As part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Gambling Commission is one of the most prestigious regulatory bodies in the world. Among its functions is to certify the operation of various companies that offer gambling and betting services, which leads to recognizing UKGC-licensed casinos as the safest and most reliable, at least in theory. Learn more about the responsibilities, certifications issued, control actions of this institution.
Although bets and games of chance have existed in British territory for a long time, the updating of the legal framework in 2005 has been a fundamental aspect to give order, security and fluidity to the industry. In this sense, the United Kingdom Gaming Commission has gained prominence from its headquarters in the city of Birmingham.
Functions of the UK Gambling Commission
It is important to clarify that UKGC licensed casinos that have online operations are only part of the total responsibilities of this organization. The goal is for gambling and betting activities to be clean and fair for users, and this extends to different modalities that go beyond casino games and bookmakers.
The UK Gambling Commission has requirements that online casinos must meet in order to obtain an official license. The regulatory body also carries out controls on a regular basis and addresses user complaints to clarify situations. Upon detecting irregularities, you must act either through sanctions, closures or license revocations. Some of the functions are as follows:
- Ensuring the operation of random number generators (RNG)
- Compliance with stipulated profit percentages (RTP)
- Oversee the financial management of funds from customer accounts
- Confirm digital security conditions and SSL encryption
- Ratify the Responsible Gaming policies of each operator
- Ensure the verification of user identities by establishments
- Review privacy policies on the use of personal information and financial data
Importance of UKGC Licensed Casinos
The industry of online casinos, land-based casinos and bookmakers in the UK is very large. Without a regulatory entity with active functions, there could be many irregularities, including direct harm to users. Having an organization that controls the activities of gambling companies is a guarantee to reduce problems.
How to identify UKGC licensed casinos
All operators that are certified by the UK Gambling Commission proudly display the seal awarded by the British authorities for the peace of mind of users. A Gambling Commission logo can be found on the relevant site and detailed information about this certificate by UKGC licensed casinos.
Other security certification bodies
The UK Gambling Commission is the highest authority in the region to issue licences, but it is not the only regulator of the industry. There are also independent organizations without legal jurisdiction that have dedicated themselves to issuing security certifications. TST, eCOGRA, and GLI, among others, focus primarily on casino software to ensure they work. Having a seal from these organizations is also synonymous with safety and quality.
