The United Kingdom Gambling Commission, sometimes referred to as the UK Gambling Commission, is an executive, non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom.
The government agency supervises land-based and online gaming laws in Great Britain and is responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling operators.
On a global scale, the Gambling Commission is classed as a ‘top-tier’ licensing authority and regulator for having some of the best practices and legal frameworks in place to protect all those working in the real money gambling industry, including the players who gamble on UK-licensed sites.
Let’s dive straight in and examine whether the UK gambling regulators are getting stricter.
Is the UK now tougher on remote/online gambling?
Yes. The UK Gambling Commission has a strict stance and is now tougher than ever on remote gambling activities. However, the biggest changes in the United Kingdom that were introduced over the past five to ten years are to protect players who are deemed ‘at-risk’ from developing gambling problems.
The Commission’s strict approach in recent years is also designed to do the following:
● Prevent underage gambling from ever occurring at a UK-licensed site
● Prevent gambling adverts/commercials/banners from being targeted at under 18s
● Prevent money laundering (under the AML – Anti-Money Laundering Act)
● Prevent other fraudulent activities
The UK Gambling Commission may have much stricter controls over its licensees than any other iGaming regulator and licensing authority in the world, but the government agency is well-known to uphold the highest standards and have the best regulatory practices in place.
In fact, many less mature gambling markets across the globe look to the UK to see how the Gambling Commission works to improve its own online gambling licensing and regulation practices.
Top 10 UK online casinos worth visiting in 2024
According to globally renowned iGaming review sites, ten of the best UK casino sites worth visiting in 2024 include the following trusted brands:
- Pub Casino
- Magic Red Casino
- Mr Mega Casino
- All British Casino
- The Grand Ivy Casino
- PlayOJO Casino
- Betway Casino
- Dream Vegas Casino
- Neptune Casino
- Fun Casino
The dedicated team of researchers has carefully handpicked and reviewed over 90 other top-rated UK casino sites using the same rigorous vetting and review process.
The best thing to do when deciding which sites to join would be to read and compare several reviews to find out which casino is more suitable based on your gaming needs and the types of bonuses you prefer to claim.
Secure links to each site are always available inside the reviews and don’t forget that to play at any of their featured sites, you must be at least 18 years old. Something you should know is that Casino.org rates the best bonuses, and these are renowned for being some of the best in the world, as well as having among the lowest wagering requirements in the world.
Are UK online casinos really that safe?
Yes, they are often ranked among the safest in the world. The best online casinos in 2024 are the ones licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
For example, players can access offshore casinos that the Gambling Commission doesn’t license, but players living in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are advised to stick to UK-licensed casinos before trying anywhere else.
However, with that in mind, the users can also trust sites licensed by several other renowned iGaming licensing authorities and regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Alderney Gambling Commission, and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.
Should an issue arise at an unlicensed online casino or one that is licensed by what many industry leaders and experts refer to as ‘rubber-stamp” (bottom tier) licensing authorities, you most likely wouldn’t receive the necessary legal backing you are entitled to as a player.
In contrast, if a UK-licensed casino didn’t pay you your money for whatever reason, you could contact the Gambling Commission, and they would help resolve the issue for you and if you are in the right, they will help you get your rightful winnings.
However, the chances of a UK-licensed online casino not paying you your rightful winnings would basically never happen. The same cannot be said of unlicensed casinos or ones licensed in places like Costa Rica, Anjouan/Comoros, Panama, or Belize, to name just a few bottom-tier licensing jurisdictions.
In other words, avoid these sites (and unlicensed casino sites) at all costs. Stick to playing at UK-licensed online casinos.
If an online casino claims to be licensed by the Gambling Commission, but you aren’t quite sure, you can easily check the list of licensees on the official Gambling Commission website to see if they are telling the truth.
Final thoughts
As mentioned, the Gambling Commission may appear stricter than other licensing authorities and regulators, but it’s all to protect players, eliminate fraud, and ensure transparency in the industry.
UK players are protected better than any other players because they have access to a wide range of ‘safer gambling tools’ designed to help players stay in control of their spending and prevent them from developing gambling problems.
For example, at any UK-licensed casino site when players can log into their accounts, they can track their deposits and withdrawals and use effective tools like session time reminders, time-outs for up to 6 weeks, more extended self-exclusion periods, deposit limits (daily, weekly, or monthly), and spending limits, to name a few.
In other words, there is no safer place to play than a UK-licensed gambling site because the Gambling Commission has the players’ best interests at heart, and so do the operators whom they license. Remember, never gamble at an unlicensed iGaming site, and never gamble while intoxicated.