全球对赌博的监管各不相同。在英国，实体赌博和在线赌博都受到严格的监管。这些法规主要涉及赌博企业，规定了公平经营的准则。然而，玩家需要了解合法与非法，以避免法律纠纷。
本页简要概述了英国的赌博法律，随后将进行更详细的探讨。在参与任何赌博活动之前，熟悉这些法律至关重要。
英国赌博法律概览
The Gaming Act of 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.
每个类别都有不同的规则、条例和许可要求。
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.
英国赌博委员会（UKGC）负责监管赌博业。它向符合政府严格标准的赌博设施颁发许可证。UKGC 还进行审计，以确保玩家安全。合法赌博经营必须持有 UKGC 许可证。
合法赌博类型的定义
这些都是英国赌博法律规定的合法赌博类型和设施。
Arcades are divided into three types: Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs), Family Entertainment Centres (FECs), and Unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres (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.
博彩
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.
宾果
2005 年的《赌博法》并未对宾果游戏做出合法定义。不过，如果宾果游戏符合以下三项原则，英国博彩协会就会将其认定为宾果游戏：宾果游戏必须是机会均等的游戏，必须有玩家参与，必须有明确的终点。宾果游戏可以是在线的，也可以是离线的；除筹款活动外，一般都需要许可证。
赌场
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.
Lotteries 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.
游戏机
英国的赌场、投注站和宾果厅都有这些游戏机。这些游戏机根据赌注和奖金进行分类。有些游戏机有年龄限制和场地限制。
英国博彩业的演变
多年来，赌博一直是英国传统的一部分。第一次彩票由伊丽莎白女王于1576年推出，赛马在19世纪成为一项全国性运动。尽管有反对意见，英国政府始终支持赌博合法化。
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:
- 保护儿童和弱势群体免受赌博伤害或剥削。
- 确保公平、公开的博彩活动。
- 防止赌博成为犯罪或混乱的根源。
In 2019, the UKGC updated UK gambling laws, 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.
获取通用运营许可证
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.
英国的特殊彩票法
英国国家彩票根据不同的法律运作，但仍受英国博彩委员会监管。滥用彩票利润可处以 51 周监禁和最高 5,000 英镑的罚款。在未获得英国博彩业监管委员会许可的情况下经营彩票或在未获得英国博彩业监管委员会许可的情况下经营国家彩票均属严重违法行为，将受到严厉处罚。
英国政府提议实施更严格的在线博彩法规
英国政府提议对在线赌场实施更严格的监管，以全面修订英国赌博法。然而，大多数措施还需要进一步磋商，这表明预期的改革还会推迟。
白皮书提案揭晓
在多次推迟之后，2020 年启动的审查结果将在本周四的白皮书中公布。在发生了一系列顾客损失惨重或自杀的高知名度案件后，部长们计划以此为契机，推出加强赌博安全的措施。
主要拟议变更
将在白皮书中公布的修改建议包括
- 对行业收入征收的强制性税款。
- 限制在线老虎机赌注，仅限 2 至 15 英镑。
- 采取措施，减少在线赌场游戏。
- 放宽对陆上赌场的限制。
- 政府发起的加强赌博安全运动。
- Introducing “light-touch” affordability checks.
热议措施：负担能力检查和数字营销限制
然而，由于议会立法工作的积压，几项引起激烈争论的措施，如对严重亏损赌徒的负担能力检查、对数字营销的限制、在线老虎机赌注的精确上限水平等，预计还将进行进一步磋商。
在线老虎机游戏的投注额
在线老虎机游戏的赌注目前是无限的，尽管其上瘾率在所有赌博产品中是最高的。拟议的修改包括将 25 岁以下玩家的赌注限制为 2 英镑，这与店内固定赔率投注终端（FOBT）对所有年龄段玩家的上限一致。针对年龄较大玩家的具体限额（可能高达每转 15 英镑）将在稍后决定。
对负担能力检查采取 "轻触式 "方法
关于旨在防止财务危机的负担能力检查，预计将采取轻触式方法。这可能需要在客户达到一定的损失门槛时进行信用检查。预计将要求博彩委员会就这些检查的具体细节进行磋商。
数字营销限制
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.
对行业收入征收强制性税
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.
Department of Health’s New Role
预计卫生部还将承担目前由业界和 GambleAware 慈善机构管理的加强赌博安全信息的责任。
放宽陆上赌场规则
虽然网络赌博将受到更严格的监管，但陆上赌场的规则将有所松动。规模较小的赌场可以将赌博机从 20 台增加到 80 台，较高档的赌场可以向来自国外的大额赌客提供信贷。
最后想说的话
这些措施旨在确保更安全的赌博环境，保护弱势人群。不过，这些监管变化可能会根据进一步的磋商和反馈意见进行修改。
可用支持
In case of emotional distress and crisis, various helplines are available internationally. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted by email at jo [at] samaritans [dot] org.
