Everything Regarding British Bookmakers
All English bookmakers work under the license of the Gambling Commission – an agency that oversees the activities of land-based and online bookmakers in the UK.
It is rather difficult to get a license for being a bookmaker. The candidate must endure significant financial fees and meet several conditions. The Gambling Commission works round-the-clock to ensure proper provision of services by betting activities operators and, as necessary, applies sanctions with the right to withdraw the license.
The first sports betting company was founded in the UK and began its operations in the 19th century. Since then, British Isles bookmakers appeared in a line and some of them remain the largest in the world. You can find out more on https://stayatcasinos.com/.
What is the Minimum Age for Gambling?
The age limit for online gambling in the UK is 18. This applies to most forms of online gambling (casino, sports betting, poker, etc.). The national lottery, scratch cards, and football pools are the only exceptions, and they have a minimum age of 16.
Restrictions for Operators
There are also other important limitations, this time for gambling operators. Online operators are limited. This is because gambling authorities in the UK are highly cautious when issuing licenses to operators to conduct business online. As a result, very few operators that possess the highest standards can conduct business in the online betting and gambling industry.
The second reason that the number of operators is not very large is the relatively high taxes. The UK imposes a 15% tax on withdrawals from any casino or online gaming site that operates within its boundaries.
How Can I Be Certain I Am Playing Legally?
In order to know which of the online casinos or other websites are legal in the UK, simply look for the UKGC logo (UK Gambling Commission).
If you see the logo on the page where you are playing with the certification, you can rest assured that the company is in compliance with the law. Additionally, the UKGC license is one of the most trusted that can be had and is a good sign of a very high degree of fairness and security.
According to laws it has made, the Gambling Commission is bound to ensure that:
- It is not an offense to gamble in the UK.
- Gambling is public and fair.
- Children and people most at risk of gambling harm are protected.
Nearly all that you need to gamble online in the UK is to be above the age of 18 and have an active internet connection. Under the Gambling Act, there is very clear writing which lays things out in plain language regarding what is allowed and what is not. So in one way or another, it is easier for clients than for UK online betting organizations.
There are several legal online gambling options in the UK, including sports betting, online casinos, the national lottery, bingo, poker, etc.
What will happen if I get caught breaking the law?
Players do not have to pay tax on their win at internet casinos or betting sites. They also don't need a license. But if you are caught committing the offense, i.e., engaging in illegal gambling, the punishment will be severe. It may include monetary penalty of £1,000 to £5,000 and 1-year imprisonment.
How to Understand British Odds
The most striking feature of British bookmakers is the unique odds format in fractions. As a general rule, you will be able to choose either this one or the decimal format common in the post-Soviet world.
The British format shows the size of net profit per bet. To convert odds of this type to the more familiar decimal format, you merely divide the numerator by the denominator and add one. For example, 4/5 in a British bookmaker is equivalent to 1.90.
Advantages of British Bookmakers
The quantity of branches in the areas of large English bookmakers reaches 40. British bookmakers are classically involved in British sports, namely football, golf, greyhound racing, tennis, horse racing, and cricket.
In addition to a very wide range of events, British bookmakers also possess other conventional features:
- Large withdrawal limits.
- Competitive odds.
- Several facilities to withdraw winnings.
Drawbacks of British Bookmakers
Citizens of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) are also able to recognize conventional pitfalls:
- The perpetual lack of customer support in Russian or a Russian-language version of the official website.
- The bonus program. By default, its good terms are available only to gamblers residing on the British Isles.
On Legalbet, you will find the best British bookmakers with an excellent past and stable reputation, as well as fresh bookmaking businesses you might not know about. The information shown on this website will help you make a more responsible decision on selecting an online bookmaking website.