Online gambling is legal in the United Kingdom. Both residents and visitors are allowed to play at licensed casinos including Paybymobileslots.com. The activities of these casinos are regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). The Commission was instituted based on the Gambling Acts of 2005 and is tasked with the job of regulating, licensing and monitoring all casino and other gambling activities within the country to make betting safe for gamblers.
Gambling Laws and Legislation in the United Kingdom
Unlike many other countries that have criminalized online gambling, the United Kingdom views betting in a different light. Instead of criminalizing it, the UK chose to regulate and make it safe. Creating this fair and credible betting environment was the rationale behind the creation of UKGC.
The UK Gambling Act of 2005 divides gambling into 6 categories with a set of rules governing each one. The categories include:
- Casino
- Betting
- Arcade
- Bingo
- Gaming Machines
- Lotteries
Casino and Gaming Machines
The gambling laws of the UK covers both online and brick and mortar casinos. To operate in the country, they must all get a license and abide strictly by the gambling laws. THese rules border around types of games and the locations in which they’re allowed to operate.
Gaming machines are categorized into B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, C and D. All gaming machines apart from those in category D must only attend to customers of 18 years and above. Category D machines do not have strict age restrictions. They include low stake fruit machines, crane grabs and coin pushes. With a minimum stake of 10p and max stake of £1, category D machines are low stake machines. The most common wins range from £5 to £5, and a maximum of £50. You can find these machines at traveling fairs, family entertainment centers, pubs and gaming centers.
UK Lotteries and Bingo
Although lotteries and bingos are games of luck, their difference lies in the frequency of playing them and the prize money. While gamblers can play bingo as often as they wish to, lotteries are typically played weekly and the prize money is huge!
Also, bingo is tightly regulated, while some lotteries do not require a license. Offices and work places can even run lotteries without necessarily getting a license.
Sports Betting in the UK
The UK gambling laws requires that all sports betting companies must have a licence from UKGC before they can operate. This requirements also extend to betting intermediaries and other businesses that offer fixed-odds and pool betting.
Gambling Act of 2005
The Gambling Act of 2005 brought several changes to the UK online gambling laws. It brought a comprehensive list of processes, requirements and rules which must regulate gambling to protect both the customers and operators. The act has three main objectives:
- To prevent gambling from becoming a source of crime or disorder
- To protect children and other vulnerable people from being exploited through gambling
- To ensure fairness to everyone involved in gambling.