For centuries, gambling has been a main recreational activity in Great Britain with horse racing being a main focus. However, the sport has been heavily regulated and, historically, much of the opposition has come from evangelical Protestants as well as from social reformers. Although every state of Europe varies in terms of gambling regulations, still this didn’t hinder the fact that Europeans are among the largest gamblers in the world particularly, the UK.
Gambling in the United Kingdom (UK) is regulated by the Gambling Commission for the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). All of this takes place under the Gambling Act 2005. This Act of Parliament drastically updated the UK’s gambling laws, including the launch of a new structure of protections for children as well as vulnerable adults, in addition to bringing the growing Internet gaming sector under British regulation for the very first time.
What Is The UK Gambling Commission?
The Gambling Commission in the UK is an executive non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for regulating gambling as well as supervising gaming law in Great Britain. Its responsibilities cover arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, slot machines and lotteries in addition to remote gambling. However, the commission doesn’t cover spread betting.
The declared aims of the Commission are to make sure that crime is kept out of gambling as well as to protect the vulnerable. It issues licences to operators and also advises the government on gambling-related issues. In addition, the Gambling Commission also collaborates with the police over suspected illegal gambling. The Gaming Board for Great Britain was replaced by the Gambling Commission in 2007. In 2013, this new body assumed responsibility for regulating the National Lottery.
The Gambling Commission has the right to visit its licencees as well as examine their financial activities. As a consequence of this examination, specialists from the Gambling Commission are able to issue recommendations for amendments. Apart from this type of advice, supplementary licence conditions can be set or removed. In some instances, the Commission may take action in order to correct or avoid certain misconducts.
What Does The UK Law Say About Online Gambling?
Online gambling is legal – as well as regulated in the UK – by the Gambling Commission. Online poker, sports betting, casino games like those found at https://onlinegamblingcasino.xyz/, bingo as well as lottery-style games all fall under the purview of the Gambling Commission. Anyone who wants to offer these games to citizens of the UK must acquire a licence from the commission.
Unlike some other countries across the world, the government of the UK doesn’t criminalise online gambling. Instead, it promotes a safe environment with protections for players as well as operators alike.
Gambling laws are vague – and oftentimes contradictory – in other parts of the world. Luckily this isn’t the case in the UK. Thanks to the Gambling Act 2005, there’s a very clear framework for hosting games in addition to placing bets online. The only thing that you need as a player is to be 18 years or older and have a connection to the internet.