For a casino to operate in the UK, it needs to have a license issued to work in the British market. Licensing is an essential aspect of the online gambling industry, and it is crucial to any UK online casino’s operations. If you are playing at UK casino, it is relevant for you to understand how licensing in the UK works and how it can be beneficial to you.
A UK casino license dictates specific rules and regulations that casinos must adhere to. Since an independent gambling body issues the license, a legitimate UK casino with a license is full proof that it is a fair and reliable casino. You can rest assured that all casinos that are featured and promoted on GambleGenie have a valid UK license.
UK Gambling Commission licensed casinos. The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain. In 2013 they also took over the responsibilities of the National Lottery Commission to regulate the National Lottery. A Gibraltar licence is a good sign for UK players. Alderney Casino Licence. Alderney has a population of just 2,400 people. But this tiny island has its own government, law and legal framework. And it also provides very well-respected online casino licences. The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) offers a solid regulatory framework. The licence to open an online casino in the United Kingdom is issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC monitors, reviews and approves (or not) licences. The UKGC implement the Licence conditions and Codes of practice (LCCP) and follow the Laws in the UK Gambling Act » (Gambling Act) that was issued in 2005.
We have thus compiled this detailed guide with information about the British licensing system and how it could affect you as a player. Although playing at a casino is also an essential factor, take the time to apply the below knowledge so you can have the best possible casino experience.
What is a UK online casino licence?
UK Gaming Licence Applications We have a speciality in acquiring UK Gaming Licences for land based casinos. Edwin Ford is an expert in casino administration and will assist in casino license applications.
A UK casino license is essentially a permit that certifies that the casino in question is compliant with the set of rules and regulations as devised by the Gambling Commission. It also ensures that it is following the best practices in terms of safety, fairness and security.
Since casino licenses are in place to regulate the online gambling industry, it also ensures that all licensed casinos are abiding by the correct code of conduct in terms of how their business is run. One important aspect when it comes to adhering to strict guidelines pertain to responsible gambling such as self-exclusion, adverting and marketing, information to players, underage gambling, etc. etc.
UK casino licences are also in place to deter anti-money laundering practises and therefore protecting players from criminal activity and rogue practices.
British online casinos must, therefore, be ready to deal with strict regulations when entering the market and also ready to apply all these requirements by law under the jurisdiction it falls under., before even launching.
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Since a UK casino gaming license has to be issued by an authoritative body which regulates the gaming industry, it also means that the casino is always under scrutiny and vetted for all potential criteria.
How to spot a UK licenced casino
Since all casinos listed on GambleGenie are licensed, provided you go for any of them, you should be fine. However, if you sign up to a new casino site that hasn’t been recommended, you need to do your homework. Sign up to the wrong operator, and it can turn into a costly business for you.
If you are always on the prowl for a new British casino, with big casino bonuses and an endless supply of free spins, you are at high risk of not vetting the casino properly. It is more reliable to sign up to a casino that has been around on the market for a few years, but it is also understandable, that sometimes you just want to try out a new UK casino site and see if there’s something better. If you do, keep it safe.
Casinos without a licence have been damaging the UK online gambling industry since always, and signing up and playing at these unlicensed casinos makes you an unlikely accomplice to criminal activities.
When playing casino games at an unlicensed operator, the chances are that these games are rigged, and you will never be able to achieve a win, let alone cash out a withdrawal.
If you found yourself on this page looking for sure signs that the UK Gambling Commission licences a casino, check out the below list:
- Look for a UK licence in the footer of the casino
- Search for the Gambling Commission’s logo and check that it links to the site
- Look for a license number. Alternatively, look for the casino on the Gambling Commission’s website
- See if there is relevant information pertaining to responsible gambling, gambling addiction and age limitation
- Look for casino reviews online
Even if you have gone through all of the above tips and tricks, it is always best that you look up the casino on the Gambling Commission’s website, which is ultimately the safest way to check the legitimacy of the casino.
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Keep in mind that the Gambling Commission regularly runs audits and is well-aware of any problems players might have had with casinos in the UK.
Benefits of a Licensed UK Casino
If you’re still not convinced about the benefits of signing up to a trustworthy UK casino, here’s a list to convince you further.
- Safety & Security
When playing at a secure UK casino, you are protected in a number of ways. Since there is a legal framework attached to the casino, operators cannot scam players by providing games that are rigged and not use a Random Number Generator. There are also plenty more measures in place to safeguard your interests, including resolutions to disputes, internal and external auditing as well as the use of the latest SSL encryption technology to safeguard your personal and financial interests.
- Prevention of money laundering
This is a big one, but when a casino starts operating under a UK licence, they have already undergone all possible anti-money laundering checks. Thus, they have undergone risk assessment and advised on appropriate procedures and policies that prevent them from being in any way connected to money-laundering or financing terrorist organisations.
- Responsibility
The UK-licenced casinos are by law required to be socially responsible as well as have ethical practices in place. Casinos in the UK must make donations to charities and support treatment for problem gambling on a regular basis.
Additionally, they must run the business ethically and protect any vulnerable members of society from problem gambling.
