One of the most important things UK live casinos should possess in order to operate legally and fairly is a valid licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission. Regulations of this kind give players the necessary peace of mind and ensure that the particular gaming house has met all the requirements to be considered a legal online casino. This is why it is advisable always to check the licences held by online casinos to make sure their fairness and legitimacy are beyond question.
Thanks to the UK Gambling Commission, UK players can rest assured that all of the live casinos with such an operating licence are crime-free and secure. The fact that they have successfully completed the verification process is clear evidence that these live casinos are reliable and trustworthy. Players can enjoy their favourite casino games live, in real time, from the comfort of their own homes, knowing that their personal data is in safe hands.
Overview
Since 2014, the gambling industry in England has been significantly influenced by a new rule that came into force. Every online casino providing any form of online gambling or promoting such an activity to UK citizens is required to obtain a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This regulation was introduced simply to protect UK players from falling victim to dishonest online casinos. The UK Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to keep a close eye on the gambling industry.
Importance of the Casino Licence
As already mentioned, it is extremely important that players make sure that whenever they play online they do so only at well-established online casinos that have been granted a licence by the UK Gambling Commission or by another independent gambling authority. In order to determine whether an online casino is fair and safe, the Commission takes a number of important factors into consideration.
These include the company’s gambling policy, its ownership, financial history, criminal record and more. This is why having a valid licence clearly shows that the online casino operates in accordance with the established standards and requirements of the country.
If casino operators wish to offer their games to players based in the UK, they will first have to obtain a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission. This authority has taken on the task of licensing UK casino operators under the Gambling Act of 2005. The government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport has entrusted the UK Gambling Commission with governing online gambling in the country.
To apply for a licence, you will need to pay a registration fee. To make the entire process more convenient, the Commission also allows operators to apply for a licence online. It takes about 16 weeks for your request to be processed, provided that you have submitted the right documents. If you are denied the licence because of missing documents, your application fee will be refunded and you will be notified of the documents you need to obtain the licence.
Types of UK Gambling Licences
Depending on the type of gambling services you wish to provide, you might need to apply for a specific type of licence or for several licences. This is why it is advisable to be aware of the different options and of the exact licence for which you will need to apply.
Generally speaking, there are three types of licences issued by the UK Gambling Commission. These include an operating licence, a personal management licence and a personal functional licence. All of these are issued by the UK Gambling Commission. Additionally, you may request a premises licence, which is granted by your local authorities. The licences cover activities such as arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gambling software, gaming machines and lotteries.
The casino licences are divided into the Remote Casino Operating Licence and the Remote Casino Game Host Operating Licence. The first allows operators to offer casino games to their members via a website, mobile device, TV or other online services. The second licence is required if you plan to offer a gambling facility to consumers based in the UK. You will also need this licence if any part of your remote gambling equipment is located in the UK.
Casino operators that wish to offer gambling facilities to players based in the UK will have to resort to the services of software companies that have obtained a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. The Remote Gambling Software Licence must be issued to suppliers of software used by casino operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. The same licence must also be obtained if you are based in the UK and manufacture or supply your software to casino operators that are based abroad and are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
Fees for the UK Gambling Licence
In order to obtain a gambling licence, you will need to submit various documents and go through several steps. If you are willing to spend some extra money, you can use the services of a consultant. This person will help you with the administrative and application steps of the entire process. The consultant will also assist with the preparation of a business plan, enable you to make a financial projection and prepare the documents you will need to ensure a smooth application process.
To maintain your licence, you will need to pay an annual fee before the anniversary date of the issued licence. If you are unable to pay this fee, the UK Gambling Commission must terminate your gambling licence, and you will need to reapply for a licence if you wish to continue offering gaming services to UK players. If you have lost your licence and have applied for another, you must not offer any gaming services to UK players until you have been granted a new licence.
You can easily calculate your application fee and subsequent annual fees thanks to the Fee Calculator offered on the official website of the UK Gambling Commission. You can select the type of licence you would like to apply for, and the calculator will tell you in detail the fees involved, any discounts and the total cost of the licence and its maintenance.
While the application fee is paid when you submit your documents to obtain the licence, the first annual fee must be paid on the day the licence is issued. The payment must be made in a single transaction and it is not possible to pay in instalments.
Once you obtain your gambling licence, it is valid indefinitely. This remains the case unless the licence has been suspended, revoked or forfeited after a court decision. Another reason the licence may expire is if there are lapses due to bankruptcy or if the licensee voluntarily surrenders it.
Gambling Taxation in the UK
Although there were plans for corporation tax to be reduced to 17% in 2020, the main rate remained at 19% and the same rate is due to be set for the financial year 2021. Meanwhile, gambling websites have to pay a 15% levy on their earnings.
Despite the gambling tax on casinos, gambling is tax-free for players in the UK. This means that they can enjoy all their winnings without having to pay any tax. Thanks to the levy that virtual casinos have to pay, the government can afford to allow players to enjoy all of their winnings without having to worry about tax.
