Most people who play at online gambling sites like JBO and many others, are aware that one of the most important things to look for before signing up is a gaming license from a reputable licensing and authority body. In the UK, the vast majority of popular online casinos have received licenses from the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) while other countries, that have different laws and regulations, allow operators that hold licenses from other trusted authority bodies, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or Curacao, to service their clientele. However, there are pros and cons to both regulatory frameworks that are in the finer details.

The Pros

Operators who opt to obtain licensing from the UKGC are privy to some of the most-sought after licensing benefits for operators, that inadvertently benefit customers as well. Holders of UKGC licenses are able, and entitled, to service clients in almost every country that has legalized online gambling, with the UKGC having the ability to revoke licensing if operators are found to be inciting and aiding unlawful behaviours in other countries. Popular online gambling sites such as Betway has obtained a license from the UKGC and can now operate in the UK and many other countries. The UKGC license also means that players can be sure that the casino operator is adhering to the best possible consumer practices, as outlined and assessed by the UKGC. This means that players can access trusted and accurate demo slots, as well as being protected from scams, fund theft, and from engaging in dangerous and compulsive gambling behaviours. As the strictest and most reputable regulatory body, licenses from the UKGC result in the immediate trust of players and is the official licensing body of one of the most countries to start a business in.

The Cons

While there are many advantages to having a UKGC license, there are also a few drawbacks. The licenses issued by the UKGC only allow operators to service one facet of gambling such as casinos, racing, sports betting, etc. in the event that operators would like to offer more services, they are required to apply for a separate license. The licensing application and approval process is also one of the longest and could take around 16 weeks to be fully approved. The reason that the process takes this long is that lawyers and Gamstop advisors, who aim to mitigate the social harms of gambling such as addiction, need to be contacted to ensure that the strict regulatory requirements will be adhered to. Operators who forego Gamstop and KYC verification procedures will be prohibited from accepting British players. In addition to this, UKGC licenses are quite expensive, with the fees per license sometimes exceeding 42,000.

Alternate Licenses and Regulations

According to gambling laws in the UK, customers are discouraged from placing wagers with any operator who has not received a UKGC license for their services. However, every country has taken on a different set of regulations and laws. For example, New Zealand‘s laws allow customers to play only with off-shore operators and sites. This has been beneficial for the Buffalo Brands offerings such as Jackpot City NZ, which opted to obtain a license from the Malta Gaming Authority instead. While Jackpot City is just one example, many other operators have chosen other licensing bodies due to increased flexibility. Malta and Curacao gambling licenses allow operators to offer as many services as they want to at a fraction of the cost in addition to a quicker application process that can take between 2 and 4 weeks. However, these alternate regulations and licenses also have a few disadvantages such as the lack of consumer protections and dispute resolutions, as well as operators being unable to service clients in countries that have legalised online gambling such as Sweden, Britain, and Australia.

Taking the above factors into consideration, it is clear that the regulations and licensing that operators choose has less to do with the disadvantages of either option, but more to do with whether the advantages will suit their business goals. While regulatory frameworks are set up to ensure the safety of players by enforcing rules, players are constantly reminded to play responsibly and seek help should they notice compulsive gambling tendencies in themselves or their loved ones.