It only seems like yesterday that online gambling became a sought-after entertainment avenue. Even though online casinos have been around since 1994, when The Gaming Club became the first official online casino to open, the industry has only started to make a mark in the last few years. The United Kingdom has always been at the forefront of the online gambling industry, pushing the boundaries of game play and regulation, and constantly trying to drive the industry to new standards.
While revenue and market size numbers have consistently remained impressive throughout the decades, the attitude towards online gambling, whether in the form of online sports betting or online casino play, has undergone notable change over the years. For centuries, gambling has been a fixed part of British culture from then origins of horse racing.
However, the gradual shift to a more digital and online lifestyle has opened a unique environment with new threats that require new measures to keep under control. With new digital challenges constantly emerging from new strides made in technology and software advances, what does the current online gambling landscape look like in the UK?
Protecting the Playing Public
One of the reasons why the UK has increased its Gross Gambling Yield yet again by 7% between the months of January and March this year is the history the UK has with gambling. More exposure over the course of time has established gambling as a recognised activity. However, that does not necessarily mean it is completely safe and secure. The increase in online activity has given rise to threats that can come from an external source, as well as internal.
While cybersecurity has now reached extremely reliable levels to keep the threat of hackers at bay, dangers are emerging in the form of players themselves and their own habits. As a result of vulnerable players succumbing to gambling addiction, more emphasis is being placed on protecting the playing public. 2024 saw measures introduced to limit the amounts that could be wagered on online slots games. A pilot project to conduct financial checks on players losing large sums of money over a defined period was also launched.
While the results of the latter are still to be determined, the latest protective measures are indicative of the stance the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the UK government with the help of bodies such as GAMSTOP and GamCare are taking against gambling addiction. While the schemes were designed to protect players on UK-licensed online casinos, it has not stopped players migrating to international platforms in search of casinos not on GAMSTOP to find casino play without limits. While the UKGC cannot influence activity on international operators, it is certainly making a statement of intent within the UK borders, one that many players are warming to.
Players still flocking through the virtual doors
Despite the regulations introduced, sports fans and casino enthusiasts are still partaking in online gambling within their means. Revenue numbers and market size have been rising by the year, and more innovations planned for the future point towards more interactive features to add to the current landscape of online gambling in the UK. In a world that is constantly being redesigned and digitalised, there is certainly more change to come and as one of the leaders in the industry, many eyes will on how the UK reacts to these developments.
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