Uk Online Gambling License

• Uk Online Gambling License Requirements
• Uk Online Gambling License Application
• Uk Online Gaming License
• Uk Online Gambling License Renewal
• Uk Online Gambling License Cost
• Uk Online Gambling License Cost

Gambling Commission Online Services. If you have any queries regarding what licence you need to apply for please see our website or contact info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk. As such, the UK Gambling Commission, under its remote gambling supervision, regulates all internet sites including all the best online casinos in the UK. The license is regarded as one of the strictest in the world and is often used as a framework when a country changes its own regulations or implements legal gambling for the first time.

If you are looking for online casinos and gambling sites that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, then you will be happy to hear that there are many of them around.

Uk Online Gambling License Requirements

However, not all these non UK casinos offer the best services to players, so you still need to consider some factors when choosing the best ones.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of non-UK licensed casinos, and we will review some of the top ones around.

Top Non UK Gambling Sites

Checking the Licences of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

The fact that an online casino is not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission does not mean that you cannot trust it. There are several other licensing bodies in the iGaming industry that have made a solid name for themselves over the years, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao Gambling Authority, and the Swedish Gambling Authority. Before you choose any non-UK licensed casino, we recommend that you should check the licensing information of the casino and verify it using the following steps:

• Copy the licence number of the casino (usually at the footer of the casino site)
• Visit the website of the licensing body
• Search the licence number if it is valid.

Licensing authorities that issue licences to non UK casino sites have strict rules and regulations that their licensees need to follow. Any casino that fails to adhere by these rules may be fined by the licensing authority, or have its licence revoked. If the casino also fails to deliver promised services or tries to swindle players, you can easily report it to its licensing body. However, you should always stay clear of an online casino that has no operating licence that can be verified.

In some cases, such as with the Curaçao Gaming Authority, online casinos may be licensed under a Master License. You will often see the information of the Master License along with the registration number of a casino on the website. To date, the Curaçao Gaming Authority has only issued 4 master licences. These master licence holders are responsible for granting sublicenses to online casinos. You can read reviews online about the licensing authority of a non-UK licensed casino before choosing it.

Benefits of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Playing at top non-UK licensed casinos comes with several benefits. First, these casinos often feature a wide range of games from diverse providers, and this will give you plenty of options as to which games to play. Apart from that, the best non-UK casinos sites also often offer more bonuses and promotions, and they host several tournaments that players from different parts of the world can participate in. This way, you will enjoy massive entertainment as you play your favourite games.

• Non-UK licensed casinos offer more bonuses and promotions
• They often feature a broad collection of games
• Creating an account is often easier at non-UK licensed casinos

Another notable benefit of playing at a non-UK licensed gambling site is that the registration process is usually faster and there is less identity verification. This means that you may not have to start uploading tons of documents just to create an account or withdraw winnings that you made at the casino. A few non-UK casino sites can even go as far as allowing players to remain completely anonymous by not requesting information about their identity.

Payment Methods and Security at Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Non UK licensed casinos often support payment methods that you may be unable to use if you are playing at a UK licensed casino. For example, many gambling sites that are licensed by the UKGC do not permit the use of credit/debit cards for deposit transactions based, but non-UK casino sites do. Aside from that, they may accept methods such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Etherium, and Dogecoin, e-wallets like Paypal and EcoPayz, and vouchers like Paysafecard.

• Non-UK casino sites often support a wide range of payment methods not available at UKGC-licensed casinos.
• Top non-UK licensed casinos and sportsbooks secure their website using SSL encryption.

In addition to supporting a wide range of payment methods, top non-UK gambling sites always secure their website using topnotch technologies such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and firewalls. With these technologies, the operators of these casinos can protect both financial and personal information of players from falling into the wrong hands. The best non-UK casinos also employ independent audit organisations such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs to audit their games regularly and ensure players have the same winning chances.

Drawbacks of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Despite the many benefits of non-UK licensed casinos, there are still some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. First, these casinos do not abide by the laws of the UK since they are not licensed under their jurisdiction. Aside from that, your deposits are not protected under the law, and there is a high chance that some of these non-UK gambling sites will not accept deposit and withdrawal transactions in GBP (Great Britain Pounds).

