The regulation of gambling varies globally. Physical and online gambling are regulated in the UK under strict rules. These regulations mainly concern gambling enterprises, outlining fair operation guidelines. Yet, players need to understand legal and illegal to avoid legal trouble.
This page briefly summarises UK gambling laws, followed by a more detailed exploration. Familiarising yourself with these laws is crucial before engaging in any gambling activity.
Un Resumen de las Leyes de Juego en el Reino Unido
La Ley de Juegos de 2005 legalised many forms of gambling in the UK. This act eased prior laws, expanded betting choices, and established six gambling forms: arcades, Betting, bingo, casinos, lotteries, and gaming machines.
Cada categoría tiene reglas, regulaciones y requisitos de licencia distintos.
UK residents and visitors can participate in these activities if they are 18 or older. This age limit extends to “remote gambling”, a term for non-in-person gambling methods, such as internet, radio, and telephone gambling. Postal services are not considered remote Betting. The minimum online gambling age is also 18.
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates the gambling industry. It issues licenses to gambling facilities that satisfy rigorous government standards. The UKGC also conducts audits to ensure player safety. A UKGC license is necessary for legal gambling operations.
Tipos de Juego Legal Definidos
These are the legally defined gambling types and facilities per UK gambling laws.
Salas de juegos se dividen en tres tipos: Centros de Juego para Adultos (AGCs), Centros de Entretenimiento Familiar (FECs), y Centros de Entretenimiento Familiar No Licenciados (uFECs). AGCs feature casino games and fruit machines. FECs offer various gaming machines for both adults and children. uFECs, small FECs that don’t serve alcohol, require a local permit, not a UKGA license.
Apuestas
Betting involves all real money wagers, including sports, horse, and greyhound racing. “Fixed-odds betting”, “pool betting”, and “spread betting” are defined under UK gambling laws. “Betting prize competitions” include fantasy leagues and football pools. “Betting intermediaries” are operators arranging direct Betting between two parties.
Bingo
The Gambling Act of 2005 does not provide a legal bingo definition. Still, the UKGA identifies bingo if three principles are met: it must be a game of equal chance, involve player participation, and have a defined endpoint. Bingo can be online or offline; licensing, except for fundraising events, is generally needed.
Casinos
Casinos can be physical or online, mainly offering table games and slot machines. Some UK casinos can offer other games like poker, bingo, and Betting. Casinos are typically categorised by size based on game availability and the gaming floor’s size.
Loterías A lottery is a game of chance to win prizes, including predetermined and post-drawn lotteries. Lottery players can choose their numbers, potentially resulting in multiple winners. Only licensed lottery retailers can sell tickets.
Máquinas de Juego
These machines are found in UK casinos, betting shops, and bingo halls. The machines are categorised based on their stakes and prizes. Some gaming machines are age-restricted and venue-specific.
La Evolución de la Industria del Juego en el Reino Unido
El juego ha sido parte de la tradición del Reino Unido durante muchos años. La primera lotería se lanzó en 1576 por la Reina Isabel, and horse racing became a national sport in the 1800s. Despite opposition, the UK government consistently supported gambling legality.
The Gambling Act of 2005 significantly liberalised legal gambling. It introduced robust regulatory requirements for player protection and modernised to include remote gambling. The act’s main goals were:
- Proteger a los niños y a las personas vulnerables del daño o la explotación del juego.
- Asegurando un juego justo y abierto.
- Previniendo que el juego se convierta en una fuente de crimen o desorden.
En 2019, la UKGC actualizó leyes de juego del Reino Unido, specifically for online gambling regulation. Key changes included mandatory age verification across all licensed sites. In 2020, the UKGC banned credit card use for gambling to promote responsible gambling and control addiction. The legislation is updated annually.
Adquisición de Licencias Generales de Operador
According to UK laws, any business can apply for a licensed gambling operator status by meeting the UKGC’s strict rules. Any licensed company can offer gambling services to Great Britain citizens. These businesses can operate in Great Britain or offshore. The application process typically takes around 16 weeks, and a fee is required upon application. Once licensed, businesses can legally operate after paying the annual licensing fees within 30 days.
Leyes Especiales de Lotería en el Reino Unido
The UK National Lottery operates under different laws but is still regulated by the UKGC. Misuse of lottery profits is punishable by imprisonment of 51 weeks and fines of up to £5,000. Operating a lottery without a UKGC permit or operating a National Lottery without UKGC permission are serious offences with substantial penalties.
El gobierno del Reino Unido propone regulaciones más estrictas para el juego en línea
The UK government is proposing stricter regulations for online casinos to overhaul British gambling laws. However, most measures will undergo further consultations, suggesting additional delays to the anticipated changes.
Revelación de Propuestas en el Libro Blanco
The outcome of a review launched in 2020 will be published in a white paper on Thursday, following numerous postponements. With this, ministers plan to introduce measures to enhance gambling safety after a series of high-profile cases where customers experienced severe losses or committed suicide.
Principales Cambios Propuestos
Los cambios propuestos que se revelarán en el libro blanco incluyen:
- Un impuesto obligatorio sobre los ingresos de la industria.
- Restricciones en las apuestas de máquinas tragamonedas en línea, limitadas entre £2 y £15.
- Implementación de medidas para desacelerar los juegos de casino en línea.
- Relajación de restricciones para casinos terrestres.
- Campañas de juego más seguro iniciadas por el gobierno.
- Introduciendo controles de asequibilidad de "bajo impacto".
Hotly Debated Measures: Affordability Checks and Digital Marketing Restrictions
However, several hotly debated measures like affordability checks for heavy loss-making gamblers, limitations on digital marketing, and the precise cap level for online slot machine stakes are expected to undergo further consultation due to legislative backlog in parliament.
Apuestas en Juegos de Tragamonedas en Línea
Stakes for online slot machine games are currently unlimited, despite having some of the highest addiction rates of any gambling product. Proposed changes include limits of £2 for under-25s, aligning with the cap for customers of all ages on shop-based fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). The exact levels for older players, potentially up to £15 per spin, will be decided later.
Enfoque ligero en los controles de asequibilidad
Regarding affordability checks aimed at preventing financial ruin, a light-touch approach is expected. This might entail credit checks when customers reach a certain loss threshold. The Gambling Commission is anticipated to be asked to consult on the specifics of these checks.
Restricciones de Marketing Digital
Restrictions on digital marketing, such as “free” bets or bonus promotions, are also expected to be put to further consultation. Despite the industry’s lobbying against stringent checks, ministers are expected to impose them.
Impuesto obligatorio sobre los ingresos de la industria
Industry revenues will be subjected to a mandatory 1% gross gaming yield levy to fund addiction education, treatment, and research. The sector’s current voluntary contributions vary per company.
Nuevo Rol del Departamento de Salud’
The Department of Health is also expected to assume responsibility for safer gambling messages, presently managed by the industry and GambleAware charity.
Relajación de las reglas para los casinos terrestres
While online gambling will see tighter regulations, land-based casinos will experience a loosening of rules. Smaller casinos can increase their gambling machines from 20 to 80, and more upscale venues can offer credit to high-rollers from abroad.
Reflexiones finales
The measures aim to ensure safer gambling environments and protect vulnerable individuals. However, these regulatory changes may be altered based on further consultations and feedback.
Soporte Disponible
In case of emotional distress and crisis, various helplines are available internationally. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted by email at jo@samaritans.org.
