Uk Gambling Commission
- With the increase of online gaming options, rose the need for measures to ensure safer experience. For that end, the UK Gambling Commission announced a package of changes that are supposed to strengthen the protections, as well as the control of online slots play.
- UK Gambling Commission The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate gambling in Great Britain. It is headed by a Chairman and other Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State and is an independent non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is the main regulator for all gambling activities in the UK. They handle licencing and regulating for individuals and businesses offering gambling to citizens, including the National Lottery. Gambling regulation is simple given there is only one governing body in charge. This page focuses on the UK Gambling Commission and has information on how they came about, what they do and more for UK gambling laws.
The Gambling Commission website uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released a myriad of new measures as it seeks to heighten protections around online gambling and sports betting. At the heart of the new measures is the prohibiting of reverse withdrawals, a decision made off the back of the group’s public consultation carried out in July 2020.
This page pertains to regulatory agencies that operate within Great Britain and not the entire UK which includes Scotland, Wales, etc.; these countries have their own laws and regulations which is why it is entirely crucial to learn about various countries laws concerning gambling in order to stay in line with that country’s policies and regulations.
When Did The UK Gambling Commission Begin?
In 2005, the United Kingdom passed a comprehensive gambling law known as the Gambling Act. This Act legalized multiple forms of gambling including casinos, sports betting, poker and much more. It also included provisions for online gambling. As part of the GA 2005, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission was introduced to regulate the entire market. The Commission came to full power in 2007 and took over for what was once the Gaming Board of Great Britain.
What Does The UK Gambling Commission Do?
The UKGC’s gambling regulation falls in line with licencing objectives established by the GA 2005. These are:
- Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime.
- Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.
- Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The UKGC also regulates the National Lottery, England’s major lottery system. Their goals, as far as regulation goes, are to guarantee that every lottery that is part of the National Lottery is run with due propriety, the interests of every participant in the National Lottery are safeguarded and to help the proceeds be as high as possible—this is because the National Lottery goes towards a good cause.
They handle licencing (in conjunction with local licencing authorities in some instances) for British operators and individuals. They specifically licence GB enterprises that have at least one of the following:
- Arcades
- Betting
- Bingo
- Casinos
- Gaming Machines
- Lotteries
- Remote Gambling (online, telephone)
- Gambling Software
They licenced one commercial operator to run the National Lottery. Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd. currently has this licence.
Who Sponsors The United Kingdom Gambling Commission?
The UK Gambling Commission is what is known as an NDPB, or a non-departmental public body. They are an independent entity sponsored by the Department for Digital, Cultural, Media, and Support. Funding comes from fees paid by organisations and individuals that are licenced by the UKGC. The Department for Digital, Cultural, Media, and Support establishes these fees.
What Is The UKGC Not Responsible For?
It may seem like the UKGC handles everything regarding gambling for England in the United Kingdom, especially since the GA 2005 is the overarching benchmark. However, there are a few things that the regulatory body does not cover. For example, they do not address consumer complaints regarding payouts or a bet you placed. Gambling and betting operators are supposed to have their consumer complaint system in place as part of their UKGC licence.
There is supposed to be an independent third-party if the case goes so far as to needing legal disputes. The same goes for disputes with the National Lottery. The UKGC can check to see if the operator fulfilled their consumer complaint obligations, but they do not address individual complaints.
Uk Gambling Commission Statistics
When it comes to dealing with operators, the UKGC is there as a means of regulation and obtaining a licence. They do not provide any sort of legal advice or advice on developing a gambling business. They can provide basic information on the Gambling Act and how they deal with regulation.
While most sports betting is covered by the UKGC, there is one component regulated by another entity. Spread betting is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA is able to provide more comprehensive regulation for this niche market.
This may sound obvious, but it is worth stating. The UKGC does not regulate all gambling websites. They only regulate online operators servicing consumers in Great Britain. The Gambling (Licencing and Advertising) Act 2014 requires that all online operators seeking to advertise to U.K. consumers must acquire a licence from the UKGC.
How Does The UKGC Ensure Compliance?
Just because an operator possesses a valid licence doesn’t mean they are fulfilling the obligations of that licence. This is where regulation comes in. The UKGC is tasked with ensuring operators are compliant with their licence with several avenues including:
- Carrying out routine visits and inspections
- Taking preventative action towards consumers that could potentially be a problem
- Imposing licencing conditions; including possible new conditions
- Reviewing financial information and assets
Helpful Links
FAQ’s
Does The UK Gambling Commission Make It Illegal To Gamble Online?
No. The UKGC only regulates the industry and considers online gambling illegal only if an operator is conducting business in the U.K. without a legitimate licence.
Uk Gambling Commission Licensees
What Happens If An Operator Is Not In Compliant With Their Licence?
British operators face regulatory action and will have their licence revoked.
Does The UKGC Handle Social Gambling Responsibility?
Yes. The UKGC works with the Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board. Together they examine the effects of problem gambling in order to introduce preventative measures.
Uk Gambling Commission Report
ARE THERE PENALTIES FOR US RESIDENTS WHO BET ON SPORTS ONLINE?
Uk Gambling Commission Register
Yes. There are multiple occurrences of the UKGC enforcing restrictions. A recent example came earlier this year when the UKGC fined William Hill, a UK bookmaker, for not protecting players after a money laundering scheme was uncovered.