In this day and age when everyone uses the internet on a daily basis, it’s not at all surprising that online casino sites have gained such an immense popularity. People from all over the globe visit such online casino websites to experience the rush of adrenaline and get an opportunity to win some money.
What could be more convenient and easy than opening a browser and placing your bet without having to go to more traditional gambling establishments? At the same time a lot of people wonder about the legal aspect of such online casino and it’s quite understandable because laws and regulations regarding online gambling can be extremely confusing and contradictory.Luckily when it comes to the UK system it is quite transparent and straightforward, which means that players and providers of casino services are able to figure everything out without any problems.
How is online gambling regulated in the UK?
You may already know that online gambling regulations are not uniform and they differ from one country to another. The most important thing to know about the system in the United Kingdom is that the online casinos are completely legal and their work is regulated by the Gambling Commission which came into force upon creation of the Gambling Act 2005. According to the aforementioned act, all forms of gambling conducted in the territories of the United Kingdom, including those that take place online, are subject to a number of regulations to ensure a safe environment for both potential gamblers and operators. The main reason for the existence of the Gambling Commission is to ensure that gambling cannot be associated with criminal activity and can be offered in a way that is completely fair and doesn’t exploit anyone.
As opposed to some countries that prohibit gambling altogether, the UK has managed to take online casino industry out of the shade and make sure that you are not in a vulnerable position when playing on websites that are approved by the organization. Such an approach makes complete sense as there are numerous sensible adults who wish to experience gambling and thanks to the laws adopted in the country they have the opportunity to do so whenever they want and without any worries over their security.
Any UK operators who wish to become a part of the legal gambling industry are required to obtain a license issued by the Gambling Commission. Licenses are provided to operators once the representatives of the Commission evaluate their credibility according to several criteria. It’s essential that operators who are looking to provide online casino services are completely financially stable and able to guarantee payouts to their players.
They also need to have all the technological means and resources to offer completely fair conditions for players who choose to use their websites. Another thing which is great is that the Gambling Commission continues to monitor the online casino organizations that were granted licenses to ensure that they continue to work in a legal and fairway.
What you should remember about online gambling
Online gambling sites are created in such a way that they are quite easy to figure out even for those who have never previously gambled online. At the same time there are some basic things that apply to all online casinos and you should familiarize yourself with them before you start on your gambling journey. Here are some of the rules which apply to UK online casino:
- There are no taxes. An amazing thing about tax applied to gambling winnings in the UK is that it is non-existent. It means that it doesn’t matter how much money you win while placing bets online or playing any games, you will be able to receive all the money for yourself. Legal companies that own online casino gambling sites and operators are the only ones who are required to pay a tax to continue providing their services.
- The legal gambling age in the UK is 18. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to gamble either online or offline, including playing poker, placing bets, and any other activities. Those who ignore the rules and decide to sign up to a casino online and provide a different age won’t be able to receive their payouts in case of winnings and their accounts will be closed. Age verification systems available on websites are quite strict so it’s definitely not a good idea to lie about your age.
- You can play for free. One of the amazing things offered by online casinos is a no deposit bonus. If you’re not familiar with this term, this is money you get for free to test out a casino before you decide to commit to one or several sites and use your own cash. In this way you are able to form your opinion regarding a certain casino. UK gambling sites provide you with this opportunity and it’s definitely a great way to start.
As you can see, the online gambling environment is quite safe, favorable and accessible thanks to the regulations set out by the Gambling Commission. The fact that you don’t need to pay any tax allows you to receive the money in full, which is definitely the best casino bonus.
What are the most widely used online casinos in the UK?
With the increase in popularity of online gambling, the number of online casinos continues to grow and this means that you have a wide selection of options to choose from when you want to get involved. Finding the best casino for you may seem overwhelming at first as there are numerous options and they all look quite similar, especially for a beginner. While the Gambling Commission actively works on eliminating all fraudulent online casinos, it’s still a great idea to always choose reliable sites with many positive user reviews.
Great online casino offers extremely attractive conditions and increased chances of winning. Here are the sites that often enter the lists of the top ten online casinos:
- Super Lenny
- Casumo Casino
- CasinoLand
- Thrills Casino
- BetVictor Casino
- BetSafe Casino
- EnergyCasino
- Spinit Casino
- BGO Casino
- Rizk Casino
Whether you search for casino London or casino UK, you will be introduced to a wide range of gambling possibilities that you can choose from and enjoy. What makes it even easier to get involved in online gambling is that the majority of large gaming sites also offer their services in the form of apps. There are numerous casino online mobile apps available nowadays and if you want to remain safe while playing you should make sure that the applications are provided by official sites approved by the Gambling Commission.
The UK gambling system is among the most reliable and well-managed in the world thanks to its effective laws that are improved on a regular basis to protect players and offer the most pleasant experience.
Which celebrities are known to enjoy gambling?
