents
Jewellers and watch retailers
Art, antiques and auction houses
Travel agents, tour operators and ticket resellers
Legal, accountancy and tax advisory firms
Charities, not-for-profit organisations, community interest companies and public fundraising
Consumer credit, lending, buy-now-pay-later, debt advice and debt adjusting (other than those in the first list)
Investment firms and brokers authorised by the FCA
Insurance distribution and claims management
Employment agencies, umbrella companies and payroll bureaux that pay workers on behalf of other businesses
Pharmacies, prescription medicines and medical devices
Pawnbrokers and buy-back retailers
Tobacco and vaping retailers
Businesses with a director or owner resident outside the United Kingdom
Companies incorporated within the last three months

How we decide which sector you are in

We look at what you tell us, your Companies House record and SIC codes, your website, and your trading name. Where these disagree, we will ask you about it before deciding. We go by what a business actually sells rather than how it is described.

If you are not sure

Ask us before you apply. Email sales@oppay.co.uk with a short description of what your business does and we will tell you straight away whether we can support you. It costs you nothing and saves us both the application.

Why this list exists. It is not a judgement about these businesses, most of which are entirely legitimate and well run. Some sectors carry money-laundering risk that a platform of our size cannot properly manage; others are restricted by the payment provider whose service we build on. We would rather publish the list than decline applications without explaining why.

Changes to this list

We may update this list as our obligations change. If a change affects an existing account, we will give you notice under section 20 of our Terms & Conditions.