UK Gambling Commission Offers Player Guidelines - 12-01-08

December 1 - The continuous attempts in the United States to outlaws online gambling and confuse banks is in stark contrast to the online gambling environment in the United Kingdom where online casinos are regulated, as is  their advertising. The UK Gambling Commission has now gone one step further in issuing guidelines designed to help consumers make informed choices when it comes to gambling online.

In the meantime, the US is doing preciously little to protect its citizens and some would argue that the recent withdrawal of some high profile operators is opening the door for rogue operators to trap unsuspecting online casino enthusiasts.

The UK aims to protect its consumers, and the United Kingdom Gambling Commission has published a document designed to advise visitors of online casinos what to they should be careful of, and what they should look for before joining up with an online casino. There are over 2000 online gambling sites targeting the UK market, and the document is aimed at helping the consumers distinguish the good ones from the bad ones.

The guidelines suggest a number of checks, such as the casino's licensing and regulator authority. As the Gambling Commission itself regulates online casinos, it discourages play at unregulated ones. If a casino claims to be UK regulated, it can be confirmed at the Commission's website.

The licensing country is important.  Different countries employee varying standards and it is important to clearly understand what country's laws apply.

The paper also urges to check the software used, and whether there is clear proof that game fairness is audited by a third party. Players should also understand whether the casino has a clear and transparent complaints process.

The Commission is doing nothing different to numerous independent online watchdogs and self-regulatory industry bodies, but most observers will agree that this is very positive coming from the regulators themselves.

The U.K. Gambling Commission is working to protect it's citizens in a positive and cooperative fashion. It is treating people like adults, able to make their own decision, by arming them with the information they need. Too bad so many other countries are incapable of following their example.

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