Why is it dangerous to sign up to an unlicensed casino?
Playing at an unlicensed casino is the equivalent of throwing your money away. There are massive risks attached to them, yet some players still insist on playing at a casino which is unlicensed just because it has a tempting casino bonus offer.
When you sign up to a casino UK via GambleGenie, we have done all the necessary checks before deeming the casino safe and trustworthy. You can sign up to any casino via GambleGenie, safe in the knowledge that the casino is licensed and reputable.
That being said, here are a few risks associated with signing up to an unlicensed casino.
Rigged Games
This is a big one, but since unlicensed casinos don’t have a license in the place, they are unable to certify either the quality of the games or the randomness factor of each spin of the reels. Since they don’t have Random Number Generators in place, which guarantee randomness and fairness, they can be re-programmed, so the odds are in the casino’s favour. You will never win.
No Security
Since there is little security in place, you are providing your personal and financial information to a site that could re-use or share your sensitive data with third parties. Once you have imparted that information, the rogue casino is free to do as it pleases with it.
Never going to see your money again
Why sign up to an unlicensed casino when there is a massive risk, that a) you will lose your deposit, and b) you will never win? The most reputable licensed casinos in the UK payout for your winnings and will ensure that the best practices are in place. Additionally, they wouldn’t withhold any funds from you.
Why are some UK casinos licensed overseas?
You will undoubtedly spot a few new UK casino sites that have a license from other jurisdictions such as Curacao and Malta, in addition to their UK licence. The most common license is that of Malta, which is issued by the Malta Gaming Authority.
This is absolutely nothing to be concerned about since there are legal provisions in place that allow operators from the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as other countries to access the UK gambling market, provided they have in their possession a license issued by the UK Gambling Commission.
These licenses from other jurisdictions pave the way for casinos to serve players from countries outside the UK. In general, authorities such as EEA countries, Isle of Man, Curacao, Gibraltar, Alderney, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Tasmania, are considered safe and reliable.
How can the Gambling Commission be beneficial to you
Now and again, you will hear of players who have had a bad experience at gambling online. Although they are much less than what they used to be, several issues are usually related to regulations.
Since the UK Gambling Commission is a legal party, which regulates casinos online, it also gets involved in any disputes that might arise. Before jumping the gun and getting in touch with the UK Gambling Commission, it might be wiser to first get in touch with the customer support of your respective casino.
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Any online casino that you play should be licenced by a recognised regulator. This means that you are protected when gambling online. It also means that the games you play have been tested for fairness. Which can only be a good thing!
However, just because the casino holds a gambling licence doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter any problems. But the casino is much more likely to be a fair and safe place to play.
As a UK player we recommend that you only play at online casinos that hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission was set-up under the Gambling Act 2005 and regulate all commercial gambling in Great Britain.
As a result the Gambling Commission is responsible for the regulation of online casinos, casinos, bingo, lotteries and much more. Since the Gambling (Licencing and Advertising) Act 2014 they also regulate offshore gambling operators that accept UK players.
The Gambling Commission make sure that all gambling is fair and open, and they keep crime and disorder out of the industry. They also make sure that the young and vulnerable are protected.
This means that organisations that hold a UK licence offer games that are verified to be fair. The Gambling Commission also makes sure that free help and support is available for problem gamblers. And it also means that there are proper procedures for online casino dispute resolution for all licensed casinos.
The UK Gambling Commission have an excellent reputation and a licence from them is a ‘must’ for all UK players.
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More Online Casino Licences
There are a number of other regulators that licence online casinos. You might come across these regulators when you play at a number of online casinos and it is worth knowing a little bit about them.
Malta Casino Licence
Malta might be a small island but it punches well above its weight when it comes to the online casino industry.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) are very well-respected and a licence from MGA is a good sign. The authority makes sure that gaming is fair and transparent for players, and the vulnerable are protected. MGA also have money laundering and criminality rules that need to be followed by licence holders.
There are over 400 companies that hold a remote gambling MGA licence and they operate over 1,000 websites. These companies include online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks, as well as iGaming companies like NetEnt.
In 2013 the Malta Gaming Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the equally well-respected Alderney Gambling Control Commission to improve consumer protection.
Gibraltar Casino Licence
iGaming companies were first attracted to Gibraltar by the low tax rates. However, more recently the clear licensing regulations have attracted some top-quality companies. Well-respected operators such as Bwin.Party, Ladbrokes, Betfair and NetEnt all hold Gibraltar licences.
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Gibraltar is on the UK Gambling Commission “white list”, which means that operators can offer their services to UK players.
A Gibraltar licence is a good sign for UK players.
Alderney Casino Licence
Alderney has a population of just 2,400 people. But this tiny island has its own government, law and legal framework. And it also provides very well-respected online casino licences.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) offers a solid regulatory framework. This has combined with an strong technical infrastructure on the island to attract mostly Business to Business iGaming operators.
An Alderney licence can be trusted.
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Curacao Casino Licence
Curacao was one of the first regulators for online gambling. It remains one of the most respected iGaming regulators but UK players should be cautious of casinos that only hold a Curacao e-gaming licence.