United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)There are probably only a few industries where regulation is as necessary as in the iGaming and gambling industry sector. The UK Gambling Commission, which is responsible for numerous online casinos, is just such an authority. There are countless providers, of which every reputable representative must have at least one official license. Regulation is extremely important because only every player knows that his bet is in good hands and that there are real chances of winning.
If you play online, you should always take a look at the certificate of your casino. In case the provider can present a license from the Gambling Commission, it’s proof that this is a serious and trustworthy one. If such a certificate is not available, no safe game can be guaranteed. In this case, players should avoid opening an account with this provider.
What is the UK Gambling Commission?
The UK Gambling Commission, also known as the British Gaming Authority in German, is the licensing authority of the United Kingdom. The provider is responsible for all companies and people who provide any kind of gambling service in the UK. At the same time, this authority is also responsible for the well-known National Lottery. The UKGC’s activities focus on three main areas: the public, gambling and licensing. In other words, every UK gambling provider must be able to withstand the tests and exams of the Gambling Commission.
How the UKGC works
Before an online casino can entertain British players, a major hurdle has to be overcome with the UK Gambling Commission. A provider must not start operating until carefully examined in advance by the regulatory authority. In plain language, this means, for example, that you first have to look at the provider’s background.
UKGC examines thoroughly first to find out whether the owners are serious and trustworthy enough. In addition to seriousness, finances also play an important role. Every provider must be able to demonstrate that he is financially well-positioned and the winnings are guaranteed to be paid out to the players. The competence and player protection or the integrity of a provider also plays an important role. The bottom line is that if you hold a certificate from the UK Gambling Commission, you have earned it.
Advantages of UKGC licensed casinos
The benefits of playing in a regulated online casino should be clear. Every player can rely on a reputable framework and that he will be treated fairly. We once looked at the specific benefits of regulation by the UK Gambling Commission. We have detailed these below.
1. Protection of the players
Every online casino must adhere to strict guidelines when it comes to protecting players. And the UK Gambling Commission is responsible for monitoring these safeguards. Specifically, this means that online casinos, for example, can provide certain safeguards for handling player data. Where there is a lot of money involved, criminals are always looking for ways to get their players’ data. To ensure that this does not happen, the UKGC regularly checks to what extent the protection of player data is implemented in an online casino. Such requirements are of course not only checked in day-to-day business but also before a gaming permit is issued. So, every player can be sure that the data is processed with the greatest care.
2. Fair play
Another essential part of the UK Gambling Commission’s work is guaranteeing fair play. The authority ensures that every player starts with the same chances and that every player can really hope for a win with his provider. By the way, it doesn’t matter whether it’s roulette, blackjack or slot machines. All games are checked and are therefore absolutely fair. This is guaranteed by the “Random Number Generator” (RNG), which can also be easily translated into German as a random number generator.
This random generator ensures, for example, random cards in blackjack or that completely independent results can be found in the slot with every reel rotation. The way in which these random generators work is checked regularly so that a good feeling can be promised when playing. By the way: Many casinos with a certificate from the UKGC offer double protection in this regard, as they have their random generators and payout rates checked again separately by independent companies.
3. Player credit must be kept separate from corporate assets
If a casino wants to get the gaming and lotteries certificate from the UK authority, the provider must be able to guarantee the security of all players’ deposits. Not only against the possible threats posed by cybercriminals but also with a view to your own misconduct. In detail, this means: If an online casino gets into financial difficulties, the player’s money must not be affected.
The UKGC ensures that the license is only granted if the players’ credit is kept separate from the rest of the company’s assets. If the provider then faces a financial imbalance, the players’ money will not be affected and they can simply pay off their credit. Especially for players!
4. Contact person for complaints
In the best case, everything goes according to plan in an online casino: the player deposits, places his bets, and whenever he wins he withdraws his winnings. In the past, however, there have always been disputes between players and online casinos. The players often felt mistreated and in many cases also helpless. After all, apart from the casino itself, no other contact person was available.
UKGC has changed this fact significantly. If players feel that they are being treated unfairly or even deceived by a casino, this can easily be reported to the British authority. This then carries out investigations and will sanction the provider if necessary.
This is an enormous advantage for all players because otherwise, a possible lawsuit against an operator would be almost impossible. The providers are located outside the country, which makes the whole thing much more difficult and, above all, more expensive. In this sense, the UKGC is a first-class point of contact for problems with British online casinos.
How do I recognize UK Gambling Commission licensed casinos?
In order to discover reputable and trustworthy providers holding a UK Gambling Commission license, you can easily use our homepage. The UK online casinos section features providers who just work with a UKGC license. In other words, here every player is definitely on the right side and can’t go wrong. Alternatively, there is the option to look directly on the website of the British Gaming Authority. Here, of course, all providers can be found who are licensed by this authority.
Players should check the license number on the UKGC homepage. This must match the license number on the provider’s website. If so, a regular license and a secure offer can be assumed. If the two numbers do not match, something may not be right here. It would be wrong to take a quick look at the provider’s website and look for the UKGC logo here. Putting this on your own website without a valid license is no problem for fraudsters.
How does a complaint work?
If you actually want to complain about the performance or the work of an online casino, you will find a precise specification on the website of the British authority that should be followed. In the first step, the players must first check with the provider all terms and conditions that are relevant to their own case and relate to their own account.
If this is not the case, the route leads through customer support. Or alternatively via the website of the UGKC, where contacts for all licensed casinos can be found. It is important that players mention all relevant facts in a conversation with the contact person. The provider will face the problem and then contact the player again. If the process doesn’t satisfy the players, they can contact again the UKGC. With the help of the ADR program, further investigations will follow which help to clarify the case. For more detailed information, contact the Complaints office of the Gambling Commission.
The history of the UK Gambling Commission
In theory, the founding of the Gambling Commission goes back to 2005. In that year the Gambling Act was passed in Great Britain, which provided for the creation of its own gaming authority. Two years later, the UGKC became active in practice and has since then been responsible for controlling the online gambling market in Great Britain. This includes not only sports betting and casinos services, but also the National Lottery.
Over the years, the authority’s area of ​​responsibility has expanded significantly. Since 2014, the provider is no longer only responsible for land-based providers within the UK, but also for every online casino site and the so-called off-shore casinos. Off-shore casinos mean providers that are based in Malta, for example, but still, search for British players. These providers must also have a license from the British Gaming Authority.
By the way: The UKGC is not only responsible for England, but also for players from Wales and Scotland. If a provider wants to offer their games in these countries, a license from the British gambling commission must be available.
Conclusion
It can happen to any player that he feels treated unfairly or is not satisfied with the performance of an online casino. On a regulated market, you can quickly find suitable contact points, including the UK Gambling Commission. The authority takes care of all problems of the players and ensures that the providers comply with all legal requirements regarding player and data protection.
