Are online casinos even legal? Do they have the sanction of the government to operate? Yes, most of them do. The key to knowing whether a game like Aparate 77777 or a website is legal is to check its license. You can see that at the bottom of their pages.
How can online casinos become legal? Who gives them the authority to operate? Today, we will tell you all you need to know about the legality of online casinos.
A Brief History of Online Gambling
The first license to operate an online gambling site was given to Liechtenstein International Lottery in 1994. As time passed, many countries now approve iGaming, provided that the companies operating the gambling facilities meet specific standards.
It was back in 1994 when Antigua and Barbuda created and passed a law called the Free Trade & Processing Act. The law allowed organizations to receive licenses for operating online casinos. By 1996, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission was the organization that issued most of the licenses for online casinos that operated globally.
It was in the late 1990s that the online casino industry boomed. At that time, there were a handful amount of them, only about 15 websites. Today, there are hundreds of gaming platforms!
Here are some countries that allow online gambling:
- Canada
- United States
- UK
- Malta
- Curacao
- Gibraltar
Most European countries allow online gambling and issue licenses to iGaming platforms. For example, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or UKGC is authorized to issue licenses in the UK and some jurisdictions.
What are the Responsibilities of a Gambling Commission?
What exactly do gambling commissions do? Is it their job to check on the online casinos, or do they just issue licenses?
Generally, the role of a gambling commission is to protect consumers. It is also their role to ensure that crime does not happen in any type of gaming activity. Furthermore, they want to make sure that the gambling facilities are fair.
It is also up to members of the commission to involve the police in serious cases. If there are issues of embezzlement, fraud, or anything similar, the police can help in prosecuting the online casino. Some gambling commissions can also rule in favour of the consumer and issue a fine to the casino.
Lastly, if a casino keeps violating the rules, the gambling commission can withhold the license or not renew it in the future. They also have the option to revoke the license.
Do Legal Casinos Get Punished?
Yes, legal casinos must meet certain responsibilities. If they fail to do so, they will pay a fine. The worst thing that can happen is for a gambling commission to shut down the casino. Below are some examples of fines that casinos pay:
- Gambling Disorder – there was an issue where an operator failed to act in helping a person who showed clear signs of a gambling problem or addiction. The commission in charge of this casino fined the online casinos £300,000 (part of the casino’s responsibility is to protect a consumer from gambling addiction).
- Failed to Conduct Background Check – the UKGC fined an online casino for not conducting a background check on a customer. This customer caused harm to himself and other people.
- Potential Money Laundering – a gambling commission fined a casino around £90,000. The casino allowed a customer to deposit a huge sum of money. The casino did not even bother to investigate where the money came from.
As you can see, licensed casinos have a lot of responsibilities. There is no question about the legality of their existence. Because of the governing bodies or commissions, it is known which casinos are legit. You can also count on the gambling commissions to help any consumer who thinks that the casino is unfair.
The online casino industry now has a solid footing in the gaming community. More and more people find it better to gamble online because of the sheer amount of game choices. In addition, many casinos offer bonuses, which land-based casinos do not provide.
