Over the course of iGaming history, the United Kingdom has remained one of the leading authorities amongst the constantly growing number of markets across the planet and continues to revamp the industry norms. From the early beginnings, the focus from the point of view of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the UK government was to ensure a legal framework for the secure regulation of online gambling activity was being followed.
As one of the first markets to venture into this unknown territory, there was a lot of initial “trial and error” in the attempt to produce a successful iGaming industry that would prove financially fruitful for the British economy, while also providing an alternative and safe entertainment avenue for UK casino and sports enthusiasts. Despite both online casinos and online sports books proving extremely popular since they first burst onto the scene in the mid 1990’s, the greater challenges with regards to regulation have originated from the online casino world, perhaps due to the ability to make repetitive bets on a never-ending game.
Decades ago, decision-makers within this rapidly growing industry would be constantly faced with new challenges as a result of being the market to set the standards. Challenges that have moulded and evolved the industry into what it is today. Compliance from operators and the threat of illegal online casinos were initial challenges to overcome, while more operational aspects such as technical requirements stunted the initial euphoria surrounding this new form of entertainment.
The greatest danger of them all
However, one of the biggest challenges to face the UKGC and UK-licensed online casino operators was the threat of online gambling addiction. The risk of gambling addiction was by no means a new topic, but the online based nature of online casinos posed a new threat to regulators who had a responsibility to protect the UK online casino playing population.
Due to the serious threat of addiction to individuals and households, which emerged as a more urgent topic in society around the mid-2000’s, when the Labour government under Tony Blair passed the Gambling Act 2005, regulators in the UK have been attempting to find the finest of balances between allowing an increasingly popular industry to thrive, while also protecting its citizens from such dangers that could affect people of all legal playing ages.
More vigilant checks were conducted to ensure only people over the age of 18 were able to sign up to online casino websites. Further challenges related to advertising on television, live events and the internet began to quickly emerge as controversial topics due to the rapid rise of online gamblers using online casinos and online bookmakers. And in 2019, the currently popular bonus buy slots UK were banned on UK-licensed operators as a further measure to curb gambling addiction. While they still remain available on non-UK online casinos, the UK set their stall out on this type of game, where players can buy bonus rounds, at an early stage.
Players First
But until the present day and most definitely beyond into the future, the risk of online gambling addiction remains the priority and over the past few years, a new wave of measures have been introduced to further display the responsibility the UKGC are taking over this subject. At the end of February 2024, regulations were introduced that limited the amount certain age groups could wager on online slots games. For players between the ages of 18-24, £2 is the maximum that can be bet. For those over 25, this increases to £5.
These measures, along with “invisible background checks” on players that incur high losses, are a signal of intent made by the UKGC and British government to get a grip on online gambling problems. The results of the pilot projects are yet to be announced, with the potential of further limitations a distinct possibility. Despite the raft of regulations introduced, online casinos in the UK continue to thrive and contribute significantly to the UK economy.
The changing of the landscape with regards to regulation is merely a sign of the status the UK holds as an industry leader. There is a degree of adaptation for online casino players in the UK, but with a rapidly growing market evolving off the island, the options are also multiplying quickly. With more technological innovations set to alter the online casino landscape further, the UK could be set for more change. But players can at least rest safe in the knowledge that any changes are made with the safety of players in mind. And changes that also make the UK online casino industry one of the most respected around the world.
