The
UK gambling industry offers diverse forms of gambling to the public
including casino games, sports-betting, bingo and gaming machines. All
these are available on the high street and online from operators who
hold the necessary licences issued by the Gambling Commission and local
authorities, although in the case of online supplies the operator may be
licensed in an offshore jurisdiction. You are advised to check on an
operator's website which of its products is licensed where, and whether
you are satisfied from a review of the regulator's site that you will be
adequately protected if you play. Unfortunately not all online
licensing regimes have the same standards, albeit there are a number
that have very similar systems to the UK.
The UK gambling industry employs some 214,000 people. In addition to
the standard taxes that non-gambling businesses pay, the gambling
industry pays betting and gaming duties. In 2009 these duties amounted
to £1.4 billion. The industry is proud of its contribution to the
British economy. But the industry is also mindful of its social
responsibilities. Licensed gambling operators comply with stringent
licensing conditions designed to protect and help problem gamblers. For
example there are maximum limits on stakes and prizes, and procedures
are available to enable customers to have themselves excluded from
premises where gambling is available.
For a small number of people gambling may become a problem. The
seriousness of the industry's commitment to protecting and helping
problem gamblers is reflected in the size of the voluntary contribution
that it makes to fund gambling related research, education and
treatment. In 2012-2013 the industry contributed over £5 million via the
Responsible Gambling Trust, and is expected to contribute over £6
million in 2013-2014. The gambling industry is unique in funding
relevant research, education and treatment activities on this voluntary
basis. GambleAware® itself is owned and managed by the Responsible
Gambling Trust operating as GambleAware. More information about
GambleAware and it's work can be found at
www.about.gambleaware.org. For information about the Gambling Commission, regulators of the British gambling industry, please go to
www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Legal Ages
As a general rule, the minimum legal age for gambling in the UK is 18
years old. This applies to adult gaming centres, betting shops, bingo
halls, casinos, racetracks and online gambling. The exceptions to this
are the National Lottery, lotteries and football pools – you’re allowed
to take part in these from the age of 16 as well as some non-commercial
gambling, or low stakes and prizes gambling. However, some gaming
machines, such as coin pushers, teddy grabbers and some lower stakes
fruit machines in family entertainment centres and amusement arcades
don’t have a minimum legal age and are open to anyone. Note that a
person who is over the age of 16 and under 18 who participates in
gambling (not permitted under these exemptions) is also guilty of a
criminal offence. Again, participation in any gambling product offered
offshore may be subject to different rules, and it is advisable to check
the position.
Responsible Advertising
The industry code for socially responsible advertising can be found
here. More information about the code, including details about how to make a complaint about an advert, can be found
here.
Social Gaming
Currently in the UK games that do not enable you to win anything in
money or money's worth fall outside regulation and the parameters of our
remit. However the worldwide popularity of some of these games which
are constructed be highly interactive, sociable and compelling
(particularly where they bear a resemblance to play for real casino
games), may ultimately prompt regulators in the UK and elsewhere to
regulate.
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