The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the major gambling regulatory body of Great Britain. Currently, the Commission has control over most, but not all, gambling activities in the country.
The UK’s gambling regulatory body was created under the provisions of the Gambling Act of 2005. The Commission assumed its full powers and responsibilities two years later, after being granted with the country’s Gaming Board in 2007.
Up to date, it specialises in controlling all land-based casino, sports betting, lotteries, bingo, slots machines and arcade games providers in the country. The UKGC is also responsible for regulating the remote gambling activities in Great Britain, including the companies that operate online, by telephone and other communication devices in the country. In October 2013, the UK Gambling Commission merged with the National Lottery Commission (NLC), and is now responsible for regulating the National Lottery as well.
Spread betting, however, is excluded from the scope of the UK Gambling Commission’s powers and responsibilities, and is currently put under the control of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Main Responsibilities of UKGC
The UK Gambling Commission is aimed at making sure that all casino, gaming and sports betting operations on the territory of the country are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The regulatory body also needs to make sure that children and more vulnerable people are protected from the negative effects of gambling activities.
One of the most important responsibilities of the UK Gambling Commission is the power to issue operating licences to the gambling companies in the country. Imposing fines and revoking licenses is also among the key responsibilities of the Commission. The licensing procedures, monitoring and control are also within the UKGC’ scope of action whenever it comes to remote operators and online gambling activities.
Apart from customers’ protection, issuing operating licenses and imposing various fees on gambling operators who fail to act in line with the current UK gambling legislation and regulatory framework, the UK Gambling Commission has also been responsible for monitoring the work of the National Lottery. The country’s regulatory body needs to guarantee the National Lottery’s customers that the latter’s activities are fair and reliable.
Regulation
The UK Gambling Commission has always worked in close collaboration with other regulatory bodies and authorities. The policy of mutual cooperation and coordination has been one of the basic points in its work through the years. In addition, the Commission has been devoted to imposing transparent, proportionate and fair control on the gambling operators in Great Britain, so that it gathers and assesses information in order to guarantee these principles.
In addition, advising central and local Government is also among the basics of the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities.
- Author
Daniel Williams
