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In the last few years, the gambling industry has experienced massive growth, mostly due to the fact that mobile gambling is just so convenient.
With just a few taps on their smartphones, players can now place bets or play their favourite games on the go. Mobile casinos have definitely made gambling more accessible and perhaps more dangerous than ever.
As the use of smartphones for gambling activities has raised concerns lately, we decided that it is time to analyse the problem in an article.
Thus, this article aims to give you insights into significant shifts in UK gambling regulations, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable users within the ever-evolving landscape of smartphone technology. So read on and join us!
The Rise of Mobile Gambling
A report from the UK Gambling Commission proves that smartphone gambling has seen a massive increase, making up nearly 50% of all online gambling activities in 2021.
The reason behind this increase is the convenience of gambling apps. As a result, it’s difficult nowadays to tell the difference between people spending time on the apps for fun and the ones that are developing risky behaviour.
The change from traditional venues such as brick-and-mortar casinos or betting shops to phone apps made it more accessible for people to gamble unsupervised for longer times.
The Vulnerable Population
Not only in the UK but all across the globe, there is a large number of people who can play casino games occasionally without any problem, but there is a category of players that can never stop.
Also, some of the most at-risk groups when it comes to gambling include minors who can deceive online casinos.
They can easily lie about their age online, and unfortunately, that is the exact moment they can develop a gambling addiction.
A gambling experience for a minor can be devastating with a deep psychological impact as an individual can go through different emotional states like increased stress, anxiety and even depression. Not to mention the financial repercussions that can also occur.
The truth is that previous regulations were mainly targeting traditional gambling establishments, and they didn’t manage to address the challenges of online gambling, especially mobile betting.
The New Legislation
Only recently, the UK Government has made massive changes to gambling laws, mostly aiming at the challenges regarding mobile gambling.
These new additions to the law have the purpose of protecting vulnerable players and promoting responsible gambling practices. Here’s an overview of the new law additions:
Better Verification Checks
In the past, it was easier for minors to cheat age verification tests as you only had to tick a box that says you’re over the legal age. With the new law, gambling companies have to create and implement multi-step age verification procedures.
These procedures must include photo ID checks and even third-party verification services to guarantee the users are of legal age. This tells us that there are no more loopholes for users under 18 years old.
Setting up Daily Spending Limits
Not long ago, casino users could gamble without setting any spending caps, the possibility that could lead to potential financial ruin if vulnerable players were involved.
According to the new law, there are now daily spending limits imposed on a player’s self-declared financial capacity.
This doesn’t mean that the player can’t adjust them. They have this possibility, yet it takes at least 48 hours to increase the sum, thus discouraging impulsive spending.
Besides the daily limits, there are also stake limits for online slot games that will range from £2 to £15 per spin. This way, the new law will protect individuals aged 18 to 24, who, according to the evidence, are more susceptible to potential harm.
Compulsory “Cooling-off” Breaks
If, until recently, players could gamble continuously, developing addictive behaviours and financial loss, the new law changes things a little bit.
Right now, if a player reaches his daily limit, he must take a mandatory “cooling-off” period. During this time, he will not have access to any kind of bets.
The “cooling-off” period can vary in matters of time, as it can take only a few hours to an entire day. It all depends on the operator and the betting platform.
Enhances Self-Exclusion Options
The self-exclusion option was always a complicated process; that’s maybe why some casino platforms didn’t even have it. Along with the new law, the leaderboard created a centralised self-exclusion register.
All users can add themself to the register voluntarily, meaning that they will not access any UK-licensed betting site for a specific time. This time varies from 5 days to 5 months or 5 years; it all depends on the user’s choice.
More Transparency and User Education
Most casino operators had their educational content or information about gambling risks hidden in tedious terms and conditions. Most times, these kinds of details were not provided at all.
However, as the new legislation implies, gambling companies must highlight and display information about the risks that come with betting. They also must provide valid links to support services that help players in need to heal and control their addiction.
Moreover, the new rule aims to ensure that gambling operators chip in to support treatment services and research, including the NHS. Currently, there’s no fixed amount they must pay, and some betting companies are only contributing as little as £1 or nothing at all.
