Compared to many other countries, Wales, and the UK more generally, have been rather lenient with their attitudes towards online gambling. But more recently, there have been renewed calls for an overhaul in the legislation.
Before 2005, there was no official gambling body in the UK. However, the only major change that has taken place since then, has been banning the use of credit cards online.
But online gambling has been growing at an alarming rate in the UK. Figures have shown the sector is now worth a whopping $231 billion. When you factor in that the gambling market is expected to rise to $876bn by 2026, more needs to be done to erase dangerous gambling.
In the past couple of years, countries were ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in Wales for example, people were rather restricted in the kinds of activities they could do, so many resorted to gambling online.
There has also been continued debate about betting within sport. For example, some Premier League teams will carry the names of betting companies on the front of their shirts, and you are likely to see online operators emblazoned on advertising boardings around the stadium.
Arguably, there has been a push to make people more aware of more responsible gambling. This has come in the form of TV adverts, where betting companies remind gamblers to set time limits when playing online or seek help if they are worried about their habits.
While things have been quiet on the legislative front for gambling, earlier this year, a spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hinted that things could change soon.
“We are undertaking the first major review of gambling laws in 15 years to make sure they are fit for the digital age.
“We are determined to protect vulnerable people from exploitation by unfair practises that entrench problem gambling.
“We intend to strike the right balance between giving adults the freedom to choose how they gamble safely, with the right protections for those at risk of harm. This includes looking at affordability checks.”
However, one area that is likely to be pinpointed for change in Wales, is the way online casinos try to entice new players with promotions. Bonuses are widely available at many of the top digital casinos across the UK, and they continue to gain traction. Indeed, no deposit bonuses are the holy grail for gamblers, because players just have to sign up to collect their reward.
Some of the most reputable digital casinos in the industry will be flushed with the best no deposit bonuses, such as 888 Casino where you can get 30 No Deposit free spins on selected slots, and there are over 1,000 titles to choose from. Meanwhile, Betfair offers 50 No Deposit free spins, and players will be given enough time to activate the offer.
While the pace of progress in the online gambling sphere in Wales may not be as quick as many would have hoped, there are signs that new laws could be introduced. However, whether they will have the desired effect remains to be seen.