For centuries, gambling has been part of the fabric of British culture. From even before the Middle Ages, people would make bets on outcomes, far from the influence of odds or betting markets. The outcomes would simply boil down to, “yes”, or “no.” Gambling has naturally evolved since that era, with horse racing responsible for creating the first bookmaker. Henry Ogden is known as the trailblazer for odds-based sports betting and his organised taking of bets at Newmarket in 1795 changed the sports betting industry permanently.
From basic stands at sporting events to high street stores, sports betting gained more recognition through the centuries. Nowadays, we are living amidst a digital revolution which has given birth to the online bookmaker and mobile apps that allow sports enthusiasts to place bets from the palm of their hands. This convenience and the interactive features built into sports betting websites and apps are winning over fans looking to place bets with more bets in the UK nowadays placed online.
But while the means of placing bets have become more convenient and accessible, what is the current attitude towards this shift to digital platforms and how are the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) keeping up with this rapid movement?
Better Protection
The UK government and UKGC are known as being one of the strictest regulators of online gambling in the world and they have taken the clear stance of protecting UK players on online casino and online sports betting operators. While the revenue generated from online gambling in the UK cannot be ignored, there is a clear emphasis on tackling problems with addiction and worse. A raft of measures have already been introduced over the years to tackle these issues.
No way to buy the bonus
Bonus buy games have proved popular in other markets around the world but players in the UK have not been able to access such features since 2019. There was much debate over the necessity and danger of such games and features, with the UKGC eventually determining that bonus buy features were outrageously expensive and actually led to more problems due to the amount of money invested to simply buy a bonus round.
Anti-addiction support
In the UK, there are organisations that work alongside the UKGC and online gambling operators in the UK to support players with gambling issues. Bodies such as Gamban, GamCare, GambleAware, and Betknowmore UK have 24/7 helplines for players at risk to reach out to.
However, while licensing of online gambling operators in the UK is strict, there are still international online casinos that are listed at the Daily Star that can be accessed by players in the UK. While banning certain features and placing limits (see next section) can be implemented by the UKGC and UK government, any similar ban on the browsing habits of UK citizens would prove much trickier.
Limits on online slots
In February 2024, further regulation on online gambling was introduced. Online slots, as the online casino community’s favourite game, was targeted again with spending limits introduced for all ages. Players between the ages of 18 and 24 were restricted to £2 per spin, while this limit was upped to £5 for players over 25. There was some divided opinion over the introduction of this rule, with many players feeling their spending rights were being impinged. However, the greatest concern for the government and UKGC was the prospect of players migrating to overseas providers to play under limit-free legislation.
More legislation to come, potentially
The above-mentioned rule introductions are an indication of the UK’s willingness to get a grip on online gambling, especially in a digital age where UK citizens have more access than ever before. While the majority of online gamblers might be in control of their playing and spending, the minority must be taken into account when setting restrictions and parameters for online gambling.
The UK is currently in the middle of a pilot project that monitors and executes “invisible” background checks on players that spend excessively on online gambling. With results set to be announced in March or April 2025, those that gamble in the UK might need to brace themselves for another change in the online gambling landscape.
There is also an argument that it is better for the rule makers to air on the side of caution right now by being stricter. Rules can also be reversed or altered, but while the world gets to grips with the digital wave, that caution is certainly being shown by the UK.
