Legal Status of Online Gambling
Internet gambling has always lived in a bit of a grey area in UK law. The country was traditionally been anti-gambling until the 1960s, but after the government granted provinces the right to decide whether to allow gambling or poker, some areas began holding lotteries and some casinos were constructed.
Whether or not that edict grants the right for online gambling, online casinos or online poker, is a matter of debate, though. Thus far, UK have been able to enjoy casino and poker games online without bother. Continue reading to learn more.
6 Important Facts On Gambling In UK
1) The Criminal Code: The Criminal Code of UK does not make it illegal to gamble online unless it falls under recognized areas of the code. The actual wording is much more complicated, but that is the basic premise under which online casinos have managed to thrive legally.
2) No Charges: No person has ever been charged with the crime of playing online in UK. The industry's closest scrape came when the Attorney General deemed servers hosting online casinos and poker rooms from Indian reservations to be illegal, but no charges have followed the proclamation and the servers continue to operate within UK borders.
3) UK vs. U.S. Law: One key difference is the U.S. does not grant states the right to run online gambling sites, but in UK, provinces have the right to allow and license online casinos as they please.
4) Sports Betting: Betting on sporting events online is illegal under U.S. law, but not under UK law, which allows parlay bets of three or more matches only. An effort is being made to remove that restriction from the Criminal Code, permitting wagering on single sporting events. Check out our sports betting page to learn more or try for yourself.
5) Poker: There are a number of online poker sites available within Canada. While none of these sites — other than those housed on Indian reserves — are hosted from within the country, no law has been passed prohibiting Canadians from gambling on such sites. See our poker page if you want to learn more or play.
6) Taxes: Those laws dictate that gambling winnings are generally not taxed unless deemed to be gained through a business-oriented transaction. If you're a professional poker player, taxes may apply, but for gamers playing just for fun, winnings should be tax free.
Regulators and Gaming Authorities in United Kingdom
The purpose of having a regulating body is to ensure the casinos operate in a fair manner. They become the governors of the sites and handle any problems. Should a site break one of the rules set by the regulators, its license can be pulled and it would no longer be able to offer its services.
Who Are the Regulators? – Currently, each province in United Kingdom regulates its own online gambling sites. There is also the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which operates inside United Kingdom, but is technically its own governing body. This company not only runs servers and regulates casino sites in United Kingdom, but is also one of the most-used regulators for sites around the world.
Can I get In Trouble for Playing Online? – The question of what makes a casino legal will remain until clear, concise laws are written and passed. While this may be a while away, people still play at casinos online every day. Not one person has ever been charged with the crime for playing any casino games online. Even if a specific law states a site cannot operate in your area, most of them operate outside of jurisdiction and shutting them out is almost impossible without a structured set of laws.
Bottom Line – To Play Or Not To Play?
If you live in United Kingdom, gambling online is not going to get you in legal trouble. If you are unsure whether you can play at a certain online casino, it is always best to use caution and double check. But, you should never be afraid of getting in legal trouble for playing online. See our top list of casino reviews to get started playing today.
*Disclaimer – This article should not be considered legal advice.