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Gambling Commission

Gambling Commission
Motto Keeping gambling fair and safe for all
Predecessor Gaming Board
Formation September 1, 2007; 9 years ago (2007-09-01)
Type Government agency
Legal status Non-departmental public body
Purpose Gambling regulation in the United Kingdom
Headquarters Victoria Square House
Location
Region served
UK
Membership
280 employees
Chief Executive
Sarah Harrison
Main organ
Board of Commissioners (Chairman - Philip Graf), Management Board
Parent organization
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Website Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission is Great Britain's regulatory body for most, but not all, gambling.

It was established under the Gambling Act 2005 and assumed full powers in 2007, taking over responsibility from the Gaming Board for Great Britain, in regulating arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, slot machines and lotteries, but not spread betting (regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

It is also responsible for the remote gambling which includes betting online, by telephone and other communication devices using the equipment, based on the territory of Great Britain.

On 1 October 2013 the National Lottery Commission, which regulates the National Lottery, became part of the Gambling Commission.

The Commission's stated aims are "to keep crime out of gambling, to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and to protect children and vulnerable people". However, critics note its ADR process and default non-disclosure of complaints as often part of "standard procedure" contrasts directly with the validity of this claimed remit.

The Commission is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It issues licences to gambling operators, can levy fines and revoke licences, and is tasked with investigating and prosecuting illegal gambling. It is also responsible for advising national and local government on gambling-related issues.

The UK Gambling Commission issues licences only to those operators whose remote gambling equipment is located on the territory of the UK. Those operators who wish to advertise their services on the territory of the UK, but are based outside the country, have to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission or, alternatively, one of the whitelisted gambling jurisdictions. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill proposes to change the licensing requirements so that any company wishing to advertise gambling and take bets from consumers in the UK must hold a licence issued by the Gambling Commission. The proposals are being challenged by the gambling industry including the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association.


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