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Is the UKGC the Best Governing Body for Gambling? |
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| Valletta, Malta, home to the Malta Gaming Authority |
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| Image by
Waldo Miguez from
Pixabay |
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is one of the most respected and well-known governing bodies of gambling
activities worldwide. Known for its tough stance on operators, the body is responsible for overseeing all gambling activities in the United Kingdom and
protecting players trying their luck.
While the UKGC is the only body that can license operators wishing to offer services within the UK, numerous
other governing bodies from other regions operate under different legal frameworks and have slightly different ways of doing things.
To see if the UKGC
is the best among these governing bodies, we’ve compiled a comparison of the most popular regulatory bodies used by thousands of online casinos found
online. Come along with us as we delve into a brief history of each and their strengths and weaknesses before seeing if any is as good as the UKGC at
monitoring online gambling and player protection.
UK Gambling Commission
Before
looking at other bodies, it is important to understand how far the UKGC’s reach extends and what the regulatory body is responsible for. Established in
2005, the UKGC is responsible for all gambling activities within the UK, both online and in brick-and-mortar establishments.
Aside from assisting with
the formation of new regulations, the UKGC is also responsible for verifying and licensing any iGaming operator that provides services to UK residents. After
providing licensing, the body then works to ensure compliance is adhered to through regular inspections and audits..
Known for its tough stance on rule
breakers, the body has previously issued enormous fines to operators failing to protect players or report operations correctly. Because of this, any online
casino licensed by the UKGC is commonly seen as trustworthy and safe for any player
to use.
Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Formed under the Gibraltar Regulatory
Authority Act 2000, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) oversees various industries in the region, including gambling. As a British Overseas Territory,
the GRA works closely with the UKGC but operates independently.
Popular among operators due to Gibraltar’s attractive tax legislation, the GRA
licenses many international online casinos incorporated in the region. Since Brexit, however, the GRA’s reach has been limited as fewer European countries
are willing to accept its licensing.
Despite a slightly restricted reach, the GRA is known for its focus on operator adherence to strict anti-money
laundering (AML) policies and for having robust licensing procedures that ensure operators are properly vetted before being licensed.
Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has existed since 2001 and regulates online
and physical gambling in the region. Offering a comprehensive framework of gambling regulations, the authority is popular among European operators and provides
licensing for numerous operators in the region.
One of the MGA’s largest focus areas is player protection, which is clearly seen in certain
regulations enforced on operators. Among these are the advertising
of responsible gambling and strict self-exclusion policies that work to protect against gambling addiction.
While the body is also well known for its
progressive view towards emerging technologies like crypto gambling, it is also held back by the number of licenses it has issued. Managing all these licenses
and auditing so many operators has given the MGA a reputation for being slow to issue enforcement notices against companies not meeting all regulatory
requirements.
Curaçao Gaming Authority
Based in the tax haven
Curaçao, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), also known as the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB), has existed since 1999. The body is
responsible for a vast number of online casino licenses due to its cost-effective licensing structure and easy licensing process.
While sites operating
under the CGA’s license are still trusted, the regulator is known for having much fewer regulatory requirements than other governing bodies. Because of
this, it is the preferred licensing body of smaller operators, leading to its reputation as an easy body to acquire a license from.
In addition to
having more lax requirements, the body is also known for lacking oversight and not enforcing regulations in some instances. It also focuses less on consumer
protection methods to protect against issues like fake or misleading promotions.
Alcohol and Gaming
Commission of Ontario
Founded in 1998, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) officially entered the iGaming scene in 2022
when it launched a fully regulated online gambling market. This, done in tandem with the establishment of iGaming Ontario, began the start of a legal online
gambling market in Ontario, Canada.
Responsible for issuing licenses to operators, the AGCO also regulates and has developed an extensive
framework under which companies operate. Focusing on player protection and responsible gambling, the body is known for having a fresh outlook on gambling
regulations.
The biggest drawback to AGCO licenses is that they are issued on a provincial rather than national level. This means that operators can
only offer services within the province of Ontario, which greatly limits earning potential but has still encouraged many operators to enter the Canadian
market.
Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau
Macau, the special
administrative region of China, has become one of the world’s largest gambling hubs in recent years. The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau
(DICJ) oversees all gambling activity in this region, both online and in physical casinos.
With vast experience drafting regulations to control
high-volume gambling operators, the DICJ focuses
particularly on enforcing anti-money laundering practices through quick law changes and the implementation of new legislation.
While this allows the
body to adjust framework strategies to best protect players, it is held back by the heavy influence of the Chinese government on policies. Another drawback for
online casinos licensed by the DICJ is that it specialises more in physical casino regulation than online.
Is UKGC the Best?
All of the governing bodies above have unique strengths, weaknesses, and reach that have enabled safer
gambling among players and the expansion of the iGaming industry in many regions. However, on a case-by-case basis, when comparing the UKGC to the above
alternative bodies, there is clear evidence that it reigns supreme.
The UKGC has an extensive framework that far exceeds that held by any alternative
governing body. With a reach that goes far beyond the borders of the UK and a reputation for being hard on rule-breakers, online casinos licensed by the body
are trusted internationally and attract millions of players seeking quality platforms to play on and
promotions that do not require you to make a deposit.
While the body could improve by
being more proactive, simplifying the complexity of regulations, and increasing the effectiveness of enforcement, it does a good job overall at boosting the
industry and protecting players. This should continue into the future as it places more focus on player protection and safe gambling awareness. |
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