The evolution of the internet is probably one of the most revolutionizing phenomena during modern time. One of the things that have grown very big and becomes more and more popular is online gambling with casinos, bingo and so on. Of course there has to be some rules and some kind of regulation since there’s so much money involved. There are different gambling commissions and license authorities in the world that assures players online about that different online casinos are following the rules and requirements.
For players from the United Kingdom there is something called the UK Gambling Commission and its task is to keep track of licensing and regulations of every site based in the UK as well as every gambling site that offers services to players from the UK. The goal is to keep gambling fair and safe for all.
What the Gambling Commission does
The UK Gambling Commission was founded back in 2005 under something called The Gambling Act and the main reason for this was to regulate any commercial gambling that occurs in Great Britain. They do this together with licensing authorities. Not only do the Gambling Commission control this – they also regulate the National Lottery.
Since the set up the Gambling Commission has been a non-departmental public body and it is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In late 2014 The Act came to life and this means that any operator who wish to transact and/or advertise to players in Great Britain must keep a license from the UK Gambling Commission.
Online casinos with a license from the Gambling Commission are safe since they’ve been controlled and therefore are crime free and safe to join. It can be operators that provide anything from gaming machines to arcades as well as betting, lotteries, bingo, casinos, gambling software and remote gambling. The UK Gambling Commission combat all kinds of illegal gambling activities and corruption. They gather information and keep evidence since they’re in partnership with other regulators as well as the police.
Casinos with a UK license
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Benefits with the licenses
So why should you go with an online casino that keeps a license from the UK Gambling Commission? Well, there are many benefits if you choose to gamble at a site that’s been controlled by the Gambling Commission and it is advised to do so. But there are of course other companies that tests and ensures you about online casinos fairness today. Some of the names you can keep an eye open for are eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI Test Labs Canada ULC, BLI Europe BV and so on. Much like the UK Gambling Commission these companies test different sites to make sure they fulfill the requirements of a safe and fair gambling environment online. Usually you will see the UK Gambling Commissions logo or any of the companies’ names when you scroll down on a website.
Requirements to fulfill
You’ve probably understood by now that there are some requirements in order to get a license from the UK Gambling Commission. If an operator doesn’t reach those standards there simply will not be a license. Let’s take session limits for example. In order to be licensed the online casino must offer a system in which the players will be able to set limits concerning how long they can play or how much money they can spend during a certain time.
The same goes for the auto play feature. Online casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission have to follow special rules when it comes to the auto play feature. It’s not unusual that there’s a limit that doesn’t allow more than 25 spins in a row during auto play in one specific slot. These regulations are set up to keep players safe and decrease the risk of being addicted. So if you ever experience problems of any kind when you’re gambling online you’re always welcome to contact the UK Gambling Commission.
Winnings and taxes
One question you might have as a player concerns your winnings. And the answer to if there’s any taxes connected to your money that you’ve won is no. Everything you win while gambling online will be yours because UK based players don’t have to pay taxes for their winnings. So don’t worry – be happy!
And since we’re on the topic “money” and “winnings” we think it’s good to know that the UK Gambling Commission doesn’t have a certain rule or law that says that players need to get their money within a certain time frame. But of course there is a strict code and regulations that licensed casinos should pay out the winnings as soon as possible.
Commissions and Licensing Authorities
Now we’ve only been focusing on the UK Gambling Commission but there are other Gambling Commissions and licensing authorities too in other countries. They all have in common that they’re working for your safety while gambling online. You’ve probably seen most of them if you’ve ever visited a few different casinos. Some of the most well-known are the Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner and the Governent of Curacao. No matter where you’re thinking about opening a new account – keep in mind to check out the site and scroll down to see if they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It goes really fast and assures you that you are playing at a safe and fair site.