In the United Kingdom, the gambling industry is tightly regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – which means that both land-based and online casinos have to operate fairly, transparently, and responsibly.
Although both land-based are governed by virtually the same principles, there are some regulations and vetting processes that are slightly different… basically due to the nature of their operations.
So, let’s take a look at exactly how they differ – and what they have in common:
Similarities
First, let’s take a look at how it’s similar…
Well, both land-based and online casinos have to comply to the following principles:
- Fairness and Transparency
- They all need to be able to prove that their games are fair and all the outcomes are random.
- They both need to make sure that their terms and conditions are clear and visible to players.
- Protection Against Crime
- They both need to put in place measures to prevent money laundering, fraud, and any other criminal activities.
- Players need to go through Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to verify their identity.
- Responsible Gambling
- All casinos need to promote responsible gambling – and give players access to tools like self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and contact details for support organisations.
- They also have to train staff to be able to recognise signs of problem gambling.
- Licensing Requirements
- Whether land-based or online, they’ll need to have a UKGC licence – which means they have to be thoroughly vetted to make sure they’re suitable, financially stable and they check their business integrity.
Differences
That being said, land-based and online casinos do have some differences – simply because of the way in which they operate.
Land-Based Casinos
- Physical Location Requirements
- They have to meet zoning laws and get local council approval before setting up.
- The premises have to be inspected to check that they meet health and safety standards and are suitable and secure.
- Operational Standards
- Staff have to undergo background checks and training to make sure that they’re fully qualified to manage the games and work with the customers responsibly.
- They’re also required to have strict surveillance systems – like CCTV, to monitor everything that is happening and prove compliance.
- Limited Capacity
- They have to stick to their limits to make sure players are physically safe.
- They also need to strictly enforce age restrictions for anyone entering – and staff have to physically verify ID.
- Gaming Equipment
- They have to get their gaming machines and tables inspected and certified to make sure they meet regulatory standards. This also means regularly maintaining and calibrating their equipment.
Online Casinos
- Highest Technical Standards
- UK casinos that have been verified by the UKGC have to use Random Number Generators for their virtual games and get them tested and verified regularly.
- They also have to prove that they are complying with all technical standards for software security.
- Remote Licensing
- Online operators have to get a remote gambling license, which is designed to assess whether or not they can provide secure and fair online experience. This includes a review of their software providers and checking the integrity of their gaming platforms.
- Advertising and Marketing
- Online casinos are checked when it comes to their advertising… promotions shouldn’t be deemed misleading and shouldn’t target vulnerable players – like underage players. They have to be fully compliant with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
- Payments
- They’re also checked to make sure that they offer secure payment methods and are fully compliant with all anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
- It’ll also be checked that they keep player money separate from operational money to make sure that players’ money is safe.
Conclusion
Ultimately, no matter how an gambling business is run – online or off, there are all sorts of legalities and regulations that they have to comply with. Whilst the basics are the same – they need to make sure that they are looking after their players – physically and financially… and they have to be able to prove that they are operating fairly and transparently.
Whilst there may be checks that differ, simply because of the way in which they operate, the message is the same. Casinos – whether land-based or online – have to put players first.