Another notable drawback of non-UK casinos is that there may be no protection for problem gamblers. According to the UK gambling laws, online casinos and sports betting sites that are licensed by the UKGC are often required to provide payers with responsible gaming tools. Aside from that, problem gamblers may use services such as Gamstop to self-exclude themselves from UKGC-licensed casinos. However, these services might not be able to accept such gamblers at non-UK licensed casino sites.

There are also cases where non-UK licensed casinos may not have games from popular providers in the iGaming industry. This means that you may find several unknown games, and you may be unable to play your favourite games. Another drawback that you may experience at a non-UK licence casino is the unavailability of some payment methods such as Stripe and Payforit. In addition, the processing speed of deposits and withdrawal transactions at some non-UK casino sites may be slow.

1. Non-UK casinos may not accept GBP currency
2. They may not feature your favourite games
3. Non-UK licensed casinos are usually not affected by gambling services such as Gamstop

Considerations Playing at Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Now that we've explained both the benefits and drawbacks of non-UK licensed casinos, you need to be aware of a few things when signing up. Every online casino specifies its minimum gambling age based on the laws of the licensing body it adheres to. Usually, this is 18 years old at most non-UK gambling sites. However, we suggest that you always check with the casino, and you should also consider the legal gambling age specified in the UK Gambling law.

It is equally important that you check if the non-UK casino that you want to join is mobile optimised. Based on statistics, over 79% of adults in the UK have a smartphone as of 2019. This means that UK players, as well as players from other parts of the world, will want to access casino games from their mobile devices. Thus, you should ensure that the casino has a mobile-optimised site that allows you to enjoy games on the go.

Read Reviews About the Non-UK Licensed Casinos Before Joining

If you are looking for online casinos and gambling sites that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, then you will be happy to hear that there are many of them around.

Uk Online Gambling License Requirements

However, not all these non UK casinos offer the best services to players, so you still need to consider some factors when choosing the best ones.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of non-UK licensed casinos, and we will review some of the top ones around.

Top Non UK Gambling Sites

Checking the Licences of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

The fact that an online casino is not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission does not mean that you cannot trust it. There are several other licensing bodies in the iGaming industry that have made a solid name for themselves over the years, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao Gambling Authority, and the Swedish Gambling Authority. Before you choose any non-UK licensed casino, we recommend that you should check the licensing information of the casino and verify it using the following steps:

• Copy the licence number of the casino (usually at the footer of the casino site)
• Visit the website of the licensing body
• Search the licence number if it is valid.

Licensing authorities that issue licences to non UK casino sites have strict rules and regulations that their licensees need to follow. Any casino that fails to adhere by these rules may be fined by the licensing authority, or have its licence revoked. If the casino also fails to deliver promised services or tries to swindle players, you can easily report it to its licensing body. However, you should always stay clear of an online casino that has no operating licence that can be verified.

In some cases, such as with the Curaçao Gaming Authority, online casinos may be licensed under a Master License. You will often see the information of the Master License along with the registration number of a casino on the website. To date, the Curaçao Gaming Authority has only issued 4 master licences. These master licence holders are responsible for granting sublicenses to online casinos. You can read reviews online about the licensing authority of a non-UK licensed casino before choosing it.

Benefits of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Playing at top non-UK licensed casinos comes with several benefits. First, these casinos often feature a wide range of games from diverse providers, and this will give you plenty of options as to which games to play. Apart from that, the best non-UK casinos sites also often offer more bonuses and promotions, and they host several tournaments that players from different parts of the world can participate in. This way, you will enjoy massive entertainment as you play your favourite games.

• Non-UK licensed casinos offer more bonuses and promotions
• They often feature a broad collection of games
• Creating an account is often easier at non-UK licensed casinos

Another notable benefit of playing at a non-UK licensed gambling site is that the registration process is usually faster and there is less identity verification. This means that you may not have to start uploading tons of documents just to create an account or withdraw winnings that you made at the casino. A few non-UK casino sites can even go as far as allowing players to remain completely anonymous by not requesting information about their identity.

Payment Methods and Security at Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Non UK licensed casinos often support payment methods that you may be unable to use if you are playing at a UK licensed casino. For example, many gambling sites that are licensed by the UKGC do not permit the use of credit/debit cards for deposit transactions based, but non-UK casino sites do. Aside from that, they may accept methods such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Etherium, and Dogecoin, e-wallets like Paypal and EcoPayz, and vouchers like Paysafecard.

