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When betting online in the licensed gambling establishments, there are no legal problems as gambling online was made official in UK since 2005, when Gambling Act was passed.
By law, UK residents have a right to make bets of any size in any gambling establishments, whether online or offline, and the responsibility for the behaviour of the players lies solely with casinos. The only condition is that the gamblers are above 18 as otherwise the player will not be able to make bets or withdraw his winnings. Gambling Acts has specific parts aimed at protection of children and adolescent, as such, casinos cannot advertise within this age group as well as being requested by law not to pay out any prizes won. Thus, to cash in the virtual winnings, the player would need to send in his ID, especially if he’s paid out for the first time. In addition to this, the casino would have to return any bets made by under-age players, of course, only when it was proved that the bets were made by actual teenagers.
Licensing
The main part of the Gambling Act specifies licensing and everything around it. A valid license is the main requirement for the activity of any online or traditional casino in the United Kingdom, and in the case of its absence, the founders would be subject to a six month prison term or a large fine. The Gambling Commission is the main legal body that is involved in formalising the process for both traditional and online firms. Non-UK residents that are betting in UK firms with no licensing are fine, but do not have an option to ask British government for any help in case problems occur.
Addiction and laws
Current laws are aimed at protecting the ’widows and orphans,’ or, in this case, teenagers and those with gambling addictions. Based on official data of Responsible Gambling Trust, 0.9% of the total population of the UK have a gambling addiction.
UK-registered casinos are under constant pressure – both legal and societal – to protect the vulnerable from gambling. For example, those with addictions can ask to be denied access to online gambling establishments for six months to five years if they ask the administration themselves. In this case, the casino should refuse entry of such clients.
