Keep in the loop with all UK gambling developments at Betting.com
All the info you need to know about betting laws and regulations in the UK
The United Kingdom sports betting industry has the most developed laws in the international gaming community. The oldest sportsbooks in the world began in the UK, including one which started in the 19th Century. The UK sports gambling community also produced the world’s first sports betting exchange, where gamblers do not bet against fixed-odds, but instead wager in a betting pool. The UK Gambling Commission controls all online and remote licensing.
The UK Gambling Commission stipulates some strict rules for operators within the country, all of which are designed to ensure that players are not subjected to unfair or impossible standards. These are laid out in the Gambling Act 2005, and only by complying fully with the regulations can a sports betting provider earn a license to operate in Britain.
Licensed sites will display these badges clearly for customers to see, but you can also search for a site via the Government’s public register.
In April 2023 the UK government published a white paper review on gambling, focusing on the protection of players with the aim of reforming gambling laws for the digital age.
Betting.com updates you with all new information on betting in the UK
Betting.com bring you reviews of the top UK sportsbooks and will inform you of any significant changes in their offers and practices. At Betting.com we aim to bring you the latest news on the sports betting industry and major issues surrounding the industry in gambling and sport. We stay on top of changes to the law regarding sports betting and will inform you of any important developments. Read our blog and our news section to stay ahead of the curve.
Betting.com answers to all of your questions about betting in the UK
Betting.com provides you with all of the information you need to enjoy sports betting in a safe and responsible way. Information to offer you protection and add to your enjoyment is provided on the site and some of the main areas are summarised below.
Betting licences for UK betting sites
All UK betting sites must have a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This is to ensure that the company is well regulated, well monitored and adheres to a strict code of conduct. This offers bettors a fair and safe environment. Most leading UK sportsbooks also have additional licenses, often from Malta, Gibraltar or Ireland.
Responsible Gambling
Betting.com promote responsible gambling and want all punters to enjoy wagering in a safe environment.
Responsible Gambling means that any form of gambling should uphold the principles of the Gambling Act and should also be conducted safely and responsibly so that gambling can be enjoyable but never harmful to individuals or their families. Protection of minors is key, and Betting.com stress that sports betting is to be enjoyed by those who are over 18. You can read more about this on the official Gamble Aware website.
Betting.com provide information on safer gambling and the signs of problem gambling and there are a number of links to external agencies for those who feel they need additional help.
Why do bookmakers ask for personal documents
As previously stated bookmakers must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and must abide by license terms in order to ensure the licence is not revoked.
One of the key points of the licensing conditions is to ensure gambling is not associated with or used to support any criminal activity. Therefore gambling businesses are required to seek information about their customers’ identities by law. “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks now in operation at all online sportsbooks.
Why trust Betting.com
At Betting.com we pride ourselves on bringing you a direct, honest, informative and transparent take on sports betting in the United Kingdom. We have a duty of care to bring you, our readers, relevant, clear and honest information in order to give you the tools to make informative choices. We research information thoroughly, keep up to date with all issues in the industry and present the information in a clear and concise format. We advocate the use of licensed betting sites, urge all bettors to read terms and conditions thoroughly, believe in keeping customers well informed and champion responsible gambling. Read more about us.
Chris is a former athlete and a qualified PE teacher. He is a keen football fan, watching many matches at different levels throughout the season, and enjoys following many different sports. With betting and sports sites, he has a keen eye for detail and can to highlight positives and negatives for users. His experience in sport as a performer, teacher, writer and fan allows him to see things from many different perspectives.