Live Casinos with a UK Licence
It is crucial that the online casino players choose to trust and play at possesses a licence from an independent and reputable gambling authority. The UK Gambling Commission is such a trustworthy gambling regulator which is responsible for preventing dishonest online casinos from entering the online gambling industry. Another important factor to consider is the status of the licence – whether it is still valid or has expired.
It is no surprise that the leading online casinos in the United Kingdom are those that are trustworthy and hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Their excellent reputation is built on years of experience, a high level of expertise, fair rules and complete transparency in their gambling policies. Casinos that have proved to be among the best on the online gambling market include William Hill, Betway, Genting Casino, Gala Casino and Bet365.
William Hill
William Hill is a leading online casino whose operations are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which is why UK players can rest assured that their personal information is secure. Founded in 1934, it is among the most experienced and trusted casinos in the United Kingdom. Its online casino offers a number of live games that can be played in real time with a well-presented dealer. All of them are powered by leading software providers such as Microgaming and Playtech, which guarantees high-quality video and audio.
Some of the available live games that can be played in real time are Live Baccarat, Live Poker, Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and many of their interesting variations. The online casino also offers a moderately wide range of tables to choose from, allowing players to find the game that suits their playing style. Another feature this reputable gaming house boasts is its professional live dealers, whom online users can see thanks to the employed live-streaming technology.
Betway
Betway is an online casino that provides world-class live dealer games, having entrusted its online business to one of the most prominent software suppliers on the gambling market – Microgaming. This ensures that its live games meet the highest standards and enable players to experience the genuine atmosphere of a land-based casino without leaving home. Its fairness and honesty are unquestionable because it holds a UK licence.
Its HD live casino offers a highly enticing welcome bonus exclusive to its online users. Some of the live games they can enjoy include Live Immersive Roulette, Live Casino Hold’em, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat and others. The personable dealers operating the live games are one of the reasons why playing online feels as realistic as playing in a brick-and-mortar casino. Furthermore, players can interact with the rest of the participants or with the croupier by using the available live-chat feature.
UK Licensed Live Casinos
High Roller Live Casinos
Best Payout Live Casinos
Mobile Live Dealer Casinos
Popular Live Casino Games
Genting Casino
Genting Casino is a leading casino with an impressive 50 years of experience in the gambling world. It holds an intermediary licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission, which covers all of its gambling activity. As one of the most reputable online casinos in the United Kingdom, it offers its players the chance to immerse themselves in their favourite casino games in real time with a well-versed live dealer. Some of the available games which can be found at Genting Live Casino are Genting Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat, Live London Roulette, Live Three Card Poker and others.
This online casino gives its players the chance to witness the turn of the cards, the landing of the ball, the actions of the courteous dealers and much more in real time. Thanks to the live-streaming technology in use, they can enjoy a truly authentic experience as they watch the attractive dealer operate the game. Moreover, all of the live games can be accessed via tablet, mobile or desktop, giving players the freedom to choose the most convenient way to play.
Gala Casino
Gala Casino is another successful casino that has proved to be one of the best in the gambling industry. It is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which gives the necessary peace of mind to its UK customers. Its live casino provides some of the most popular casino games, including Live Exclusive Roulette, Live Baccarat, Live Blackjack and others. Gala Live Casino gives players the opportunity to decide whether they would like the live game to be hosted by Asian live dealers or by European ones.
However, depending on their choice, the available live games also vary. For instance, Live Sic Bo is available only with Asian croupiers, whereas Live Hold’em is hosted only by European dealers. Thanks to the sophisticated technologies and systems in use, players are able to feel just as excited and thrilled about the game as if they were in their favourite land-based casino. Moreover, they can rest assured that their sensitive information is fully protected at any point during the game, as the online casino uses reliable security platforms.
Bet365
Bet365 is a prominent online casino that offers world-class live dealer games. It is one of the world’s biggest gambling organisations, and its services are used by a considerable number of players worldwide. Its licence is issued by the UK Gambling Commission, and its gambling activity is strictly monitored and supervised. The online casino at Bet365 offers live games that impress with their high quality and wide range. Thanks to the live-streaming technology employed, players can be sure of an extremely authentic experience of their favourite casino games, despite being at home.
The live games are powered by one of the most famous software suppliers, Playtech. They are streamed from either Playtech’s European studio or its Asian studio, giving players the chance to enjoy different studio settings. The live games available at Bet365’s live casino include Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat, Live Sic Bo and others. Players can also choose from a wide range of tables, including VIP and private ones.
Conclusion
Thanks to the UK Gambling Commission, players can rest assured that if their favourite online casino possesses a licence from this gambling authority it has been verified and is regulated. Its main objective is to eliminate dishonest online casinos with poor financial histories and suspicious past activities in order to protect vulnerable people. For this reason it is extremely important that players entrust their details only to reliable online casinos that hold valid licences, in order to protect themselves from any potential threats or inconveniences.