The online gaming market in the UK continues to grow steadily. It is considered one of the best regulated gaming markets in the world. The main reason for this is the successful licensing model applied in the UK. Under the control and guidance of the UK Gambling Commission, the British regulatory authority for gambling, the island offers the best conditions for a safe, serious and transparent gaming environment. Both state and players benefit from UK Gambling Commission licences.
In contrast to Great Britain, the online market in Germany is less well regulated. In Germany, there has been uncertainty for years about the legal situation for online gambling. Politicians, countries and courts have not yet found a satisfactory solution in line with European law that offers providers an honest chance, protects players, provides the state with tax revenues and at the same time pushes back the illegal black market.
In Great Britain, the market for online gaming has been on the rise for years. In the period from April 2016 to March 2017, the so-called remote sector for online games achieved a turnover of 4.7 billion pounds. This corresponds to an increase of 10.1% over the previous year. Online slot machines and virtual card games are particularly in demand. But bingo, lotteries and sports betting are also popular leisure activities for many Britons. The controversial FOBTs (fixed-odds betting terminals), on the other hand, account for a large proportion of the sector’s revenue in the land-based market.
Thanks to the regulatory charity levies, the major lotteries alone paid £255.6 million to British charities between April 2016 and March 2017. This is an impressive increase of 20.5% over the previous assessment period. The National Lottery is by far the largest charity contributor with 1.5 billion, although numbers are declining.
Regulatory authority ensures rules are followed
One reason for the success of the UK gambling industry is the strict rules of the UK Gambling Commission. Since 2007, the UK Gambling Commission has ensured that principles such as responsible gaming, reliable payment methods, data protection and clear business and bonus conditions as well as good customer service are adhered to. Compare the Best Casino Sites now at allvideoslots.com in the event of infringements, the Commission intervenes, reprimands providers, makes recommendations and also distributes heavy fines, as was the case recently with 888 Holdings and William Hill. The two companies had violated gambler protection and anti-money laundering rules and were fined millions.
The call for such a nationwide supervisory authority is also becoming louder and louder in Germany. Recently, the participants of the 15th Gaming Symposium at the University of Hohenheim called for regulation of the German online market.
In order to combat problematic gambling behaviour and addiction and to protect players effectively, there is the possibility of a so-called player ban. This can be imposed by the provider or set up by the player himself. The establishment of a self-lock is now also possible via apps for mobile devices and laptops. Such mechanisms should help to curb the huge addictive potential of constantly available online gambling and provide players with an instrument with which they can set limits. However, a recent BBC experiment has revealed flagrant shortcomings in the functioning of these barriers.
Apps such as Gamban, which players can install on their computers and mobile phones, are now being used to solve the problem. Gamban is not limited to one provider, but blocks access to over 40,000 gambling websites. Even at eSports the software intervenes and blocks the so-called skin-betting in the games. This spring, Gamstop is also expected to launch its own blocking system for British gambling providers, which will block players from all websites licensed under the UK Gambling Commission. Gamban and Gamstop can thus make an important contribution to player protection.