Bingo also called Lotto has been recognized as a social game and can get together the family and friends. This game of chance has existed for a long time precisely in the mid-1500s. With the rise of the internet, Bingo has become ubiquitous in the UK online casino and people prefer to play bingo rather than Keno.
As the United Kingdom is one of the world centres of online gambling, this territory has implemented laws to keep gambling safer and fairer. Indeed, Bingo is also involved in these regulations to enable the fans to play in a safe and transparent mood. Here, you will find all you need to know about Bingo laws and regulations in the United Kingdom.
UK Gambling Commission: Roles and Responsibilities
Set-up under the 2005 Gambling Act, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission is a local licencing authority and regulatory. This government body came into effect on September 1st, 2007, and has the main responsibilities to provide licences and to regulate gambling businesses within the UK. This gambling field includes online and land-based gambling.
In the online gambling sector, UKGC regulates online casinos, sports betting, online poker, and online lottery. As for land-based gambling, this authority regulates the casinos, bookmakers, poker rooms, and many others. Apart from licensing these gambling operators, the commission focuses on the following responsibilities to make the gambling fairer and safer:
To prevent illegal and criminal activities associated with gambling
The UKGC ensures that all licence holders should apply an effective policy to avoid any possible illegal activity in the gambling halls or platforms. Hence, if an operator does not apply effective measures to preclude these issues, it will be punished by this powerful entity.
To investigate if the licensees use Gamstop scheme
The Gambling Commission makes sure that the operators’ products are developed by licensed providers. Despite the fact that some online bingo sites not registered with Gamstop provide high-quality games, the UKGC ones relate to more reliable operators. Besides, the UKGC ensures that the gamblers are not deceived with non-Gamstop promotions and advertisements offered by the operators.
The UKGC is responsible for delivering gambling licences
The operators must hold a separate licence for each form of gambling activity from the UKGC. The regulatory entity provides different types of the operating licence. To enter the British market, gambling operators must hold an operating licence appropriate to their businesses. These licences include Betting, Casino, Arcades, Bingo, Gaming machines, Gambling software, and Lotteries.
Bingo Regulation and Legislation in the UK
Bingo is a game of chance that is widely attractive in both the bingo clubs and the online platforms. This game can be remote and non-remote meaning that the players can have fun with it on the premises or the gaming machines. Bingo is set under the Gaming Acts 1968, 2005, and 2014. As stated in the UK law, this game can only be available on the licensed bingo premises and the players must be present at the moment when the game takes place.
According to the 2005 Act, the regulation of this game is based on the three fundamental categories:
- Bingo gambling must be fair
- Bingo platforms must not be the sources of illegal activities and crimes
- Gambling operators must protect children and vulnerable players.
Moreover, as stated by the 2014 Act that was revised, any online bingo platform targeting the UK players must hold a licence from the UKGC. These bingo sites must respect the laws on advertising and tax. Both online and land-based gaming sectors require bingo licences including premises licences, operating licences, and personal management licences.
The UKGC’s Whitelist
The United Kingdom has a whitelist when it comes to advertising and licensing rules. These countries that include in this whitelist are permitted to operate as well as to provide their services within the UK territory. As they have similar legislation regarding the players’ protections such as the self-exclusion system availability, these regulators are permitted to advertise to the customers there. Therefore, the bingo players are completely allowed to play with the operators who are licensed and regulated by the following regulatory authorities:
- EEA (European Economic Area) Countries
- Alderney Gambling Commission
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Gibraltar Gambling Commission
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
- Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission
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