The UK online casino business has expanded rapidly over the last ten years owing to the improvement in technology and the developing interest of consumers.
However, this growth has raised many concerns and vices that are associated with it such as the need for regulation to reduce cheating, protect the vulnerable and uphold the integrity of the gambling business. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) which is the chief regulatory authority for gambling in the United Kingdom has put in place new rules within the last few years. These rules are intended to prevent gambling from being potentially dangerous, but they also have a rather significant influence on the working of online casinos and their users. This article going to discuss the latest UKGC regulations that have been set in place and what players should expect from them.
Overview of UKGC Regulations
UKGC is the regulatory body that is responsible for the regulation of commercial gambling activities in Great Britain and this includes online casinos, betting shops and arcades. The main aims of the Commission are to prevent gambling from financing crime and preventing disorder, to ensure that gambling is provided fairly and to prevent harm to children and other vulnerable persons through gambling.
Over the last couple of years, the UKGC has put forward several measures that are intended for the protection of players and the prevention of problem gambling. The following are some of the key aspects that have been regulated in online casino business; advertisement, customer relations and application of technology for issues of identification of problem gamblers. But as the restrictions intensify, some members have begun to look for casinos not on Gamstop, which are not subject to these rules. These are the casinos that are not regulated by the UKGC and can be used by clients who want to avoid self-exclusion, but such casinos also have their dangers.
Stricter Advertising Rules
The UKGC also has made some of the most important amendments to the rules and among them, there is a new advertising approach. The guidelines that the Commission has put in place to regulate gambling advertisements include; the advertisements must not be misleading, must not be directed at children and other vulnerable persons and must include information on the risks of gambling.
In this regard, the players will be able to notice that online casinos will become more and more transparent and responsible in their advertising practices. It is now mandatory for promotions and bonuses to have a clear set of terms and conditions while the casinos are to display warning messages about the risks of gambling. These changes are intended to minimize the possibility of players being misled by quite aggressive or even ambiguous promotional activities and, thus, to create a healthier gambling environment. It is crucial to understand that the casinos outside Gamstop may not follow these advertising practices and therefore, players should be careful.
Enhanced Player Verification Processes
Another important aspect of the regulation is the so-called player verification procedures. The UKGC has come up with new measures that require online casinos to authenticate players’ identities and ages before they can gamble or play free-to-play games. This involves confirming a player’s name, address and date of birth from other credible and independent sources.
This is an effort to enhance the age verification checks to ensure that only legally allowed persons can gamble in online casinos. In their turn, players may be required to send copies of their passport or other documents proving their identity, when creating an account or making the first deposit.
Affordability Checks and Responsible Gambling Measures
The UKGC has also put in place affordability checks as among the many measures that it has taken to ensure that people gamble responsibly. These checks entail that online casinos must establish the ability of a player to gamble without suffering losses financially. It may include analyzing how frequently a player spends, the money they earn and the state of their financial affairs.
Players may be subjected to an affordability check if they are participating in high levels of gambling activities or even show signs of developing gambling problems. Online casinos are obliged to prevent and prevent problem gambling, for instance, by setting limits on the deposit or offering information about responsible gambling tools.
Ban on Credit Card Gambling
The UKGC has had a significant impact in introducing the ban on credit card gambling which was implemented in April 2020. This ban applies to all forms of gambling, remote and non-remote, except non-remote lottery.
The government’s decision to ban credit card gambling was to prevent people from gambling with the money they had borrowed as it may lead to an increase in the cases of problem gambling. According to the UKGC’s research, many of the people who used credit cards for gambling were either problem gamblers or at risk of becoming so.
Conclusion
The recent UKGC measures can be considered essential improvements in the prevention of negative impacts of gambling and enhancement of player’s rights in the sphere of online casinos. Although some of these rules may pose certain challenges to the players and the operators, they are still helpful in promoting a healthier and more regulated gambling atmosphere. The UKGC will continue to regulate the industry and players can only expect that more improvements in the protection of players will be implemented to keep the online gambling industry as a safe and fun place to play.
