The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), established in 2005 under the Gambling Act, is the non-departmental executive body of the Government that monitors and regulates all gambling-related activities in the United Kingdom. It aims to protect players and consumers, to keep crime out of gambling, and also to ensure fairness and safety in all sectors of the industry. Furthermore, it aims to optimise lottery funds, applying them to good causes and community projects.
Regulations and Rules
The Board of Commissioners, appointed by the Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport sets the overall strategy of corporate governance and ensures the fulfillment of statutory objectives. It’s backed by several decision-making groups and committees. These departments help regulate the national lottery and also the audit and remuneration committees.
Registration Process
The United Kingdom has one of the strictest and most diligent gambling jurisdictions in the world. The strict standards required by the Gambling Commission to conduct business in its territory are quite rigorous, meaning that holding a UKGC licence is a strong indicator of fairness and legality. These authorities are able to issue operating licences as well as low-level gambling licences to pubs and other sorts of establishments.
Business owners and companies may apply online, and the strict rules and criteria that guide the UKGC must be followed in order for the application to proceed for a review by the regulatory authority. Licences are issued only after the assessment procedure is complete, and unless they are revoked or suspended, last for an indefinite period of time.
Types of Casino Licenses
Rather than issuing one single licence covering the various activities of the online gaming world, the Commission offers remote operating licences for each of the activities the operator wishes to run. These range from casinos to lotteries, bingo, gaming machines, and other gaming software.
The Commission issues different types of licences: an operating licence for businesses (from arcades to casinos, gambling software, machines, and lotteries), two types of personal licences (management and functional) and a premises licence. Operating and personal licences are issued by the Commission, whilst a premises licence is issued by the operator’s local authority. Licence holders must ensure that during their activity all responsible steps are carried out in order to comply with the licensing conditions, as well as keeping technical competence up to date.
Responsible Gambling Online
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission takes responsible gaming seriously, and the creation of a safe and responsible gambling environment is at the centre of their activities towards helping addicted gamblers in need. The UKGC works in close partnership with Be Gamble Aware and Gamecare (which operates the National Gambling Helpline), two of the major resource providers of help and assistance to everyone with gambling-related issues.
The UKGC website provides several consumer guides on relevant topics about the industry to raise awareness of safe and responsible gambling practices. They also provide a thorough guide on how to avoid scams and frauds. For players who wish to exclude themselves from gambling for at least six months, there’s the possibility of making an agreement and a multi-operator, self-exclusion facility called GAMSTOP is being developed.