Is it Legal to Play at Online Casinos

The gambling industry today is very different from what it was several years ago. It has undergone major changes as a result of the fast-growing world we live in. Technological advancements have made it possible for many land-based casinos to create web-based counterparts, thereby reaching players from all over the world. Long gone are the days when the only way to gamble was to visit a brick-and-mortar casino.

Presently, you can play a wide range of casino games at the most convenient time and place for you. You can enjoy roulette, blackjack, craps, video poker, baccarat and many other exciting games in the comfort of your home. Moreover, if you are an avid player, you can even play on the move. However, ever since online casinos gained popularity, many players have raised the inevitable question of whether they are legal or not. Another widely discussed topic concerns their fairness and credibility.

Laws and Regulations

When it comes to online casinos and gambling regulations, it all comes down to the country in which you reside. There is no universal gambling law that applies to every part of the world, despite the Internet being a global network. Whether it is legal to play at an online casino entirely depends on your current location. Some countries completely forbid gambling, whereas others impose partial restrictions on some activities related to real-money betting. In general, most gambling laws concern online casinos rather than the players.

One thing that differs from one country to another is the legal status of online gambling, which largely determines the gambling market in that country. Generally speaking, online gambling can be considered either legal or illegal. However, it is also possible for a particular country to have some additional requirements or restrictions relating to this matter. If, in one territory, online gambling is declared legal, this means that all gambling activities are regulated and all online casinos must obtain licences to transact with local customers.

Countries where the gambling market is regulated and all online casinos are required to possess a valid licence include the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden. A different situation exists in countries where all gambling activities are declared illegal.

In a very small number of countries, it is completely illegal to gamble for real money online and players are even prosecuted for doing so. These countries are Poland, Cyprus, North Korea, Cambodia, Brunei, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. In most cases, even if online gambling is officially established as illegal, players are generally not prosecuted.

Gambling activities in some countries are not regulated but are not expressly illegal, either. This means there are either no laws regarding this matter or they are simply inapplicable. Bolivia is one such country. There are also jurisdictions in which the gambling laws that concern online casinos are not clearly stated for one reason or another. In such cases, online gambling activities belong to the so-called grey markets.

Country Restrictions

Generally speaking, most gambling laws focus on pursuing rogue online casinos and preventing them from offering illegal online activities rather than the actual players who have placed bets. As already indicated, when it comes to online gambling, the laws strictly depend on the country in which you reside.

However, this is not the only factor that determines whether you are allowed to play in a particular online casino. You should know that this also greatly depends on the online casino of your choice, as every online gambling website has its own list of restricted countries. This means that every casino has the freedom to choose where to provide its services and from which countries to accept players. Moreover, bear in mind that whenever you decide to register at a particular online casino, you have to accept its terms and conditions. Therefore, it is very important to familiarise yourself with the gambling laws that apply in your country, as this is your responsibility.

It should be noted that there is one more way you can be prevented from placing bets online. If you don’t meet the age limit set by both the website and your country, you won’t be able to gamble. Failing to comply with this regulation can lead to serious trouble. The minimum age set by most gambling jurisdictions is eighteen.

Regulatory Gaming Bodies

In countries where casino operators are required to obtain a licence in order to provide online games, the gambling industry is overseen by regulatory gaming bodies. Licensing authorities based in several regions around the world are empowered to issue such licences. To offer gambling services legally in a particular territory, online casinos must apply for a licence appropriate to the respective region.

One online casino can hold several licences, issued by different authorities, which enable it to operate in various countries. Each country has its own independent authority responsible for monitoring the activity of online casinos and ensuring the operators are free from criminal involvement. For instance, the authority responsible for issuing licences in the United Kingdom is the UK Gambling Commission. Online casinos wishing to provide games to UK citizens are granted such a licence, provided they have met all the established requirements and have successfully undergone the verification process.

Online casinos can also obtain a licence from offshore gambling authorities such as the Curaçao eGaming Licensing Authority, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, the Malta Lotteries & Gaming Authority and the Gibraltar Licensing Authority. If a particular online casino has a licence issued by any of the above-mentioned authorities, this is a good indicator that it offers fair games and legal gambling activities.

Types of Remote Gambling Licences Issued in the UK

The UK is home to one of the largest and most mature online gambling markets in the world. Statistics published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reveal that the total gross gambling yield of the remote betting, casino and bingo sector reached £6.4 billion between April 2021 and March 2022, representing a 12.4% increase compared with the same period two years earlier.

This highly competitive sector is stringently regulated under the provisions of the Gambling Act of 2005, which is currently under review. Remote gambling companies looking to penetrate this thriving market must obtain operating licences from the UKGC before they can legally service and transact with British customers. Three types of licences are issued under the local regulatory regime.

