United Kingdom

The UK has a rich history and some of the strictest legislation in the world. However, many operators are keen to offer their services in the country.

This is because more than half of the population regularly bets on sports or plays casino games. In addition, the presence of a UK gambling license significantly increases the prestige of the institution and causes increased trust among users, especially in online gambling.

United Kingdom: Casino with licenses

On the company's official website, you can check the online casino you are interested in for a license. It is enough just to specify the name of the institution. In addition, players can read information about the casino's violations and the Gambling Commission's sanctions, if any. For example, what fines have been imposed, and for what?

The number of UK-licensed casinos includes some pretty well-known companies, such as William Hill, Casumo, 888 Casino, and Energy Casino.

United Kingdom review

The UK gambling laws are considered to be the most stringent and comprehensive in the global gambling industry. Given the rich history and English meticulousness, the licensing authorities have now managed to bring order to the gambling industry in the country. UK players are the most protected, and the level of service provided in gambling establishments is very high.

The main law regulating gambling was adopted in 2005, during its operation it had several additions aimed at greater transparency of the industry for all participants.

• Arcades - this license is required if you install slot machines with a cash prize. That is, games where the value of the prize is higher than the value of the game fall into this category. For example, slot machines such as "Crane" (the player pays for the opportunity to pull a soft toy or other valuable prize).
• Betting - betting on sports carried out in land-based premises and remotely (online). And each type of activity is licensed separately.
• Bingo - Bingo games are licensed, regardless of the way of integration (online or offline).
• Casino - land-based and online establishments are licensed.
• Gambling software - a category of licenses required for manufacturers of casino software.
• Slot machines - license of this type is required for manufacturers of video slots, companies servicing these devices. In addition, this license allows the installation of slot machines.
• Lotteries -all games that fit the definition of "Lottery".
• Premises license - premises license is issued by the local authority.

It should be noted that virtually every type of gambling activity in the UK requires additional (auxiliary) licenses. For example, having obtained a gambling license for betting on sports in a land-based terminal, you must obtain a license to service electronic terminals, etc.

The Casinoz team also draws your attention to the fact that you must obtain permission to operate from the local authorities.

Gambling history in this country

Gambling in the UK has had quite a rich and interesting history. For most of the time, gambling was banned in the country. The first bans were introduced back in 1388 by the Lionheart King (Richard I) in his army and then throughout the kingdom. In 1664, an edict was signed limiting the amount of money lost to 100 pounds. In 1704, this limit was lowered to 10 pounds.

In the 18th century, horse racing and betting became fashionable in the country. This entertainment was initially popular with the aristocracy, but as time passed, more and more ordinary people became attracted to this type of gambling. Illegal bookmakers appeared, which was the reason for the adoption in 1835 of the law on the prohibition of bookmaking, although in general, it did not affect the situation on the market.

It took the industry about a hundred years to legalize, and in 1960, the relevant act was adopted, allowing bets to be taken legally. But underground bookmakers were in no hurry to "come out of the shadows" and provided their services disguised as other authorized activities.

The situation in the country was heating up, so the government decided to clean up the mess once and for all. In 1968, the "Law on Gambling" was adopted, which is still in force today.

The law regulating the ways and rules of conducting national lotteries was adopted in 1993. The main changes in the legislation occurred in 2005 when a new law on gambling was adopted. In general, this was dictated by modernity and the development of technology, including the ability to bet in online venues.

In 2014, several amendments were made to regulate gambling and advertising related to gambling.

The legalization of gambling has caused, according to recent studies, more than 63% of citizens to regularly bet on sports betting. In 2018, lobbyists spearheaded a new law to lower the maximum allowed bet from 100 pounds to 2 pounds. The impetus for this was the view that bookmakers were earning too much. This innovation was planned to be implemented in the fall of the same year but postponed until the end of 2019.

The overall political situation around the gambling industry in the UK is quite acute.

Factually, politicians are divided into two camps: some want to raise taxes, and others want to leave everything unchanged. It should be noted that the gambling industry brings more than 15 billion euros to the country's budget.

Licensing authority

The main regulatory body for gambling in the UK is the Gambling Commission. This organization issues licenses for online and land-based establishments, licenses the activities of manufacturers of gaming software (software and slot machines), the national lottery and sports betting. In addition, companies providing maintenance of gaming equipment are subject to compulsory licensing.

The Commission was established by the "Gambling Law" adopted in 2005 and began to perform its duties in full in 2007.

The rules that the organization adheres to when issuing licenses for casinos:

• It is not allowed that gambling may lead to disorder in any form. Or become a source of funding for illegal activities.
  
• Gambling activities must be conducted honestly and transparently
  
• Protection of the public and gambling addicts from gambling

Rules followed by the organization when issuing licenses for lotteries:

• Any lottery must be conducted by the rules;
• The interests of participants must be protected;
• The income from the National Lottery must be maximized.

Although the wording of the Gambling Commission's main rules is brief, they are quite lengthy, meaning they cover a lot of nuances. For example, mentioning gambling integrity implies many measures aimed at ensuring the integrity of the gambling process, its provability, and the ability to check each bet.

Besides licensing operators, the regulator monitors compliance with the law, handles player appeals, and provides advice to citizens. Great importance is given to reducing harm from gambling and protecting citizens' social rights.

Requirements for licensees

On the official website of the licensee company, companies wishing to provide access to gambling in the country can apply for the appropriate license online by filling out a special form. This site also provides comprehensive information regarding the requirements for the organizer of gambling and background information.

Main requirements for the company:

• It is necessary to comply with fair gaming rules and offer only licensed gambling;
  
• It is prohibited to use child labor or exploit minors for profit in any form. Children must not be allowed to gamble.
  
• Take all measures to restrict and ensure the safety of citizens with a propensity to gamble.
  
• To comply with UK legislation. Assist the relevant structures in combating money laundering, etc.

These are the fundamental criteria for evaluating a company that will obtain a gambling license in the UK. It is also necessary to prove its financial solvency by providing supporting documents. Pay a registration fee, the amount of which depends on the type of license.

For more details on licensee requirements, please refer to the LCCP (Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice). This set of rules is constantly updated and amended.

After obtaining a license, operators must submit the following reports to the Commission on a regular basis:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - the casino must develop and implement the ability to resolve disputes between the player and the casino without recourse to the licensee.
  
• Money Laundering - the operator is required to take measures to combat money laundering.
  
• Change of corporate control
  
• Information security breaches - it is necessary to make maximum efforts to protect the personal data of clients
  
• Key events
  
• Assessment of local risks
  
• Assessment of local risks
  
• Protection of customer funds
  
• Normative return
  
• Lottery (licensees only)
  
• Suspicious betting activity (betting holders only)
  

Conclusion

The UK Gambling Commission is currently the most respected licensee among players and online casinos. The small number of operators with this license confirms this fact, given the rather complex procedure and high requirements for obtaining it. According to Casinoz, it is well deserved.

The organization is very responsible for protecting players' rights and defending their interests. Although, in fact, directly and does not deal with complaints from users, the regulator has built a mechanism of self-regulation (ADR) in which the license holders are as loyal as possible to resolve disputes. In case of violation of license rules by online casinos, the commission is not stingy on fines, which amount to millions of pounds.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and there are some flaws in the gambling commission, but the organization is constantly developing and analyzing the gambling market, which makes it better.