About the United Kingdom Jurisdiction

The United Kingdom is one of the world’s major political powers as well as a highly developed country from an economic standpoint. However, in recent years more and more casino operators in the United Kingdom are moving their operations to other countries, which offer lower taxes.

The Gambling Commission, which was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain, is an independent non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Gambling Commission is already one of the strongest gaming organisations in the world. It seeks to ensure that crime is kept out of gambling, that gambling is fair and open, and that children and the vulnerable are protected. The commission is currently trying to make offshore locations adhere to the same standards and tax laws that the UK features.

United Kingdom Licences

The Gambling Commission license operators and individuals providing the following activities in Great Britain:

• arcades

• betting

• bingo

• casinos

• gaming machine supply and maintenance

• gambling software supply

• lotteries and external lottery managers

• remote gambling (including betting online, by telephone, or via any other electronic communication device) using British-based equipment.

In order to operate a gambling business in the UK , a company must submit an application to the Gambling Commission, which will review it and decide if the company is fit to operate out of Britain. When considering the suitability of an applicant The Gambling Commission has regard to the following elements:

• the identity of the applicant,

• financial and other circumstances of the applicant,

• the honesty and trustworthiness of the applicant,

• the experience, expertise, qualifications and history of the applicant,

• criminal record of the applicant.

What is more, the companies must also pay the comparatively high annual taxes that the UK imposes. Annual taxes in the United Kingdom are 15% on profits, and this is a major reason why many companies choose to operate elsewhere.

Resolution of Complaints and Disputes

The Gambling Commission takes all complaints very seriously. If you wish to complain about the way a gambling business is being run, which may indicate a threat to the licensing objectives of the Gambling Commission, you should follow the complaints procedure set out at their website.

Summing up

Although The Gambling Commission is already one of the strongest gaming organisations in the world and it guarantees fairness of gaming and player protection, many companies, such as Ladbrokes and William Hill have moved their operations from the country due to high taxes. Nevertheless, if you wonder whether to deposit money at a casino licensed by the Gambling Commission or not, you can be sure that the casino operates in a fair and open way.

For more information visit the UK Gambling Commission’s website at http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/

Online casinos with a licence granted by the UK Gambling Commission:

• Guru Play Casino

• All Slots Casino

• 32 Red Casino

• Captain Cooks Casino

• Yukon Gold Casino

• Ladbrokes Casino

• William Hill Casino

• Club UK Casino

• Grand Mondial Casino

• Casino Share

• Vegas 7 Casino

• Aztec Riches Casino

• All Jackpots Casino

• Betfred Casino

• Circus Casino

• Grand Duke Casino

• Ruby Fortune Casino

• UK Casino Club

• 888.com Online Casino

• Getminted Casino

• Sky Vegas Casino

• Jackpotjoy

• Mecca Games Casino

• Smart Live Casino

• Play United Casino

• Cirrus Casino UK

• Europa Casino