Why are gambling licences so important?
Gambling licences are there to protect you as a casino player by ensuring that your personal details and transactions are kept confidential.
On the other hand, a gambling licence also serves as evidence that a casino site is abiding by certain rules and regulations set by licencing authorities in particular jurisdictions.
Here at CasinoHawks, we want to point every player in the direction of safe, fun, and rewarding UK casino sites that offer amazing welcome casino bonuses, which is why we only promote licenced UK casino sites. Find reviews for top licenced best online casinos.
What are Gambling commissions and how do they operate?
A gambling commission is responsible for regulating gambling within a country. It is also responsible for supervising laws linked to gaming.
Youโve probably heard mention of the UK Gambling Commission, one of the most renowned gambling regulatory bodies in the casino industry, in relation to UK casino sites.ย
If you happen to be playing at a casino site licensed by the UKGC, you can be sure that youโre in safe hands.
Some other well-known gambling regulatory bodies that casino sites are typically licensed by are
Gambling licences in the UK
The UK Gambling Commission controls all gambling establishments in the UK. Gambling licences issued by the UKGC can take up to 16 weeks to obtain and are valid between 3 – 5 years.
Such a license grants permission to operate some of the following forms of entertainment:
- Casino
- Gambling software
- Lottery
- Betting
- Bingo
How to get a gambling licence?
Any gambling establishment seeking a gambling license in the UK will have to apply through the UKGC.
As mentioned earlier, the application process can take up to 16 weeks, whereby several areas are taken into consideration.
What are the criteria for casinos to be licenced?
Casinos that wish to obtain licences to operate their gambling establishments must meet the following criteria:
- Have social responsibility to promote safer gambling for all UK players
- Comply with technical standards and requirements
- Have effective anti-money laundering strategies
- Be capable of handling complaints and dispute efficiently
Can a casino operate without a licence?
There are those casino sites that operate without licences, however, playing at such casino sites is not advised.
As gambling regulations are subject to change continuously, plenty of casinos opt to follow them in order to keep their licences, and these are the types of casino sites that you’ll find when browsing our casino site catalogue.
What are Blacklisted casinos?
As you may already have guessed, a “blacklisted” casino site is a site that can’t be trusted.
Gambling at blacklisted casino sites could pose a serious risk to your personal and financial safety, therefore, our advice is to stay away from such casino sites altogether.
As previously mentioned, there are several trusted UK casino sites with valid gambling licences, some of which you can find here at CasinoHawks, that offer players trusted payment methods and safe and fun environments to play in.
Conclusion
When looking for casino sites to play at, one of the most important things to look out for is whether these particular sites are licenced to operate.
The process for obtaining a UKGC gambling license is meticulous, so no casino site easily passes through the process.
As the UK Gambling Commission is one of the most trusted gambling license providers, you can be sure that any casino site licensed by the regulatory body will provide you with a safe and fun casino site experience.
You can start your journey at a trusted UK casino site by browsing our Casino Site Catalogue today.