How Did Gambling Gain Popularity?

Gambling has been around for a long time but really gained popularity in the UK during the 20^th century, and nowadays, 35% of all betting activity is done online. Unlike America, online gambling is not illegal, and as long as operators are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, anyone aged 18 or over can participate.

What Laws are there for Online Gambling?

1960 Betting and Gaming Act: This was the first law introduced that allowed bingo halls to operate. In 1961, betting houses were allowed to open, but there were many rules and regulations included, such as setting up premises, paying staff, keeping things fair between players and many more which put potential betting houses off. It was only intended to allow private games, but the law was so poorly written that it was easily bypassed and public gambling skyrocketed.

1968 Gaming Act: Outlined rules for commercial casinos.

1981 Betting and Gaming Duties Act: This built on the 1968 act, implementing restrictions on conducting and advertising any form of gambling outside of the UK.

2005 Gambling Act: This act was a major change to gambling laws. It aimed to prevent gambling from being a source of crime, protect any juveniles from being exploited by gambling, and ensure that it’s conducted in a fair manner. It also specifically regulates online gambling for the first time.

How do these Laws Affect You?

Since gambling in the UK is legal for anyone 18 or over, the regulations on gambling are tight and strict, meaning when you opt to use online casinos, as long as you make sure they are licensed, you can be certain that you and your money are in a safe environment. In fact, the UK’s regulations for gambling are some of the strictest in the world. Checking for the approval is your responsibility, but as long as you ensure that they’re on the whitelist, you can be certain that whilst using online casinos, you will avoid getting mixed up in any fraud or malpractice.

There are also 11 alternate dispute resolution providers, which you can turn to if you feel you’re being treated unfairly. Another positive is that any winnings you make from gambling are tax-free, meaning you keep every penny of your winnings. However, with all of this in mind, it’s important to still be aware that gambling can be dangerous if you lose control, and it’s possible to develop an addiction. There are, however, plenty of organisations that will provide the help necessary if it comes to that. Still confused if you should play on wifi or data? Find out here.