• Remote gambling software licences are necessary for the companies that develop, maintain and provide gaming software to gambling operators authorised to take bets from local players. Major software suppliers like Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming are some of the licensees belonging to this category.
• Key personnel licences are issued to important staff members and employees of remote gambling businesses. These permits are further divided into two categories. Personal management licences are granted to staff members employed in the fields of financial planning, marketing and regulatory compliance. Personal functional licences are issued to individuals who occupy lower-level positions such as security officers or cashiers.
• Operating licences are awarded to remote gambling businesses looking to provide their services to customers from the United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales and England). A single operating licence covers multiple forms of remote gambling, including poker, online slots and table games like baccarat, blackjack and roulette. The local legislation only makes a distinction between remote and non-remote betting activities. The UKGC cannot grant joint permits that authorise both online and land-based gambling.

Operating Licences Application Process and Requirements

Remote gambling businesses can apply for operating licences online on the website of the UK Gambling Commission. The regulatory body evaluates the suitability and probity of the candidates based on multiple criteria, including their solvency and beneficial ownership. Some of the documents and information potential licensees must provide during the application process include:

• Ownership and management structure
• Copies of remote gambling permits issued in other jurisdictions (if applicable)
• Gambling software supply information
• Map of operational model
• Business plans and bank statements for the six months preceding the application
• Revenue forecasts for the three years following the submission of the application
• Proof of funding
• Credit reports (in the case of offshore-based applicants)
• Information about past bankruptcies or liquidations (if applicable)

As you can see, this is a considerable set of documents, so it is of utmost importance to submit all the requested information in good order. Otherwise, the regulator will automatically turn the application down. Candidates should be at least 18 years old to apply for remote-gambling operating licences.

Application Fees and Assessment Timeframe

Applicants must pay application fees upon submitting their documents, but the exact costs are application-specific. The range of remote gambling services the applicant wishes to offer is also taken into account. Potential licensees can use the calculator on the UKGC website to work out their fees. If all necessary documentation is submitted in good order, the regulator will assess the application within approximately 16 weeks of submission.

Licence Cost and Duration

Approved applicants who have met the requirements must pay their first annual licence fee within 30 days of obtaining their permits. Those who have been turned down can appeal the regulator’s decision within 28 days. The fees range from £800 to £10,000, depending on the type of appeal and licence.

Remote gambling licences have no expiry date and remain valid indefinitely unless the regulator revokes or suspends them for breaches. Licensees can surrender their operating permits of their own accord, as was the case with BGO in November 2021. The operator decided to surrender its licence altogether after the UKGC suspended it for suspected violations of the licensing conditions.

Under the Finance Act of 2014, authorised operators must pay annual licensing fees and taxes on the gross gaming revenue (GGR) they generate from British customers. The term GGR denotes the difference between the overall amount players have wagered and the amount they have received in winnings. The tax rates vary across the board based on the type of gambling product on offer.

Player Protection Policies in the UK

The British gambling watchdog can instigate enforcement action against remote gambling companies that violate their licensing conditions and codes of practice (LCCP). Licensees must follow strict social responsibility codes that aim to protect British customers, preserve the integrity of the local gambling industry and mitigate gambling-related harm.

The most common regulatory penalties for non-compliance and social responsibility failures include hefty fines, licence suspension and licence revocation in the worst-case scenario. Various measures are in place to safeguard local players and promote responsible gambling.

Customer Funds Protection

There are three levels of customer funds protection under the local regulatory framework – zero, medium and high. Remote gambling operators are recommended to segregate customers’ funds from their operational capital, which falls into the high-level category. The purpose of funds segregation is to protect players’ money in case a given gambling company declares insolvency.

Businesses with medium protection have made arrangements to safeguard their customers’ funds through insurance or a bank guarantee. However, this does not guarantee players will get their money back if the gambling company goes bankrupt. When no protection is in place (zero protection), customer funds are treated as part of the gambling company’s assets and are almost inevitably lost in the event of insolvency.

UKGC licensees must clearly specify in their terms and conditions which level of funds protection applies to their customers. The wording varies from one company to another, depending on the level of protection. Here is an example from the general terms and conditions of 32Red, a company that operates under licence number 039430-R-319293-013 issued by the UKGC in 2014.

“We hold sufficient cash to cover all Account balances in company account(s). Account balances are protected by a bank guarantee which guarantees that there are sufficient funds for customers to withdraw their balances at any time. This meets the UK Gambling Commission’s requirements for the segregation of customer funds at the following level: medium protection.”

Age and Identity Verification

Under the UKGC regulatory framework, all players who sign up with locally licensed gambling sites must undergo obligatory verification checks before they process their first deposit or partake in any gambling activities. Customers must provide the following documents to verify themselves:

• A passport, national ID card or driving licence as proof of age and identity
• A recent household utility bill as proof of address
• Copies of the front and back of one’s debit card, screenshots of one’s digital wallet or bank statements as proof of payment method

A selfie may also be requested in some cases. The verification procedure aims to ensure the customer is old enough to gamble legally and confirm they have not previously self-excluded from gambling participation. The bank statements and card copies enable operators to trace the customers’ source of funds. This is standard practice that helps prevent money laundering or gambling with stolen money. If a customer is found to be underage or fails to pass the verification check, the operator must immediately close the account.

