Betting, Gambling and Gaming

The Gambling Commission regulates arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, lottery operators, external lottery managers and remote gambling (online and by phone) that use British-based equipment.

All commercial gambling businesses which hold a licence under the Gambling Act must comply with that legislation and the Gambling Commission’s Licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP).

Guidance published by the Gambling Commission states that:
“Problem Gambling means gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits. (…) Problem gamblers are defined as ‘gamblers who gamble with negative consequences and a possible loss of control”.

Self-exclusion is a method by which individuals who have self-identified that they have a gambling problem can register with one, or more, betting operators, in order to exclude themselves from gambling . Individuals can self-exclude indefinitely or for varying periods, commonly five years, during which they will be prohibited from betting or gaming with the operators with which the exclusion applies. Various organisations exist to provide a single point of call for exclusions which cover multiple betting operators and which can apply to traditional betting shops as well as online gambling.