When considering a UKGC licenced online casino in 2021, some things are par for the course; all must adhere to the highest standards of Responsible Gambling and equip players with a utility belt of time and spend limiting tools to help prevent gambling harm. The facility for reversing withdrawals has been phased out and, in the main, made payment processing more reliable. More recently, the Autoplay functionality has been removed from online slots and the landscape has grown tighter and more controlled.
As a result, when choosing your new UK online casino, you can rest assured many things will stay the same wherever you play. The subtle differences are where GMBLRS reviews come in handy. GMBLRS lists the good, the bad and the downright ugly that will help readers to make an informed decision.
Terms and conditions are scrutinised, sites, games and RTP evaluated, bonus terms checked and many have been tried and tested. As always, remember to ‘Gamble Responsibly’and ‘Take Time To Think’
GMBLRS no longer promotes UK Casinos. Any tracking links in our reviews are meant for players from countries accepted by the sites but outside the UK.
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UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) - A Brief Introduction
Although the United Kingdom had widespread gaming arcades and betting shop networks, it wasn’t until the Gambling Act 2005 when they set up the Gambling Commission. The mission was clear, regulate all forms of gambling in Great Britain. This includes operators and individuals within the United Kingdom that provide arcades, gaming machines, betting, lotteries, bingo, online gambling, casinos and even gambling software. They are also responsible for awarding the licence to run the National Lottery.
With the rapid growth of online gaming, the 2005 act was complemented in 2014 by the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act that requires any operator transacting with or advertising to British consumers to obtain an operating licence from the Gambling Commission. Until then, any operator outside the United Kingdom could offer remote gambling to any British player as long as they had a licence from another authority such as the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association or MGA Malta.
The UK Gambling Commission in 2024
Today, the Gambling Commission is an independent public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Their main objectives are to keep crime out of gambling, to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and to protect children and vulnerable people.
To achieve its objectives, the UKGC has a range of laws, regulations and enforcement tools at its disposal. First and foremost, they are issuing licenses only to operators who meet the stringent criteria set forth in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice. Further, they can levy fines and revoke licences as well as being tasked with investigating and prosecuting illegal gambling.
The benefits for players and betting patrons are apparent in such that they can enjoy their hobby in a safe and secure environment that is regulated by stringent norms. Whilst, the UKGC does not act as a dispute resolution arbitrator, it requires operators to designate a licensed arbitrator in their terms and conditions.
Further, the UKGC requires that player balances and money are held in separate accounts and payments cannot be limited to partial amounts per week or month. Last but not least, operators have to adhere strictly to the Social Code of Practice to protect vulnerable players and offer them a variety of tools to limit their gambling or activate an exclusion period.
The UKGC Policy on Responsible Gambling
The UKGC has a clear and detailed focus on combating the harmful effects of problem gambling. Playing at a UKGC licenced online casino means you will have access to limits for your spending and time, along with links to external sources of help including GAMSTOP. Self-exclusion periods are legislated to be carried out efficiently and see exclusion across a casino group, for better protection.
They enforce by imposing financial penalties, suspensions and settlements for licensees that breach rules relating to marketing, source of wealth and affordability, responsible gambling, and more. In recent times, the UKGC has tightened casino operations, banned the use of credit cards and removed the ability to reverse withdrawals. The latter helps to eliminate stall tactics previously employed by some casinos in the hope that players reverse their winnings.
New requirements for licence holders are scheduled to come into force on 31st October 2021. These promote better information on customers transactions, remove the autoplay functionality, tighten responsible product design by inhibiting ‘false win’ promotion and slow the speed of play.
UKGC - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the UKGC a government agency?
Yes. The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate companies and individuals who provide gambling in any off or online form in the United Kingdom.
2. Are the UKGC a strict licencing authority?
Yes, the UKGC mean what they say, ensuring licenced operations adhere to the rules. Failing to do so can mean significant penalties or, on occasion, a revoke or suspension of licence.
3. Is it easy to get a UKGC operating licence for a new online casino?
In short, no, it is not easy to obtain a licence from the UKGC. To start, there are licencing application fees and multiple types of licences required, plus fit and proper persons tests for all involved just to be considered.
4. How do the UKGC protect players from gambling harm?
All UKGC licenced casinos must promote responsible gambling with deposit, loss and session limits, and timely reminders during play. Time-outs/cooling-off periods must also be available alongside a self-exclusion facility. Every UK facing casino must link to certain organisations such as GAMSTOP and have a compliant responsible gambling program.
5. I am a UK player that uses autoplay, how will the removal of autoplay functionality in October 2021 help me?
That's a difficult question to answer. The autoplay functionality allows players to play a selected number of spins automatically. One of the benefits being you can set loss limits for your spending. As a result, some players use autoplay as a handy budgeting tool. During the consultation process, the idea was clearly controversial, with players and casinos alike warning of the possibility of further gambling harm as a possible adverse effect. Using a consumer survey led by GAMSTOP and following consultation with various parties and a small percentage of players, the UKGC has decided to continue even though no hard evidence has been gathered that supports the initiative. The UKGC cite the direct correlation between problem gambling and playing time as the reasoning behind the removal of the function, claiming that players lose track of time and spending easier.
6. What UKGC proposed changes will come into effect on 31st October 2021?
On 31st October 2021, the proposed changes from the UKGC include the prohibiting of simultaneous multiple game play, the introduction of speed play limits, the prohibiting of player-led 'spin stops, the removal of auto-play functionality for online slots, the prohibiting of the illusion of 'false wins', prohibit the reversal of withdrawals and introduce a display of net position and time spent for players.
7. Do the UKGC uphold customer complaints?
Although the UKGC does not handle player complaints directly, they rule that each online casino must appoint a recognised Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider. After following the online casino's complaints process, the next step is to contact their appointed ADR provider.
8. What is the minimum game RTP I can expect from a UKGC licenced casino?
The UKGC does not have a minimum requirement for RTP in gaming. Only minimum standards by which the RTP of a game must be tested and adhered to.
9. What documents can be requested from UK players undergoing KYC and SOW checks?
Each casino must ensure you have passed a basic identification check before allowing transactions. Sometimes known as a 'soft check', these are normally carried out automatically at registration. Following this, photographic identity and address verification can be requested in many ways but usually via a copy of your passport, driving licence and utility bills. For SOW, bank statements to start, with no limits for evaluating the source of funds and spending habits.
10. What are the benefits of playing at a UKGC licenced online casino?
Clear benefits include protection of funds and a comprehensive responsible gambling program along with no reversal of withdrawals.
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