Yoti and Licensing Connect team up to help licensed premises prepare for new digital ID age checks
Yoti has partnered with Licensing Connect to help hospitality and retail businesses adopt digital age verification ahead of changes to the Mandatory Licensing Conditions, which will let people use digital IDs certified against the UK government's Digital Verification Services (DVS) Trust Framework as proof of age to buy alcohol.
Through the tie up, licensed premises (including pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and retailers) can use the Licensing Connect app to stay compliant with current age verification regulations. It also gets them ready for the new conditions, expected in autumn 2026.
The app already provides staff training and digital record keeping tools, including a refusals register, incident book and accident book. Yoti’s Digital ID Connect ID Checker is now integrated into the app, letting staff verify digital IDs certified against the DVS Trust Framework without needing to inspect a passport or driving licence.
Yoti’s ID Checker lets retail and hospitality staff use any smartphone to scan and verify a customer’s digital ID. It allows businesses to confirm the digital ID is legitimate, belongs to the customer and that they’re old enough to buy age restricted items. People show a QR code from their digital ID app, and staff scan it with the ID Checker to verify its validity.
Customers only share an age result (such as “over 18”), so businesses don't collect unnecessary personal information. It reduces the risk of accepting fake IDs and speeds up age checks by removing the need to show a physical document. Licensing Connect can also automatically create an audit trail and update the refusals register whenever an age challenge is made.
Licensed premises can sign up now with Licensing Connect to prepare for the introduction of digital proof of age and the forthcoming changes.
Robin Tombs, CEO at Yoti, says: "The acceptance of digital IDs for alcohol sales is a significant milestone for the UK, giving people a new, trusted way to prove their age in convenience stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs. Our partnership with Licensing Connect will help licensed premises adopt digital proof of age with confidence by giving staff the tools they need to accept digital IDs. Together, we’re helping hospitality and retail businesses meet regulatory requirements while providing a faster, more private and convenient experience for customers."
David Dadds, Founder and CEO at Licensing Connect, says: "Licensed premises face real challenges when carrying out age verification. Staff are often expected to make difficult judgements about a person's age, and mistakes can have serious consequences for both the individual employee and the business. In some cases, staff may fail to ask for identification when they should, while in others they may be presented with fake or fraudulent documents that can be difficult to detect. Digital age verification offers a more secure and reliable solution.”
“This partnership with Yoti will help licensed businesses embrace digital proof of age with confidence. By combining trusted age verification technology with Licensing Connect's compliance, training and record-keeping tools, we are helping the hospitality and retail sectors prepare for the future while improving compliance, reducing risk, enhancing customer privacy and helping businesses remain inspection ready."
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Hospitality technology will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