Harsh Advertising Guidelines
It’s no secret that gambling advertising was pretty aggressive, and it was mostly targeting vulnerable populations.
We refer here even to ads that appeared during children’s programming, internet research, huge billboards and so on. Not to mention flashy ads regarding bonus offers that make player invest their money sometimes in dishonest requirements.
According to the new law, there are new advertising guidelines that won’t allow operators to use ads that target user behaviours and demographics.
Moreover, the government bans advertising during specific hours and certain events to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups.
Also, there are regulations aimed at preventing bonus offers from causing harm to vulnerable individuals, such as examining the design and targeting of free bets or spins to mitigate potential harm.
Increased Oversight and Regulation
Oversight in the UK’s gambling industry was notably limited, and penalties for violations were often viewed as a mere expense that companies were willing to bear as a cost of doing business.
However, with the implementation of the new law, significant changes have been introduced. The UK Gambling Commission has enhanced its oversight by conducting more frequent and rigorous audits within the industry.
Moreover, the penalties for non-compliance have been substantially escalated, with the introduction of hefty fines and the heightened possibility of license revocation.
These measures aim to strengthen regulatory control and encourage greater adherence to gambling regulations in the UK.
Extra Powers for the Gambling Commission
Under the umbrella of the new law, the Gambling Commission is set to gain a fresh set of tools in its arsenal.
Their authority now extends to addressing the presence of black market operators within the gambling industry.
This expansion of power allows them to issue court orders and establish partnerships with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to target and eliminate illegal gambling websites effectively.
A recent case serves as a prime example of this enhanced jurisdiction in action, as the Gambling Commission collaborated with ISPs to successfully block access to an offshore gambling site that was operating illicitly within the UK.
This proactive approach empowers the commission to crack down on unauthorised operators and safeguard the integrity of the country’s gambling landscape.
New Industry Ombudsman
With the introduction of the new law, a fresh avenue for resolving disputes within the industry is emerging: the establishment of an industry ombudsman.
This ombudsman’s primary role will be to address grievances and make judgments on compensatory measures when a customer experiences losses stemming from an operator’s failure to uphold their player protection responsibilities.
To illustrate the impact of this significant change, consider a recent case in which numerous complaints had arisen regarding a particular gambling app’s failure to honour its self-exclusion features.
In response, the new ombudsman intervened, ensuring that affected users received refunds.
This landmark decision serves as a precedent for handling similar disputes in the future, promising a fair and efficient mechanism for resolving such issues within the industry.
As you can see, the new legislation is all about making gambling safer and more responsible by revamping these important aspects. It marks a major change from the old rules, which were widely criticised for not keeping up with the digital era and lacking in effectiveness.
Pros and Cons of the New Legislation
For a clearer understanding of the new legislation, we’ve put together a pros and cons table to help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
Also, we’ve included key points and potential implications, making it easier for you to make an informed assessment of the changes this legislation brings.
Whether you’re in favour of it or have concerns, this table will provide valuable insights to help guide your perspective.
| PROS | CONS |
| 🟢 The new regulations aim to safeguard vulnerable populations from being exploited. | ❌ Some think that the new rules are too strict and take away personal freedoms. |
| 🟢 Non-compliant companies may be subject to substantial fines and could risk losing their licenses. | ❌ Casino owners worry that these rules might force some companies to close down. |
| 🟢 Frequent audits help ensure that companies are following the regulations. | ❌ Sceptics raise doubts about the efficacy of such laws, pointing out potential loopholes. |
Although all these solutions safeguard players in the UK, we believe that the harsh restrictions will make many players reconsider registering at different crypto casinos or even unlicensed gambling sites from no strict markets.
Conclusion
The extensive reform of gambling regulations in the UK represents a crucial achievement in the ongoing mission to safeguard vulnerable users during the smartphone era.
Although these fresh regulations have faced criticism, they signify a dedicated endeavour to confront the distinctive challenges presented by the digital age.
As technology continues to advance, our legal and regulatory framework must evolve in tandem.