Everything You Need to Know About Online Gambling Laws in the UK

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: March 9, 2020

In the UK, a big part of the big business and the national psyche is contributed by online gaming.in the year April 2018 – March 2019 the online gambling industry yielded a whooping £14.4 billion. In addition, there were 36.6 million online gambling accounts in 2018. Despite this, many people still wonder if at all online gaming is legal in the UK.

Illegal, legal © Fathromi Ramdlon

Yes, indeed it is. Below is everything you need to know about UK gambling laws and government regulation around the industry to ensure that whilst you are playing poker games or favourite online slots, you are always on the right side of the law.

What Effects Does UK Gambling Laws Have on You

Before you are allowed to legally gamble online in the UK you have to be 18 or older. Before you can access any gambling site, you are to fulfill this requirement before visiting the site. To avoid fraud and malpractice, it is advised that you ensure each website you visit is licenced by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Other gambling laws that are set to impact your individual gambling experience are that any winnings one makes while gambling online are not considered to be taxable income. This simply means that yu will keep 100% of everything you win.

Gambling Act of 2005

The gambling act of 2005 was brought forth to licence and regulate the whole gambling industry, while keenly focusing to online gambling. The act was introduced to regulate gambling within the borders and to ensure that the industry did not become an avenue of disorder and crime.

Ultimately the aim was to ensure an open and safe gambling environment within the UK, and ensures that if you are a resident of the UK then you can participate at online casinos, poker rooms, bingo sites, sportsbooks and lottery sites legally a The Act had a larger implication on the operators of online gambling websites themselves rather than on the site users.

Firstly, all remote gambling operators providing services to customers in the UK are required to obtain a license from the UK Gambling Commission. The UK Gambling Commission now has a wider role, including help and support for gambling addiction or gambling compulsion. To borrow from a popular phrase: when the fun stops, stop.

Ultimately, aside from the rules and restrictions that are in place for your own protection and safety, there are very few limitations to online gambling in the UK. It is a fun and legal leisure activity that anyone over the age of 18 is free to take part in.

In addition, the Gambling Act 2005 forbids all foreigners and those without a Gambling Commission license from advertising their services to customers in the UK. The whitelist makes exceptions to the advertising ban for certain jurisdictions that prove they meet the standards set forth by the Gambling Act 2005.