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There has been much talk of betting reform and improving systems to better protect vulnerable people potentially at risk from gambling harms in recent years. In fact, after a long and frequently delayed consultation process between industry and government, a white paper was published earlier in 2024. However, that was by the previous administration that had been in power in various guises for fourteen years. While Parliamentary procedure maintains that one administration cannot be bound by the decisions of the previous one, there does not seem to be much appetite to radically alter the ideas laid out so far.
The Gambling Act 2005 was, after all, brought in by a previous Labour government, and the party has strong ties to the industry. It should be a reasonably safe bet to suggest that the new Minister responsible for the sector will not be killing this golden goose. While the party were elected on a ticket for change, the Labour Party manifesto did not go into detail about making significant changes to the gambling industry. In addition, at a time when the Prime Minister claims that finances are even worse than had been expected, an industry that is as successful as the UK gambling market will need to carry on contributing to the exchequer.
As we heard from Adam Volz from Casino.org
“Labour’s manifesto said it was committed to reducing gambling-related harm. It went on to add that it recognised the evolution of the gambling landscape since 2005 and would reform gambling regulation and strengthen protections. They promised to continue working with the industry on how to ensure gambling is carried out responsibly. As everyone who works within the gambling industry recognises that the market needs to be sustainable, we at Casino.org are confident that any changes will only be for the better.”
“The manifesto did not contain any specific plans as to how it would reform the industry. Any changes will likely be a relatively low priority, meaning that the existing White Paper will continue its passage through the system without a major overhaul. This is good news for operators and players alike, as they do not need to worry about massive, unexpected changes. Those of us who work in the review and comparison side of the industry want safe, reliable, fun sites for players. It is our very reason for existing.”
“At Casino.org, we strive to direct players to the best operators in the business. We aim to weed out any that do not cut the mustard, or that look in any way risky or dangerous. One of the biggest alarm bells, when we are reviewing sites, is online casinos that do not make it easy for players to protect themselves. We want to see clear links to exclusion tools and deposit limits. It is part of our review process. Gambling is supposed to be fun; it is just another form of entertainment. If it is causing harm, it isn’t fun.”
Adam’s colleague, Hannah Cutajar, who is Casino.org’s Head of Gaming, explains,
“With our recommendations, players know they will be playing at one of the best online casinos in the UK. A great experience is still about personal preference, and what one person loves might not be to someone else’s taste. This could be down to how the games are presented on screen or which types of games are available. With online casinos, one size definitely does not fit all. The great thing for players is that there are so many great options to choose from. We always recommend that players know what they want from their online casino experience.”
“For people looking for the biggest welcome bonus, I suggest they try Dream Vegas or Grand Ivy Casino because they both offer £300 plus free spins. However, if payment options are your thing and you want to deposit with PayPal, Pub Casino or All British Casino are top-rated. We always advise our readers to check what is important to them, read our reviews and make a choice.”
Adam Volz adds,
“Gambling is legal in the UK and is heavily regulated. While that can initially feel restrictive, the laws are there to protect players, reduce fraud and money laundering and prevent children from gambling. When you look at it like that, the regulations seem reasonable. All gambling activities are restricted to adults aged 18 and over except for the Football Pools, which you have to be 16 to play. The market has come a long way since the Football Pools, which preceded the National Lottery as the go-to casual gambler’s choice for a wager. I would imagine that plenty of the people who won big on the pools did not even consider that they were gambling and would not have been seen dead in a high street bookies.”
“The industry changes constantly as new technology comes to the market. Regulation is often running to keep up with innovation. For example, when the Gambling Act 2005 came into force, no one could have predicted how smart technology and iPhones, in particular, would transform our relationship with mobile technology. Now, everyone can have a mobile casino in their pocket. However, at the time of the legislation, online gaming was niche and only available to individuals with a home desktop or laptop computer. While most people now have easy internet access, that was not the case twenty years ago. Many people could only get online at work, and that was not a place for online gambling.”
“While everyone thought that the next big thing would be the Metaverse and virtual reality gaming, the latest developments are much more subtle. Artificial Intelligence powers intuitive chatbots and algorithms to present players with their favourite games. Live casino games deliver realistic casino action wherever players are without needing headsets or other peripheral gadgets. Sites offer games from live casino developers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming to bring live gaming experiences home.”
The UK market continues to innovate and grow. It is an exciting place for players and operators alike. Arguably, the UK has the best online casino scene. The market is so well established and there are thousands of slots and other games to play. The country has decades of experience in creating the perfect playing environment. Casino.org prides itself on employing reviewers who are punters and players who know how to find the best online casinos and recommend them to their readers. It is a win-win situation for everyone who loves to gamble.
