It seems that the British online gambling industry is set to become safer in the year 2020 with some newly-introduced regulation already having an impact on the sector.
The major gambling regulatory body in the country – the UK Gambling Commission (UКGC) – has invested a lot of time and efforts over the past few years in order to establish a solid, fair, trustworthy and transparent industry. Some of the newest regulations cover gambling advertising, as well as age verification issues as some of the matters with a paramount priority that have been set by the watchdog. Both of them are expected to make the gambling industry’s public perception better and make sure local customers are more responsible when it comes to gambling.
As mentioned above, an advertising rules update has been among the most important changes that have been made in the gambling sector of the UK, with the changes being preceded by plenty of criticism for the regulatory failure to ensure better protection for UK residents. Several months ago, the largest players in the country’s gambling sector self-imposed an advertisement ban after making a decision to suspend gambling advertising broadcast during live sporting events aired on television.
That was one of the most notable changes made in the regulation, or should we say in the self-regulation, of the advertising during televised live sports events. A voluntary ban on gambling adverts at the time when such events are aired on TV was imposed by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling in August 2019. Under the move, no gambling adverts are not allowed to be displayed during live sporting events before the 9:00 PM watershed.
UKGC Trying to Protect Most Vulnerable Society Members from Gambling-Related Harm
Apart from that, the British gambling industry watchdog has also introduced new rules regarding the age verification practices of the local online gambling companies.
Prior to the newly-unveiled regulation, gambling operators had been given 72 hours to carry out age verification checks but that practice was criticised, as it had been providing underage individuals with the chance to place bets.
Fortunately, the UKGC decided to quickly address the issue by unveiling new rules under which gambling operators are required to make sure they check the customer’s age before they are given the opportunity to deposit any money in their accounts, gamble with it or take advantage of any free bonus or bet available. The restrictions are also valid for the free versions of any games offered by gambling companies on the Internet.
Under the upgraded rules, every gambling company is required to verify the name, date of birth and address of their customers before the latter are allowed to place bets. Any additional information required must also be requested by the operator and provided by the customer in a timely manner. The requested personal details are also necessary to prevent both operators and customers from circumventing gambling self-exclusion programs that are currently available in the UK.
- Author
Olivia Cole