Responsible Gambling Tools

The UKGC takes responsible gambling very seriously and requires all licensees to provide a set of tools that help players keep their gambling activities in check. Locally licensed gambling sites typically allow their customers to put a cap on their daily, weekly and monthly deposits. This prevents online gamblers from exceeding the amounts they feel comfortable spending.

Players can also restrict the duration of their gambling sessions or set timers to remind them how much time they have spent gambling. These timers are known as reality checks, and the player must acknowledge them to remove them from the screen. Customers can take short breaks from gambling, called ‘cool-off’ periods, and self-exclude temporarily or permanently.

Those who suffer from severe gambling problems can register with GAMSTOP to exclude themselves from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites with a single request. This is similar to MOSES (Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme), a service that enables British punters to exclude themselves from multiple betting shops by making a single phone call.

UKGC licensees must consistently screen the accounts and activity of their customers to identify individuals who are at risk or gamble beyond their means. Inaction or failure to protect players who exhibit signs of problem gambling and addiction results in severe penalties for the operators, including public censure, heavy fines, licence suspension or complete revocation.

Advertising Restrictions

It makes sense that all marketing of gambling services and products must also be conducted in a socially responsible fashion. Advertising materials should not contain misleading information or target individuals below the legal gambling age in the country (18 years old). No children or minors can appear in gambling-related adverts, and the ads cannot prompt people to participate in any gambling activities.

People who are, or appear to be, younger than 25 cannot be shown gambling in marketing materials. There is also a whistle-to-whistle ban that prohibits the broadcasting of sports betting commercials on television before the 9 pm watershed. The body tasked with regulating gambling advertisements is the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Where to Seek Help for Problem Gambling in the UK

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency suggests approximately 246,000 British citizens are likely to suffer from some form of gambling disorder. As many as 2.2 million individuals are at risk of becoming problem gamblers. On the bright side, many organisations provide free assistance and advice to Brits who suffer from these conditions. We cover the most popular ones below.

• GAMSTOP is a non-profit organisation that allows players to exclude themselves from all online gambling sites that carry the UKGC stamp of approval with a single exclusion request. Self-exclusion via this system is possible for half a year, a year or five years. The service is quite effective, as problem gamblers cannot cancel their exclusion before the end of their chosen period.

  Website	https://www.gamstop.co.uk/
  Telephone	0800 138 6518
  Email	helpdesk@gamstop.co.uk

• GamCare has been raising awareness about gambling addiction since 1997. The organisation provides free advice, counselling and assistance to problem gamblers and their families. GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, which is available around the clock. Requesting free face-to-face counselling is also an option, as is contacting the organisation via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
  

  Website	https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
  Telephone	0808 8020 133 (National Gambling Helpline)
  Email	digital@gamcare.org.uk

• The Gordon Moody Association is one of the leading charities that provides counselling, treatment and assistance to gambling addicts from Great Britain. Based in Dudley, England, the organisation offers various recovery programmes that enable problem gamblers to overcome their addiction and reclaim their lives. Gordon Moody has been assisting gambling addicts in their rehabilitation for over half a century.
  

  Website	https://gordonmoody.org.uk/
  Telephone	0138 4241 292
  Email	help@gordonmoody.org.uk

• BeGambleAware provides confidential counselling and assistance to all British citizens who are worried their gambling behaviour has become problematic. It runs a free telephone line and a live chat facility, both of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organisation helps provide free treatment to 12,000 gambling addicts each year.
  

  Website	https://www.begambleaware.org/
  Telephone	0808 8020 133 (National Gambling Helpline)
  Email	info@gambleaware.org

• The National Gambling Treatment Service comprises a countrywide network of organisations that offer confidential support, advice and assistance to citizens who suffer from gambling addiction or gambling-related harm. It is available to all gamblers based in Wales, England and Scotland. You can learn more about the network on the official BeGambleAware website.
• Gam-Anon helps people whose lives have been negatively affected by the gambling addiction of their loved ones. The entity operates globally but organises local meetings where the relatives of problem gamblers can share their personal experiences and find understanding. The initiative is courtesy of Gamblers Anonymous (GA), so the meetings usually take place on the same nights as Gamblers Anonymous meetings but in different rooms.
  

  Website	https://gamanon.org.uk/ https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/gamanon
  Telephone	0330 094 0322
  Email	info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Conclusion

To sum up, whether online gambling is legal or not entirely depends on the country in which you reside. When it comes to online casinos, there is no universal gambling law that applies to all parts of the world. This is why it is essential to familiarise yourself with the regulations of your own country. It is also advisable to double-check these regulations from time to time because the online gambling industry is constantly changing. Some countries are currently in the process of imposing more restrictions on online casinos, whereas others are reconsidering their existing gambling laws.

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