When it comes to gambling online, players want a safe and hassle-free experience. A good range of games, fast-loading sites, quick payouts and big jackpots are of course some of the things we out look for when choosing an online casino, but players tend to stick with the ones they have no trouble with.
The reality is that there is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes with setting out and adhering to regulations that ensure that players can play hassle-free by implementing player protection and fair play measures.
It is certain regulatory bodies that put these measures in place and online casinos have to adhere to the rules of whichever bodies they are licenced by.
Countries and regions around the world have different approaches when it comes to regulating online gambling and as such, there are several different regulatory bodies.
Possibly the most strict of all is the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) which ensures that online casinos operating within the United Kingdom adhere to strict guidelines. Some measures that the UKGC have implemented include requirements for player verification, responsible gambling measures, the removal of slot bonus buys and quick spins, and much more. Online casinos must meet these requirements and stick to them to acquire and maintain a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
Another popular regulatory body which awards licences to online casinos is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Malta’s favourable tax policies have made it an attractive location for online casino operators but they still have to adhere to strict rules on player protection, anti-money laundering, fraud prevention and more.
For online casinos looking for a more lenient regulatory body, Curacao eGaming is a popular choice. While the process for gaining a Curacao license is somewhat easier compared to qualifying for a licence from the UKGC or MGA, online casinos licensed by Curacao are still required to meet certain standards. However, players should be aware that playing at online casinos licenced by Curacao does carry a greater level or risk in terms of player & fund protection and fair play.
Along with the major licencing bodies, many countries have implemented their own regulatory frameworks also.
For example, the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) oversees online gambling in the Netherlands and online casinos, such as the ones found on onlinecasino.amsterdam, must meet Dutch regulations to operate legally in the country. By offering local licences, the country can hope to ensure the safety of their players by encouraging them to play at regulated online casinos where they can implement responsible gambling practices and fair player measures.
Another example is the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) which is responsible for online gambling practices in Sweden. They enforce strict advertising guidelines and make sure that online casinos they offer licences to provide players with self-exclusion options. The Danish Gambling Authority plays a similar role to the Danish market.
In the United States, things get a little more complicated. The regulatory rules vary between states which can be confusing to players who are not familiar with the laws.
Two examples of state-level regulators are the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. These regulators have their own set of rules which online casinos must abide by if they wish to obtain and keep their licence,
The online casino industry doesn’t have a flawless reputation but it’s certainly becoming stronger as regulators become more stringent to ensure the safety of players and fair play across the board.
Regulatory bodies play an important role in maintaining the integrity of online casinos but they are faced with new challenges on a regular basis. The rise of unregulated crypto casinos and decentralised gambling platforms is one example of the ongoing challenges that this industry provides.
With the UK Gambling Commission being one of the strictest licencing bodies, we always recommend only playing at online casinos with a UKGC licence. All of the casinos listed here on WhichBookie hold a UK licence and are independently reviewed by our experienced team.
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