• Non-UK casino sites often support a wide range of payment methods not available at UKGC-licensed casinos.
• Top non-UK licensed casinos and sportsbooks secure their website using SSL encryption.

In addition to supporting a wide range of payment methods, top non-UK gambling sites always secure their website using topnotch technologies such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and firewalls. With these technologies, the operators of these casinos can protect both financial and personal information of players from falling into the wrong hands. The best non-UK casinos also employ independent audit organisations such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs to audit their games regularly and ensure players have the same winning chances.

Drawbacks of Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Despite the many benefits of non-UK licensed casinos, there are still some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. First, these casinos do not abide by the laws of the UK since they are not licensed under their jurisdiction. Aside from that, your deposits are not protected under the law, and there is a high chance that some of these non-UK gambling sites will not accept deposit and withdrawal transactions in GBP (Great Britain Pounds).

Another notable drawback of non-UK casinos is that there may be no protection for problem gamblers. According to the UK gambling laws, online casinos and sports betting sites that are licensed by the UKGC are often required to provide payers with responsible gaming tools. Aside from that, problem gamblers may use services such as Gamstop to self-exclude themselves from UKGC-licensed casinos. However, these services might not be able to accept such gamblers at non-UK licensed casino sites.

There are also cases where non-UK licensed casinos may not have games from popular providers in the iGaming industry. This means that you may find several unknown games, and you may be unable to play your favourite games. Another drawback that you may experience at a non-UK licence casino is the unavailability of some payment methods such as Stripe and Payforit. In addition, the processing speed of deposits and withdrawal transactions at some non-UK casino sites may be slow.

1. Non-UK casinos may not accept GBP currency
2. They may not feature your favourite games
3. Non-UK licensed casinos are usually not affected by gambling services such as Gamstop

Considerations Playing at Non-UK Licensed Casinos

Now that we've explained both the benefits and drawbacks of non-UK licensed casinos, you need to be aware of a few things when signing up. Every online casino specifies its minimum gambling age based on the laws of the licensing body it adheres to. Usually, this is 18 years old at most non-UK gambling sites. However, we suggest that you always check with the casino, and you should also consider the legal gambling age specified in the UK Gambling law.

It is equally important that you check if the non-UK casino that you want to join is mobile optimised. Based on statistics, over 79% of adults in the UK have a smartphone as of 2019. This means that UK players, as well as players from other parts of the world, will want to access casino games from their mobile devices. Thus, you should ensure that the casino has a mobile-optimised site that allows you to enjoy games on the go.

Read Reviews About the Non-UK Licensed Casinos Before Joining

An easy approach to choosing the best non-UK licensed gambling site is to read honest reviews about them online. By reading reviews about these casinos and sportsbooks, you will know what the quality of the services they render is. Apart from that, you will be able to tell if the casino has a good reputation in the iGaming industry. You should always avoid any gambling site that has a bad reputation or rating, as it is likely set up to swindle players.

You can also join trusted non-UK licensed casino forums to know what other players think about the casino. Players are known to share their experiences and offer advice on forums, so by joining a good forum, you can tell if a particular non-UK casino site is the right choice for you. We also recommend that you only play at a non-UK licensed gambling site that provides stellar customer support and attends to enquires and complaints swiftly.

Our Top Non UK Licensed Casinos

In this section, we will review a few of our recommended top non-UK licensed casinos that you can consider creating an account with. The first casino is Triumph Casino, which has been around since 2010 and licensed under the jurisdiction of Curaçao Gaming Authority. The casino offers a broad collection of exciting games from leading developers, and it also offers impressive bonuses to both new and existing customers. As a plus, the casino does not ask for ID, thus making it easy to join.

Another top non-UK casino that offers premium services is Casino Napoli. The casino holds a valid licence from a Master License under Curaçao Gaming Authority, and it is home to a wide array of games such as slots, live dealer games, table games, instant win games, and speciality games. Besides that, it is famous for its mouthwatering bonuses and for supporting different kinds of payment methods that make it easy to deposit and cash out winnings.

Jackpot Charm Casino and Crazyno Casino

Jackpot Charm Casino is an online casino that operates under the Curaçao jurisdiction. The casino accepts players from the UK as well as other places around the world. Apart from that, it has a large plethora of interesting games that come with amazing features and offer good payouts. Jackpot Charm Casino offers new players a lucrative welcome bonus, and existing players can also claim other kinds of bonuses such as free spins, match bonuses and reload bonuses.

