The UK is renowned for its gambling sector which is considered to be one of the most competitive and open markets. A Non-UK company wishing to do business within the UK gambling sector may obtain a UK remote gambling licence which will be indefinitely valid and will give them direct access to the UK market. With reasonable costs for setting up and running a UK remote gaming operation and a 15% gaming tax, operators that hold a UK remote gambling licence will also benefit from a large base of players. Additionally, they can freely advertise their remote gambling facilities within the UK.
The UK is renowned for its gambling sector which is considered to be one of the most competitive and open markets. A Non-UK company wishing to do business within the UK gambling sector may obtain a UK remote gambling licence which will be indefinitely valid and will give them direct access to the UK market. With reasonable costs for setting up and running a UK remote gaming operation and a 15% gaming tax, operators that hold a UK remote gambling licence will also benefit from a large base of players. Additionally, they can freely advertise their remote gambling facilities within the UK.
Country Highlights
REMOTE GAMBLING GGY: £4.5 billion |
APPLICABLE LAW: Gambling Act, 2005 |
REMOTE GAMBLING MARKET SHARE: 33% of UK Gambling |
REGULATOR: UK Gambling Commission |
REMOTE GAMBLING LICENCES: 790+ |
GAMBLING EMPLOYMENT: 104,000+ Emlpoyees |
Legal Basis
Gambling in the UK is regulated by the Gambling Commission, under the Gambling Act, 2005, as updated. The Act has undergone an overhaul in 2014 bringing about fundamental changes to the way online gambling is regulated in the UK and making it a requirement for operators (irrespective of where they are based) providing gambling services, facilities for remote gambling or advertising to players in the UK, to hold a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission. The main licencing objectives as set out in the Act are mainly:
- preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime
- ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The Act as amended inevitably also affected the obligations of operators in relation to the payment of tax in the UK.
Benefits
- Access to the UK Market where the gambling sector is considered to be one of the most competitive and open markets. There are no restrictions on the number of licences to be awarded or the types of games/services allowed;
- Reasonable costs in the setting up and running of a UK remote gambling operation;
- A Non-UK company may obtain a licence;
- A licence is indefinitely valid;
- 15% Gaming tax;
- Payment Solution Providers approved.
Eligibility
- Standard Due Diligence Information & Documentation is required. This includes proof of identity and supporting documents relating to the business structure and set up;
- At least 1 item of equipment must be in the UK. This equipment may be used for the storing of information relating to participants, the setting up of a virtual game, race, event or process, or it may also be used to determine all or part of a result;
- A contact address in the UK;
- Pay application & annual fees - cost will depend on the type of operating licence required;
- Personal Management Licence (PML) is required for Key Individuals - upon submission of all information required, a PML will be issued within eight weeks.
Process & Timeline
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