The Uk Gambling Commission Changes in 2020
The UK Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act of 2015, a solely independent public body, funded by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sports. It is this very UK commission’s responsibility to regulate all types of commercial gambling.
It overlooks all sectors of gambling, including bingo, arcades, casino, lotteries, gambling software and all forms of remote gambling services. The only form of better which does not fall under its responsibilities is that of speed betting, which is covered by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Basics of UK Law
The legal age to gamble in the United Kingdom is 18 years. This applies to both online gambling and offline. Whether you are playing lotteries, casino games or bingo, all operators must follow this one specific rule.
The only exception to the rule pertains to football pool games and lottery, which in these cases, the legal age limit is 16 years.
When it comes to advertising, all operators are responsible to advertise ethically. This means that they cannot target children and all advertising has to be fair and transparent, without being misleading. Breaking any of the above rules can result in hefty fines and even prosecution.
The only way for a casino operator not to be considered a gambling site is if there are no monetary rewards available to the winner. In this case, players can expect rewards in other means rather than money.
How do the 2020 UK Gambling Laws Affect you
If you are a UK resident, you can sign up and play at some of the safest and trustworthy gambling markets. The UK has a reputation as one of the most rigorous regulatory markets in the world. The way it works is that the UK Gambling Commission, checks and evaluations all license applications to ensure that casino operators follow its established rules and regulations rigorously.
It also ensures that all casino bonus offers and promotions are not presented in any way that can be misleading. You can easily see a list of UK licensed operators here. There are strict regulations in place where operators must check all UK casino players are at least 18 years of age before they can gamble online. Failure to do so could result in malpractice. These tough rules and regulations are in place to safeguard your interest.
Before signing up to any online casino that comes your way, make sure to check that is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Make this a rule. The UK Gambling Commission is there for your own protection. If, for example, you feel mistreated by an online gambling operator, you can turn to the Commission or one of the many alternative dispute resolutions available.
It is also good to know that there are plenty of organisations in the UK, who are available to provide assistance with problem gambling and other additions. One additional benefit that you have a British gambler, is that your gambling winnings are not considered to be a taxable income. This means that you are exempt from paying tax on any money generated from gambling or betting.