When it comes to online games of chance, most people automatically think of actual games – blackjack, poker, and the like. That’s natural due to the significant number of gambling games available online. However, sports betting is also available, and can give you the chance to increase your enjoyment while winning big at the same time.
With that being said, not all betting sites are created equal. Some are well worth your time, but others are not on the up and up and should be avoided. How do you tell the difference between betting sites that are worth using and those better avoided? It really just comes down to a few crucial considerations.
One of the first things to consider when comparing betting sites is whether or not the sites you intend to use are actually licensed or not. You obviously want them to have a valid business license, but it goes farther than this. If you are a UK resident, then by law you can only gamble on a betting site that has a valid UK license. If it does not, then you cannot bet on that site. For companies, licensure has some perks, too. For instance, if they have a license, a business can advertise their gambling related activities on television and in print.
There are quite a few reasons that you need to ensure any betting site you use is UK licensed. One of the most important is to ensure that the site is operating legally, and that is following the rules as set out by the various agencies and authorities that govern online gambling. For instance, the HMRC is involved, as is the Financial Conduct Authority. It also helps to ensure that the website is not allowing anyone under the age of 18 to gamble (the current gambling age limit in the UK).
When it comes to UK licensure, no discussion is complete without mentioning the UK Gambling Commission, which is responsible for issuing each license, as well as for ensuring that all gambling-related companies are following through on their responsibilities and requirements. Currently, any business wishing to advertise gambling within the UK, or to allow UK residents to place wagers of any type, must have a license issued by the Gambling Commission.
