The UK online casino regulation is continually changing to ensure player safety, fairness and responsible gambling. In recent years we have seen the introduction of; affordability checks, betting limits, advertising restrictions and bans on credit card deposits as well as the hugely popular buy the bonus slot feature. As we look ahead into the second half of 2024 and next year, further rules and regulatory changes are expected to change the industry. Here are some areas we expect to see changes in:
- Stricter Player Protection Measures
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is likely to introduce more strict measures to protect players from gambling related debt and potential harm. This could include:
- Enhanced Affordability Checks: More strict checks to ensure that players are gambling within their means. This could mean further proof of earnings, savings and monthly expenditure.
- Mandatory Limits: Introduction of mandatory deposit and loss limits to help players manage their gambling activities more responsibly, although this idea has been scrutinised.
- Improved Self Exclusion Tools: Strengthening self-exclusion and time out options, ensuring they are offered regularly and easy to access.
- Increased Transparency and Fairness
Transparency and fairness at online casino sites will remain a priority. Players can expect:
- Clearer Terms and Conditions: Casinos will be required to provide more transparent terms and conditions, particularly concerning bonuses and promotions as wagering requirements are often misleading.
- Random Number Generator RNG Audits: Regular audits of RNGs to ensure fair play and transparency in game outcomes.
- RTP Percentage Audits: We expect to see more checking on advertised RTP (Return To Player) percentages to ensure they are working to the rate which is advertised.
- Advertising and Marketing Regulations
Advertising and marketing will be under closer scrutiny to prevent targeting younger audiences and problem gamblers. Changes we could see include:
- Tighter Ad Restrictions: Stricter controls on gambling advertisements, particularly those targeting young or vulnerable individuals. Its suggested that gambling adverts will only be able to appear later in the evening when a younger audience is less likely to be bombarded.
- Responsible Marketing: Requirements for more responsible marketing, including clear messaging about the risks of gambling and losing money.
- Further Responsible Gambling Focus
Promoting responsible gambling will continue to be the biggest focus with potential initiatives such as:
- Mandatory Education Programs: Casinos might be required to offer educational resources about responsible gambling and the risks associated with it.
- In Game Notifications: Implementation of in game notifications to remind players of the time spent gambling and their wins/losses or even a mandatory P/L while gambling.
- Technological Advancements
With technology playing an ever increasing role in online casinos the UKGC looks for ways it could help it govern but is also very wary to some innovations:
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: The gambling commission is strongly against the use of blockchain and crypto due to it allowing a huge loophole in affordability checks due to the huge amount of privacy associated with it.
- AI and Machine Learning: Use of AI to monitor player behaviour and detect problematic gambling patterns in real time, which could then force players to have time outs.
- Data Protection and Privacy
With growing concerns around data privacy, regulations will likely strengthen:
- GDPR Compliance: Continued emphasis on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance to ensure player data is handled securely and transparently.
- Data Breach Protocols: Stricter protocols for reporting and managing data breaches.
- Bonuses and Promotions
Regulations around bonuses and enticing promotions are expected to become more strict:
- Wagering Requirements: Potential limits on wagering requirements for bonuses to make them more fair and transparent so players are not tricked or misled.
- Bonus Caps: Caps on the maximum bonus amounts that can be offered to prevent excessive gambling incentives or constant enticement.
Are There Alternative Licensed Casinos Available for UK Players?
Yes, UK players are able to access alternative licensed casinos that operate under licensing bodies outside the United Kingdom. These casinos listed by the Daily Star news are licensed by reputable international bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the Curacao Gaming Control Board and the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. These alternative licences ensure that the casinos must meet high industry standards of fairness, security (data and financial) and responsible gambling. While these international casinos provide a utopia of gambling options and often feature huge bonuses and enticing promotions, players should always verify the legitimacy of the casinos licence and remember to read player feedback as well as expert reviews. These alternative licensed casinos offer UK players the opportunity to explore different gaming experiences while maintaining a high level of trust and reliability.
Conclusion
The online casino industry in the UK is set for further significant regulation throughout the end of 2024 and into next year. The UK gambling commission is intent on player safety and reducing the potential harm which comes with over spending and gambling problems. However these strict regulations have been highly criticised due to the fact people without gambling problems who can afford to gamble are being affected along with people who gamble professionally for a living. Further effects have been a huge reduction in sports sponsorship from gambling companies and casinos, this has had a huge knock on effect to many people’s livelihoods with numerous job losses in various sectors. The UKGC has to find a medium in which they can support and promote safer gambling but still allow adults to make there own decision on what they can afford to gamble.