Crazyno Casino is also a Curaçao-licensed casino that has been operational since 2015. The casino can be accessed by UK players, and it showcases a wide range of games from top developers. Crazyno Casino is popular for its impressive bonuses and promotional offers as well as its efficient 24/7 customer support. To make depositing funds and withdrawing winnings easy for players, the operator supports several kinds of payment methods, and it also allows transactions in GBP.

Fortune Clock Casino and Leo Monaco Casino

Another good non-UK licensed online casino is Fortune Clock Casino. The casino is regulated by the government of Curaçao and it accepts players from several parts of the world including the UK. Fortune Clock Casino partners with top developers to provide players with a massive collection of games to enjoy. The casino site is mobile-optimised and easy to navigate. In addition, players can claim several bonuses and promotions at the casino, and the casino website is SSL-secured.

Leo Monaco Casino is a top non-UK licensed casino site that is licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Authority. It offers players several amazing games and also has a sportsbook section. In addition, the casino offers awesome bonuses to players and the odds it assigns to its sports betting events are quite high. Leo Monaco provides premium customer support to its players and it accepts popular payment methods. Another upside of the casino is that it supports GBP.

Types of Non UK Licensed Casinos

There are several types of non-UK licensed casinos in the iGaming industry, These casinos are categorised based on the types of games that they feature. Slots sites are casinos that offer different kinds of slots to players, such as classic slots, multiplier slots, progressive slots, 3D slots and so on. Slots are among the most popular online casino games, so they are commonly found at most non-UK licensed casinos. Some slot sites even offer their slot titles in free mode.

Poker sites are another type of non-UK casinos. Poker is a skilled game, and it is one of the most popularly laid card-based game around the world. Several top non-UK licensed casino sites, such as Tiger Gaming, provide players with different variations of poker games that they can enjoy without having to step a foot out of their homes. Among the popular poker variations that you'll find at top gambling sites that are not licensed by UKGC are Omaha Hi and Texas Hold'Em.

Sports Betting Sites and Bingo Sites

Some non-UK gambling sites focus on offering sports betting services. These gambling sites feature a wide range of sports events such as football, rugby, golf, tennis and volleyball. They assign odds to each sports event and allow players to place different kinds of bets. Among the popular bets that you can place in sports is the 3-way bet (win-draw-win) and under/over goals/points bet. Some top non-UK sportsbooks may allow you to stream the sports events in real-time on their website.

Bingo sites are another type of non-UK licensed gambling site. Bingo is one of the most popular lottery-style games played in the UK, and top non-UK casinos offer different variations of the game which players can play in free mode and for real money. Other games that you can also play at most non-UK licensed casinos include roulette, blackjack, keno, scratchcards, sic bo, and several others. Some of these games offer thousands of pounds as winnings if you get lucky.

Live Dealer Games at Non UK Licensed Casinos

Several top non-UK casinos feature live dealer games on their lobby. Live dealer games offer players a gaming experience similar to that of land-based casinos. They are actual games that are hosted in the studio of a game developer, and you can play against a human dealer and other players in different countries. These developers use state-of-the-art technologies to send the real-time video feed of the games to players devices, thus giving them the feeling of being at the actual game tables.

Live dealer games featured by top non-UK gambling sites usually come with several impressive features, such as live chat. With the live chat, you can communicate with the dealer and other players in real-time. Some of the common live dealer games you can play on your desktop and mobile devices include Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and Live Baccarat. When you visit the website of a non-UK licensed online casino, you can check its games lobby to know if it features live dealer games.

Downloadable Mobile Apps at Non-UK Casinos

Impressively, some online casinos and bookmakers that are not licensed by UKGC but accept UK players offer a downloadable mobile app that players can install on their smartphone and tablets running iOS or Android OS. With these mobile applications, you can enjoy the games and services offered by these top non-UK licensed casinos on the go, as long as you are connected to the internet. Some casinos even offer exclusive bonuses to players who use their mobile applications.

