Online Gambling UK
In the UK, online gambling has become more commonplace than ever. The ongoing rage of online gaming and online slots becoming more and more popular as we live our lives in this digital era of technological advances. Likewise, they can have everything we want at the touch of a button.
Online gambling in the UK is regulated by the Gambling Act 2005. Which has put in place regulations and rules which casino need to adhere to. To ensure the safety and security of the players which choose to game with their sites.
The act has also helped ensure that the process of gaming and gambling simple and secure for all. Especially those who gamble and play games. This has helped to ensure ease of use with a simple sign up or a walk into a casino enabling you to play a game straight away.
This is also good news for the business of casinos online. As these casinos will offer players a secure platform to the game and gamble with. Which will mean that in future they will find these platforms more trustworthy. Thus, safety secures loyalty amongst consumers, who are most commonly drawn to the casinos from the free spins and promotions they have in place.
Recent Changes in the legislation regarding Online UK Gambling
Previous legislation made it so that you were not able to play games online. Or gamble until you had been signed up to a casino and maintained membership for more than 24 hours.
The 2005 Act abolished this. However, this was not in place with regards to online gambling only gambling within casinos. This means anyone was still able to sign up and begin to gamble and playing games with online casinos in the UK.
The Gambling Act 2005 has also established that online casinos must be based in the UK. Although there are some advantages to being in places. Like Gibraltar with regards to tax and so this is an attractive pull to keep some casinos away from the UK.
The Gambling Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 was established by the Gambling Commission. It was imposed to ensure that all casinos and gambling bodies were regulated. To ensure the safeguarding of gamblers and those who played games online with casinos.
This means that all commercial gambling takes place in the UK. Which is regulated by the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is a public body. It is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The Gambling Commission has a few responsibilities which affect online gambling in the UK. These are the publication of guidance and advice, licensing. Additionally compliance and enforcement, and research.
The Gambling Commission handles all of the operators of remote gambling. This includes online gambling and telephone gambling. Both are required due to the Gambling Act 2005 to be licensed.
This licence is enforced due to the activities. Which are provided online by the operators. Thus, not simply because the operator is giving players the chance to gamble online.
Although the Commission takes care of the specific activities happening online. With the online gambling casino houses. Each actually needs a separate licence to provide activities like betting. bingo, casino games, gambling software and lottery games.
Online UK casinos based abroad
If there are online casinos which are based abroad that operate in the UK. They may still advertise their products in the UK.
This is acceptable as long as the website in question is based in one of the ‘whitelisted’ countries. Or as long as it is based in a country that has been mentioned in the Gambling Act 2005.
These countries include EEA countries:
- Alderney
- Antigua
- Barbuda
- Gibraltar
- Isle of Man
- Tasmania
This means that any of the online gambling casinos will need to adhere to the regulations of the Gambling Commission. Therefore, players are protected when choosing to game online with one of these sites. In the UK, you will not need any form of a licence when you are gambling online.
But, to make sure you are safe and secure. Which is exactly what you are going to get from any particular online casino. It is a good idea that you read the guidelines. That have been published on the Gambling Commission website.
In the UK, conditions can be imposed with regards to online gambling. These are enforced in one of these four ways. A general licence condition can be given to any individual operating licence. Or all betting operating licences.
The second way is that individual licence conditions being applied to an individual operating licence. To address matters that concern an individual operator and their activities. Conditions can be imposed by the Secretary of State. A class of operating licence or statutory conditions is imposed on all operating licences.
All of these above conditions have been imposed to safeguard the player’s protection, while they are gambling online.
The UK Gambling Commission Codes of Practice
Section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005 has also issued codes of practice. Which pertain to the manner in which gambling facilities are provided to slot games. In order to make sure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly. Ensuring that children and vulnerable people are safeguarded from exploitation by gambling sites. Which assistance is made available to people who are, or maybe, affected by problems. In relation to gambling online.
All of these licences which have been provided to casinos from the Gambling Commission are required to comply with the codes of practice. Which are given to them by the Gambling Commission to allow players to gamble fairly.
This serves the UK and British public who gamble online by keeping them safe. Ensuring that the gaming opportunities they take are safe and provided in a fairway. This also helps the casino in question to be trusted. Especially by the customers as they will ensure the safety of the players that come their way.