A lot of celebrities are no different from regular people in that they consider gambling quite an exciting activity. You may not know this, but there are numerous celebrities who love to spend their time playing poker or other best casino games both online and offline. Some of them dedicate so much of their time to the favorite gambling activities that they may as well be considered professionals. The list of celebrities that enjoy gambling includes:
- Michael Greco. The British actor is most famous for his role in EastEnders, but he is not new to the game of poker. Michael Greco was monitored by a professional poker player, “Mad Marty” Wilson, and he has won quite large sums of money playing in tournaments and online casinos.
- Robbie Williams. The legendary British singer and songwriter enjoys a good game of ninety ball bingo and is known to play it with his friend and fellow singer Gary Barlow. What is also great is that Robbie played his favorite game to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Research, to whom he also donated a large sum of money..
- Tobey Maguire. The Hollywood actor best known for his role in Spider-Man is also someone who enjoys playing online casino game as well as poker. He is actually quite a regular winner. In previous years the actor has participated in tournaments at the World Series of Poker which means that he takes his interest quite seriously.
- Ben Affleck. Another celebrity who can’t resist best online casino games, especially blackjack and poker, is Ben Affleck. In 2004, the actor won the California State Poker Championship and can be quite often seen playing at the World Series of Poker.
- Tiger Woods. World renowned golfer, Tiger Woods, is also known as an avid player of blackjack. The golfer has been seen gambling with his friends, sportsmen Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, and it’s safe to say that he enjoys this activity.
- Michael Phelps. The famous American Olympic swimmer likes to spend some time in between his training sessions playing poker. Apparently, the swimmer initially got into the game by discovering it online and he has played numerous games since then and participated in poker tournaments.
- Jennifer Tilly. As opposed to some celebrities who like to gamble occasionally to relax and have fun, Jennifer Tilly, an Academy Award nominee, can be rightly referred to as both an actress and professional poker player. In 2005, Tilly won the World Series of Poker bracelet during the Ladies’ Event and she continues to take part in poker tournaments.
- Floyd Mayweather. An undefeated professional boxer, Floyd Mayweather is a fan of sports betting. The boxer is known for making huge bets of up to $400,000 per event which shows he is definitely quite confident in his ability to predict the outcome.
It’s only a short list of celebrities that like gambling, but these are some who certainly have a sustained interest in certain gambling activities, whether it’s bingo or poker. With the availability of online casinos, it can be quite difficult to tell which celebrities like to gamble unless they decide to share this information themselves.
Numerous online gambling options for anyone
Thanks to the existence of online casinos, it has become possible to realize the most interesting gambling ideas in the virtual form. You no longer have to drive to a casino as all the gambling options are readily available to you online 24/7 whenever you are in the mood to play in best casino. Surveys concerning gambling in the United Kingdom prove that all the classics such as bingo, poker, sports betting, lotteries, slot machines and other online casino games continue to be the top most-played.
It’s not surprising as these games have been around for a while and are definitely interesting to play.
Furthermore there is an obvious tendency marked by the Gambling Commission which is the reduction in the number of arcades, bingo halls, and betting shops across the country in the last three years. The reason for this is because people realize that playing online is significantly more comfortable and gives them more options, especially for those who live far away from the nearest offline casinos, which is a great number of people.
Popular online gambling in the UK: sports betting
As well as online casino games, sports betting in the territories of the United Kingdom has been popular for a while and was so long before the appearance of the Internet. It is definitely a part of the British culture that engages a large percentage of the population as it is an extremely entertaining activity that also gives you an opportunity to win money. According to statistics about six out of ten British citizens make bets at least once a year which is definitely a large number, especially compared to other countries. With the appearance of online betting sites the process has become significantly easier which has led to an even greater increase in the number of players. The sports that are the most popular among players who like to wager include:
- Football. Referred to as football in the UK and soccer in the United States, this sport is undoubtedly a number one activity among sports betting enthusiasts. A great number of matches and championships held throughout the year give players a lot of options to choose from and more chances to win.
- Cricket. Being the national sport, even though significantly less popular around the world, cricket is also often chosen by people who enjoy wagering.
- Rugby. Rugby should definitely be mentioned as one of the sports in the UK that attracts a large number of spectators, especially for the largest and most important events such as Rugby World Cup.
- Ice Hockey. When it comes to indoor sports, ice hockey is definitely the sport that is quite admired in the country. Depending on their preferences, players can choose to either place their bets on NHL matches, local contests or both.
- Tennis. Tennis is one of those sports that attracts a great number of players mostly to the largest events, such as the Davis Cup and Wimbledon Championship.
- Golf. While true golf fans are interested in the events of the Professional Golf Association all year round, the majority of people get involved in golf betting around the time of the biggest events such as the Ryder Cup.
Sports betting is undeniably a huge part of the entire UK gambling industry, especially nowadays when placing bets is so incredibly easy. There are numerous reliable websites out there that allow you to wager whenever you want in the comfort of your own home. To make sure that you always remain safe, you should choose online casinos that are well-known for their regular payouts, have positive reviews from other players and of course are approved by the Gambling Commission of the UK.