Most top non-UK licensed casinos are instant play casinos. This means that they feature games that are designed using HTML technology, so you can play them without installing any special software. However, some of these casinos may also provide apps that you can install on your desktop computer so that you can choose the mode of access that you prefer. To know if a non-UK casino offers a downloadable app for desktop computers and mobile devices, simply visit its website or contact the casino's support.

Bonuses at Non-UK Licensed Casinos

As we stated earlier, one of the advantages of non-UK licensed casinos is that they offer massive bonuses and promotions. As a new player, you will be able to claim an impressive welcome bonus offer when you register with any of our recommended casinos. In most cases, the welcome bonus is offered over a specific number of deposits. There are also some top non-UK casino sites that offer no deposit welcome bonuses to players in the form of free spins.

Most of our recommended top non-UK licensed casinos also offer loyalty rewards to players based on the activity of their account. For example, some casinos can allow you to claim loyalty points each time you place a real money bet on some games. You can then trade these points for bonuses such as free spins, free plays, and in some cases, actual cash. To know the bonuses offered by a non-UK casino, simply check the promotions or bonus page of its website.

Why Bonus T&Cs are Important

An essential thing to consider when checking the bonuses offered by a non-UK licensed casino is the terms and conditions that govern the use of the bonuses. This is because the bonus T&Cs determines the true value of the bonuses and how easy it will be for you to win actual money from them. One of the common bonus terms to consider is the wagering requirement, which states the number of times you must bet the bonus to withdraw winnings from it.

Overseas Spot for Non-UK Licensed Casinos

According to statistics, a minimum of 31.1% of people in the UK gamble weekly. Some of these gamblers bet at different online casinos that are not licensed under the jurisdiction of the UK Gambling Commission because of the benefits they offer. One of the common spots for non-UK licensed casinos is the European Union market. The EU online casino market is growing at an exponential rate, and most EU casinos now allow players from the UK to gamble at their site.

The USA casino market is popular iGaming market that offers gambling services to players in the UK and many other countries around the world. One of the good things about USA casinos is that they partner with the best game developers in the industry to offer premium and enjoyable games to players. These non UK licensed casinos also have good bonuses and promotions that players can claim, and they permit deposits and withdrawals using credit/debit cards, which is not possible at UKGC-licensed casinos.

• Common overseas spots for non-UK licensed casinos are the European Union, USA, Gibraltar, Sweden and Australia
• Each gambling market may differ in some aspects of the services they offer

Another foreign spot for non-UK licensed online casinos is Gibraltar. Casinos that operate using a Gibraltar licence are known to be strict and trustworthy. Apart from that, they have a wide games selection and support several popular payment methods. This makes them a popular choice for UK players who want to gamble at offshore casinos. Other notable sports for non-UK casinos include Sweden and Australia. You may consider reading the gambling laws of these different jurisdictions to know what to expect at their online casinos.

Non-UK Licensed Casino Sites After Brexit

As a player in the UK, you may be worried about what will happen to your favourite non-UK licensed casino after Brexit. Well, nothing has been stated so far concerning that, and since the UK gambling law specifically forbids players from betting at a non-UKGC casino, there is a high chance that nothing will change. Nevertheless, you can count on us to keep you updated if any changes occur as regards using non-UK licensed casinos in the future.

For now, however, you can enjoy playing at non-UK casinos that accept UK players without any issues. But always remember that you need to choose the best non-UK licensed casinos for you to enjoy a top-quality gaming experience. Always remember to check the licence of the casino you want to join and ensure that it has a good reputation in the gaming industry. Besides that, don't forget to consider factors such as the games featured, payment methods supported and bonuses offered by the casino.

Our Conclusion

This comprehensive guide has shed light on the non-UK licensed casinos. While it is true that many UKGC-licensed casinos are trustworthy and offers good services, you can equally enjoy a similar or even better experience at top non-licensed casinos. Nevertheless, you should always consider the advantages and disadvantages of casinos that are not licensed by UKGC before you decide to join any. If you follow the tips that we've provided in this guide, you will be able to find the best non-licensed casinos.

Non UK Licensed Casinos FAQ

Uk Online Gambling License Application

Non-UK casinos offer games like slots, live games and table games.

Yes, so long it is licensed by a top licensing body.

They offer impressive bonuses, and in some cases, more games.

They may not support GBP or accept some payment methods.

Top non-UK online casinos secure their website using SSL and firewalls.

