The United Kingdom has one of the most prestigious gambling markets, licensed and regulated by the UK GC. Commonly referred to as the Gambling Commission, this executive public body of the government is responsible for supervising gaming law and regulating the industry. It has been performing these tasks for more than 15 years and it is widely regarded as a strict but fair regulator. The goal of the Commission is to maintain a safe gaming environment while preventing criminal elements from infiltrating the industry. Since 2013, it is also responsible for regulating the National Lottery, the top organizer of games in the UK
What does the Commission regulate?
The UK GC plays a big role in regulating the land-based and online gambling market in the United Kingdom. It has sweeping authority over casinos, poker rooms, bookmakers and bingo rooms, as well as other gambling operators. The fact that it is also responsible for regulating the main lottery operators, including the National Lottery speaks volumes about its power.
When it comes to the types of gambling they regulate, it is worth including everything from our case, betting, bingo and casinos, UK slots to gaming machines and software providers, as well as remote gambling. In addition to these areas which are directly related to gambling, the Commission is also in charge of regulating gambling websites. Those that trade or advertise to UK customers need to do so under a license issued by the UK GC. They are responsible for issuing these licenses and they set the requirements.
How does the UK GC work?
The Commission was created to make sure that punters gambling in the UK enjoy a secure environment. To achieve this goal, the UK GC licenses gambling businesses as well as people working in this industry. For enhanced transparency, they have set out the License Conditions and Codes of Practice that prospective gambling operators need to know. They are also responsible for carrying out compliance activities and can undertake enforcement action if the new UK betting sites breached their license conditions.
The Commission is so effective in achieving its goals because it works closely with the gambling industry. Whenever a new set of rules is prepared, it is first discussed with all the relevant parties. This ensures that those involved, as well as those that might be affected by them, are fully aware of these changes. The Commission also provides advice and guidance to the public and players, in its quest of improving the gambling industry standards.
UK GC is not only a regulator of gambling in the UK but also the leading authority on statistics and research associated with gambling. One of the main concerns of the organization is to protect children and vulnerable people from gambling-related risks. So far, the Commission has met and occasionally exceeded expectations, by creating a secure gambling environment for UK players and operators alike.