Gambling is a popular pastime in the UK and there are tons of different options to choose from whether you want to bet online, at an event or in a bricks and mortar casino. But if you’re looking to get in on the action, there are certain rules and UK gambling regulations that you must follow to stay safe and play responsibly.
The British government is constantly reviewing gambling laws and regulations in an attempt to make sure that they are fit for the digital age and that new protections are introduced. However, the tension between those who believe that gambling should be banned altogether and those who think that there is no harm in a little bit of healthy betting has made it difficult to decide exactly what changes are needed to the regulatory framework.
A number of changes have already been proposed including new rules on age verification, the use of social responsibility tools, stake limits for online slot games and an ombudsman to deal with disputes between operators and players. It’s hoped that these measures will help to cut down on problem gambling and encourage responsible behaviour in the industry. In addition, new regulations will ensure that ads promoting gambling are not shown to people below the age of 18 and that bookmakers are required to display their customer support details clearly on their sites.
In terms of the specific legalities involved in gambling in the UK, there are a number of criminal offences that can be committed including illegally advertising, offering, promoting or operating a lottery. There are also restrictions on who can operate gaming machines such as fruit machines or betting terminals in the country and these require licences. The majority of these machines are operated by private companies and must comply with a number of conditions including clearly displaying odds and Return to Player percentages.
Most of the gambling activity in the UK is regulated by the Gambling Commission which represents the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The organisation is also responsible for the national gambling strategy and sets out the government’s policy on gambling, ensuring that the country is well-positioned in a global marketplace.
In addition to setting out the UK’s gambling strategy, the Gambling Commission is also responsible for licensing operators and imposing a number of regulations on the industry. There are a range of requirements that must be met by licence holders to operate in the country including having robust age verification systems, executing a responsible gambling programme and providing access to free treatment for problem gamblers. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in substantial fines. The Gambling Commission has taken a strong line on enforcement and has imposed a number of large fines on operators in the past. In some cases, the fines have been in excess of £1 million.