Betting, Gambling and Gaming

All commercial gambling businesses which hold a licence under the Gambling Act 2005 must comply with that legislation and the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of practice (LCCP). 

The Gambling Commission regulates a number of different types of betting operators and service providers including; arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, lottery operators, external lottery managers and remote gambling (online and by phone), that use British-based equipment.

It can be incredibly difficult to identify if you have a gambling problem or addiction, with Guidance published by the Gambling Commission stating that:

“Problem Gambling means gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits. (…) Problem gamblers are defined as ‘gamblers who gamble with negative consequences and a possible loss of control”.

With this in mind, it’s always best to seek medical advice and support for your mental health and wellbeing if you have any concerns that you may have a problem with your gambling.

Self-exclusion is a method for individuals who want to self-identify that they have a gambling problem and can register with one, or more, betting operators, in order to exclude themselves from gambling. 

Individuals can self-exclude indefinitely or for varying periods of time, commonly five years, during which they will be prohibited from betting or gaming with the operators with which the exclusion applies. Various organisations also exist to provide a single point of call for exclusions, which cover multiple betting operators and which can apply to traditional brick-and-mortar betting shops as well as online gambling sites.