Last Updated on

In the UK it is a criminal offence to commercially take bets or offer a betting exchange service if you do not have a Gambling Commission (GC) license.

In this article we list bookmakers license numbers from our own recommanded bookies, we explain why gambling licences are needed in the first place, what they mean for operators, how bookmakers get hold of these licences and what happened if they contravene the conditions of the commission. We also discuss gambling law, including the latest Gambling Act 2014 and what this means for both the betting industry and the punter.

Gambling law in the United Kingdom provides some of the most stringent legislation and protections in the world. Gambling licences are in place to protect not only punters from unlicensed operators but also to protect bookmakers and betting operators.

• Gambling Law:

Gambling License Details For Major UK Bookmakers

Is Gambling Online Legal in the UK?

The simple answer is yes but only under licence. It may surprise many that up until 2005 the industry was unregulated online and until 2014 operators based outside the UK didn't have to have a UK licence. If you gamble with an agent that does not possess a licence they are operating illegally and you risk losing your funds.

Clicking on the licence numbers in the table above and this will take you to that operator's specific gambling commission issued licence. You can also search for licences of operators not in the table. Never gamble with a betting website from within the UK that doesn't have a licence, if you do your funds will have no protection under the law.

What is a Gambling Licence

This is a licence that all gambling providers who are based in or operate in the UK are required to have. This came in to force under the Gambling Act of 2005 and stipulates that anyone wishing to commercially advertise to or transact with customers for the purposes of gambling must carry a licence.

To apply for a licence companies are required to demonstrate they have several protections in place for the prevention of crime and protection of customers.

The Gambling Commission was set up to issue and administer licences. You can check if an operator has a licence by visiting their site. Operators must also display their licence details properly on their website or premises. You will either see a reference for the licence or the full licence number, either can be searched on the commission's website. In the table at the top of this page we list all the licence numbers for bookmakers reviewed on our site. Clicking the number will take you to their individual licence.

Often licences are held by holding companies that then operate several branded gambling entities. Each bookmaker listed on this site have a full UK gambling licence, details of which can be found in the table or in our betting site reviews.

It is quite amazing in a way to think that internet gambling went unregulated until 2005 and in many countries it still is. This is why betting in the UK betting and gaming industry is now one of the safest in the world.

Who Are The Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission was originally set up in 2005 under the previous gambling Act. The body is an independent non-departmental public body that receives funding and support from the UK governments department for culture, media and sport. The commission acts as regulator for all commercial gambling operators including bingo, bookmakers, casinos, gaming arcades, etc. The commission is also responsible for regulating lotteries in the UK including the National Lottery since taking over the responsibilities of the National Lottery Commission in 2013.

The commission employ over 250 people, are based in Birmingham and are largely funded by licence fees paid by bookmakers and other operators. The gambling commission do not cover spread betting and other forms of index betting, this falls under the jurisdiction of the financial conduct authority (FCA).

For more about the UK Gambling Commission read our dedicated guide.

What Do the Gambling Commission Do?

The GC have some principal objectives:

• Crime Prevention – This is both in terms of preventing illegal bookmaking (protecting the punter) and betting fraud from punters (protecting the bookie).
• Promote and Open Industry – This includes promoting honesty about betting operations and gambling including responsible gambling. For example offers, terms and bonuses need to clear and transparent without conflicting or false language.
• Protect Venerable People – Possibly the most important aim of the commission ensure children under the age of 18 and vulnerable people are prevented from gambling. This includes age and identity checking and monitoring. See responsible gambling.

What Don't the Gambling Commission Do?

The commission is there is ensure a safe and responsible industry they will not:

• Mediate Customer Complaints – Operators must have their own systems in place to properly handle complaints. If you want to escalate a complaint you can use the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) service. Read our complaints article for more.
• Legal Advice – They will not give advice but they will give general information pertaining to the Gambling Act or any relevant legislation.
• Check Every Gambling Website – Whilst it is the law that operators need to possess a licence to operate in the UK it is up to you to check there is a licence in place before you gamble.

How Do The Gambling Commission Regulate?

The commission is limited in its scope and resources so they will always attempt to mediate disputes and will only take legal action in cases that present the greatest risks to the licensing objectives.

If operators fail to comply with the Licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP) then the commission will step in. If you feel you know of an operator who are not meeting the LCCP you can report them anonymously to the commission.

