{"id":35142,"date":"2023-06-01T14:36:54","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T14:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safebettingsites.com\/?page_id=35142"},"modified":"2023-06-01T14:36:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T14:36:54","slug":"the-ukgc-explained-introduction-to-the-uk-gambling-commission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.safebettingsites.com\/the-ukgc-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"The UKGC Explained: Introduction to the UK Gambling Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve ever used a UK gambling website, or heard some manner of gambling-related news, then you are probably aware of the UKGC. They are a Governmental department tasked with overseeing all gambling functions from betting to scratch cards and everything in between in the UK.<\/p>\n

All gambling operations in the UK must follow a tight array of regulations, but there is one key UKGC regulation that cannot be deviated from – any body offering any form of gambling in the UK must have a UKGC licence. This is why the only sites you will ever find mentioned on our pages are those that are properly licensed and regulated by the UKGC.<\/p>\n

The article will take a detailed look at the UKGC, including a delve into its history, why it was set up, what happened in the UK before its creation in regards to gambling, and what the UKGC has achieved since it was created in 2005.<\/p>\n

Who are the UKGC?<\/h2>\n

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission<\/a> is an independent government branch that is responsible for the supervision and regulation of most gambling-related activities in the UK. It was set up in 2005, mainly in response to the ever-growing proliferation of online gambling websites available to UK people. Prior to the advent of the internet, gambling was seen as something of a niche activity for people who wanted to use betting shops and real-world casinos. The advent of online gambling exposed to UK people to a degree of gambling that was previously unheralded. The Labour government at the time saw the need to protect people from the unlawful practices of some sites, and from themselves in terms of responsible gambling.<\/p>\n\"UKGC\"\n

The UK had always prefered an open attitude towards gambling throughout the country’s history, right up until the 1850s when most forms of gambling – for the hoi polloi at least – were banned. This ban was eased with the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 which permitted bingo halls as well as off-course betting shops. A second act in 1968 paved the way for commercial casinos and the establishment of the Gaming Board for Great Britain by 1970. It was the responsibility of the GBGB to consider local licensing applications for real-world casinos, bingo halls and betting shops.<\/p>\n

Despite legal frameworks being in place, prior to 2003 there existed no centralised body tasked with overseeing gambling functions across the United Kingdom. By 2003 though, the establishment of dozens of online casino and betting sites with licenses from places as diverse as Gibraltar, Alderney, Malta and Cura\u00e7ao raised the question – should a centralised agency in the UK be established? An appointed advisory board reviewed the situation and confirmed that indeed, a UK gambling commission was required. A new gambling act was brought into law in 2005 and by 2007 the UKGC were in full operation, replacing completely the GBGB.<\/p>\n

Currently based in Birmingham, the UKGC is a executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This means they are not part of a government department, which in turn means they are an independent public entity and not under the control of the current ruling party, similar to the BBC or the Bank of England.<\/p>\n

The forms of gambling that the UKGC oversees are as follows:<\/p>\n

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