United Kingdom Jurisdiction

Although the United Kingdom has regulated gambling for decades in some sense or another, it hasn’t been until recent years that they have become really serious about the issue. Now the UK is more serious than ever about regulating gaming in the country, and bringing Internet gambling operations back that originally left due to extremely high taxes. They are committed to satisfying customers who gamble at UK-licensed companies.

United Kingdom Overview

While many of the world’s online gambling hubs have had tumultuous pasts laced with political strife, the UK is an extremely solid nation. Britain is one of the world’s leading countries from an economic standpoint, and they are also a major political power as well.

Unfortunately for the UK, their strong economic background isn’t enough to keep gambling companies around when 15% profit taxes are the norm – especially when 1% taxation is calling these companies’ names from offshore locations. Many of the biggest gambling businesses in the UK such as Ladbrokes and, more recently, William Hill have moved their operations to other countries.

United Kingdom Licensing Requirements

In an effort to create a centralized division for gambling, the UK set up the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act of 2005. The UK Gambling Commission is already one of the strongest gaming organisations in the world. The commission is currently fighting to make offshore locations adhere to the same standards and tax laws that the UK features (most notably through white listing, or approving which gaming companies can advertise in the UK).

Regarding licensing, all parties hoping to operate a gambling business in the UK must submit applications to the Gambling Commission. After receiving an application, the commission will review it and decide if the company is fit to operate out of Britain. Of course, companies must also be able to pay the comparatively hefty annual taxes that the UK imposes; as previously mentioned, annual taxes are 15% on profits, and this is a major reason why many companies choose to operate elsewhere.

Complaints and Dispute Resolution

You can be confident when gambling at UK-licensed online casinos since the Gambling Commission takes all complaints very seriously. The UK Gambling Commission's complaints procedure is detailed on the linked page, and their contact details are here.