In rare events where illegal activity is serious enough the GC has the power to revoke licences and issue legal action against operators. All major legal action and information is published on their website.

In general the GC are seen as a body that are trying to work with bookmakers and other gambling agents to ensure a safe industry rather than being an enforcement agency.

Gambling Law and Legislation in the UK

There are specific laws on all aspects of commercial gambling from prizes and games run in public houses to gaming machines, remote operators and fees and duty charges.

For a full list of all gambling legislation see the commissions own gambling related legislation page.

Gambling Act 2005

The act of 2005 was brought in to give the UK government greater means of regulating a diverse gambling industry. This was the first major piece of legislation since the Betting and Gaming Act 1960. In fact it legislated the creation of the Gambling Commission itself as an independent body to enforce and regulate the contents of the Act.

The country had reached a point where gaming needed renewed legislation with the new millennium seeing a glut of new ways to gamble from fixed odds terminals in shops, new lottery games and more advanced gaming arcades. The act was also brought in to also regulate online betting for the first time.

Basically the 2005 gambling act is designed to enforce the principal objectives of the gambling commission described above with specific legislation such as fee limits, payout limits etc., for individual aspects (such as how much a fruit machine in a pub can pay out).

Gambling Bill 2014

The 2014 Gambling (Licencing and Advertising) Bill is effectively an add-on to the 2005 legislation. This is more encompassing and more focused towards online and remote betting to ensure all gambling companies that operate in the UK fall under the law and the GC, wherever they are actually bases. This makes it easier to define what gambling is and whether a company and its advertisers are permitted to operate in Great Britain.

One important aspect of the 2014 act is to ensure that off shore operators are also required to have a UK gambling licence to advertise in the UK. As most online bookmakers are based in the likes of Gibraltar or Malta this was a critical piece of legislation. It also entitled the government to a 15% tax on gross profits earned in the UK.

History of UK Gambling Law

Uk Online Gaming License

Gambling and betting through history has courted much attention. It has been banned or restricted several times by various monarchs and the republican Oliver Cromwell, who banned most sports and betting with his puritan ways. In 1541 the Unlawful Games Act was enacted by the parliament of England and was designed to restrict several new games. The idea at the time was new games and sports were causing the death of archery as young adolescents became distracted by newer ventures.

The 1541 act didn't necessarily restrict gambling directly but did so by proxy in banning the sports and games occurring in the first place. It took however until 1845 for the British establishment to issue binding legislation on gambling in the Gaming Act of 1845.

The gaming act was actually designed to discourage betting. It made a bet unenforceable as a contract under law and therefore an illegal action. Basically meaning if you bet it is illegal under law and you do so at your own risk meaning someone could walk off with your cash. This wasn't actually rescinded until 2001 and needless to say it didn't really stop people gambling.

The 1892 Gaming Act created an exception for the Totalisator (tote) board. This allowed on track betting at race courses in Great Britain but betting and gambling off course was still illegal up until 1960 (with the exception of the football pools) The 1960 Act saw the final repeal of the 1845 gaming act.

Up until 1960 it was however legal to place bets by post or over the telephone. Many bookmakers got around this by employing 'runners' that would take bets from a public phone to the bookmaker. Mr William Hill is a famous early bookie who did what he could to circumvent these laws.

The Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 famously removed the restriction on offsite betting and led to the opening of the first betting shops in 1961. Many cite this as the beginning of the end for greyhound racing and some smaller horse racing meetings in particular.

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This worked well enough until the end of the 20th Century, however new forms of betting such as gaming machines and critically the internet meant that new legislation was needed. This was seen in the form of the 2005 Act and 2014 Bill.

Customer Complaints & Protection

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The objectives of the the UK government, the gambling commission and bookmakers is to generally protect customers by creating a safe, fair and open environment. The gambling commission will not however mediate individual customer complaints over disputed funds.

You can however report gambling operators (either online or physical) if you think they are contravening the gambling code and putting people at risk. If you think you have been mislead by advertising you are better off contacting the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).

For information on IBAS, the body that mediates disputes between bookmakers and customers, read our IBAS page or for more general dispute advice read our how to make a complaint to a bookmaker article.

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Responsible Gambling

A core objective of the GC is to ensure all operators actively promote responsible gambling. See our article for all features and information relating to responsible gambling.