The UKGC is well-known as a respected gambling regulatory body. However, not everyone knows precisely what the UKGC does and why. As gambling and casino gaming becomes more streamlined, a credible organization to regulate and monitor these activities is needed. The UK Gambling Commission is the body in charge of this. It is a non-departmental executive body of the United Kingdom’s government. Read on as we provide a comprehensive description of the Gambling Commission and demonstrate how it functions.
Why the UKGC Exists
In the past, all gambling facilities were subject to the country’s laws in which they were located. However, in the wake of the internet, new rules were required to ensure that businesses, especially gambling businesses, acted responsibly and did not attempt to defraud or exploit players. As a result, the British government established the UK Gambling Commission to establish ground rules and regulations for any businesses seeking to gain access to British punters, whether online or offline.
The UK Gambling Commission’s goal is to protect British players from being duped or threatened by greedy gambling firms, and the organization’s primary focus is on the players’ best interests. The UKGC is a non-profit organization that works to protect the rights of British gamblers.
Indeed, the UK Gambling Commission is in charge of only issuing gambling licenses to companies that act responsibly. These licenses are required by law for any organization that wishes to accept money in exchange for a chance to win a prize. This means that it has authority over things like the National Lottery. On the other hand, spread betting is exempt from the UK
Gambling Commission’s powers and obligations and is now controlled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The UKGC works in three major areas; gambling businesses, the public, and licensing authorities.
Functions of the UKGC
License issuing: The UK Gambling Commission’s key functions are to keep crime out of gambling and license and control operators. This is to ensure that wagering is conducted openly and equitably and to protect children and vulnerable individuals. The Gambling Commission has the legal right to inspect and audit their licensees’ financial activities. The UKGC may issue amendment recommendations, set or withdraw supplementary license requirements, or take action and correct based on these examinations’ results. This is done to prevent wrongdoing, resulting in the operator receiving varying penalties or directly revoking their license.
Even though the 2005 Gambling Act imposed several mandatory restrictions on the UK gambling industry, online operators were not allowed to obtain a license from the UK Gambling Commission. This has changed as the number of online scams, and illegal activity has increased. Any remote gambling operator must have a license from the UKGC to continue operating in the country, according to the 2014 Gambling Act.
Player Protection: Protecting your personal and financial data is one of the most compelling reasons to play only at UKGC-approved casinos and gambling establishments. In line with the Data Protection Act, the UKGC has stringent requirements for gambling firms to ensure that punters’ data is safely protected and not misused. The UKGC is worried about more than just online casinos stealing your personal information. They also ensure that the organization in question is capable of defending against cyber-attacks that could expose player information. A gambling license would not be issued to a corporation that does not have adequate protection against such attacks.
Operator accountability: This is also similar to player protection. The UK Gambling Commission, for example, provides crucial regulations to ensure that casinos treat their customers fairly and responsibly. Casinos are ultimately accountable to the UKGC due to this legislation, which gives a great deal of protection to customers who use their services. Indeed, if a player is dissatisfied with an online casino operator’s conduct, they can make a complaint with the commission, which will then investigate the matter. However, if a player were to compete with an unregulated casino, they would be unable to do so, and they would face an almost daunting challenge in attempting to bring the casino to court to seek a resolution.
Player Funds Separation: One of the most significant factors the UKGC considers when examining an online casino’s structure and finances is whether or not the business keeps player funds separate from operational cash. This is important because if a casino goes bankrupt or
into administration, this will ensure that players’ funds are secure and will not be lost. The UKGC checking that player funds are kept apart from operational costs will give players peace of mind that their money will not be lost without their knowledge when they use the casino.
How to Spot a UKGC Regulated Online Casino
If you want to check if a casino is approved and controlled by the UK Gambling Commission, you have two options: first, check the online casino reviews at WeGamble, and secondly, check the UKGC website directly. To find out whether a gambling company has a gambling license:
- Go to the UKGC’s public registry of license holders. Click “Search for gambling businesses” once you’ve arrived at the correct page. You can then check for the company in question by typing in the company name or the UKGC license reference number (which the casino should declare in the footer of their website).
- After you’ve found it, double-check that the business name and reference number match the casino’s records. If they fit, the commission’s website will show you what kind of license they have and whether the business is safe to use.
Final thoughts
We hope that this review of the Gambling Commission UK has given you a better understanding of its origins and primary responsibilities. To summarize, the Gambling Commission is the primary regulatory body for all types of gambling, with the exception of spread betting, that takes place on land or online. Any operator must have a UK Gambling Commission license in order to be considered legal. Your rights as a gambler based in the UK are protected when you play at a casino under the UKGC.
