As more and more countries adopted new gambling laws and lowered the restrictions in the years that followed, this naturally attracted a wider base of players. But, as with anything that grows in popularity, so do the problems associated with it. This meant that casinos both online and offline would now have to address challenges such as underage gambling, addictions, theft, fraud, and a string of other problems which would be very difficult to manage if it weren\u2019t for the gaming authorities. When these issues became more and more apparent, other countries began setting up their own gaming control boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK Gambling Regulators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The UK jumped on the bandwagon in 2005, when they established the Gambling Act and assumed full power. This isn\u2019t surprising considering it was the British colonies which were the ones to first implement national lotteries for raising extra sources of revenue in the 18th and 19th centuries. The legislation was set to regulate everything from arcade games, slots, bingo and lotteries to remote gaming online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other countries such as China and Japan have only legalized certain forms of gambling in the last few years, but most are actually banned. Macau is considered the \u201cgambling capital of the world\u201d and China were the first to invent playing cards. But their laws are still heavily regulated when it comes to both online casinos and land-based venues, primarily due to illegal gambling in the country. The same laws still apply to Hong Kong. But because it\u2019s still part of English common law, the approach to certain forms of gambling is more liberal. <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"gambling](\"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/crocodiles-gambling.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn Australia, gambling is a major health issue. Almost 80,000-160,000 experience some kind of gambling problem. There are regulatory bodies under the Commonwealth for each continent. These include the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, Independent Gaming Authority, Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pokies are the biggest attraction for Australian gamblers, and they are also big fans of lotteries too. All of which are owned by state government and private sector companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are Gaming Commissions Responsible For?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve established what they are and some of the countries which have them. So let\u2019s talk about what they actually do. First and foremost, the objective for these authorities is to eliminate illegal gambling operations and crime, on top of providing protection for the vulnerable. This doesn\u2019t just include individual players and consumers, but also shielding the casinos themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gaming commissions are responsible for issuing licenses to vendors. They also advise the governments on gambling-related issues, and liaise with police to combat suspicious and illegal gambling activities. Their remit covers practically everything to do with gambling in that area of the world. They implement new laws and practices, issue fines and penalties, and provide services and anonymous disclosure for problem gamblers. In addition, they also conduct surveys and research on gambling-related topics, and investigate suspicious licensees. They even dictate the types of and classes of games which each establishment is permitted to operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Happens When An Operator Displays Unlawful Behavior?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"gambling](\"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/rules-book.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nGambling Commissions carry out assessments of every gambling operator, bookmaker, or betting service each year. If it comes to light that the company has not been following standard practices or has done something unlawful, it\u2019s not just a slap on the wrist they can expect. They will either face some kind of financial punishment, dismissal, or be instructed to raise their standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are several things that casinos can do wrong. These include failing to prevent money laundering, producing misleading advertisements, delaying a player from withdrawing their winnings, or simply offering a game which is otherwise not permitted. This results in some serious consequences from the gaming authorities, including heavy fines and possible jail time for those responsible. One of the best examples of the gaming commission\u2019s wrath towards unlawful operators was in the case of 32Red. The player received a \u00a32million fine on the spot for failing to acknowledge and support a problem gambler. He had deposited \u00a3758,000 with the company over the course of 2 years. But the casino failed to check whether he could afford the bets he was placing, despite several previous regulatory rulings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employee Misconduct<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another more recent example is the Steve Wynn sexual misconduct case. Offenses like this usually fall to the higher courts regardless of the industry. But the former CEO\u2019s received over $50m in fines collectively within the last 2 months. And all of these fines were issued by the relevant gaming commissions. If it weren\u2019t for the fact that Wynn Resorts is one of the world\u2019s largest casino operators in the world who provide a mammoth chunk of revenue to the states each year \u2013 they no doubt would have lost every single one of their gaming licenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thing is\u2026 for a company of that scale, we are pretty much talking pocket change. However, for smaller online casinos and betting shops, a fine for even a fraction of the size above could have detrimental effects on that business\u2019s future operations, prospects, and of course their reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What About When the Commissions Themselves Face Criticism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Believe it or not, the commissions and boards have also had their fair share of controversy in the past. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation had to review their practices a few times over the course of the last decade. This was mainly due to incidents involving stolen lottery tickets from convenience store clerks, and the circulation of fraudulent tickets. The OLGC supposedly turned a blind eye to these incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody knows what kind of fine they paid for allowing such events to take place. But they have since mandated new security measures to protect lottery participants and winning customers. This year, the UK Gambling Commission voided all open ante-post bets placed on BetBright\u2019s horse racing games, as well as wagers placed months in advance for the Cheltenham Festival and football season to start in August. The reason was due to BetBright selling their technology to 888.com shortly after the races were due to be held. The takeover company confirmed they would honor the outstanding bets placed by punters prior to the sale. But nothing ever came to fruition from their side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Chile, the head of the Chilean Gaming Control Board (SJC) was forced to resign from his position by Chile\u2019s president in 2016, after controversy arose over licensing a random casino. The incident followed a brutal 2-year bidding process by another eligible operator. According to sources, the casino group\u2019s proposal for the license (for which they were more than a suitable fit) had been rejected on 3 separate occasions. The media turmoil caused the license to be later awarded to the novice operator elsewhere in Marina Del Sol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nGambling Commissions carry out assessments of every gambling operator, bookmaker, or betting service each year. If it comes to light that the company has not been following standard practices or has done something unlawful, it\u2019s not just a slap on the wrist they can expect. They will either face some kind of financial punishment, dismissal, or be instructed to raise their standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are several things that casinos can do wrong. These include failing to prevent money laundering, producing misleading advertisements, delaying a player from withdrawing their winnings, or simply offering a game which is otherwise not permitted. This results in some serious consequences from the gaming authorities, including heavy fines and possible jail time for those responsible. One of the best examples of the gaming commission\u2019s wrath towards unlawful operators was in the case of 32Red. The player received a \u00a32million fine on the spot for failing to acknowledge and support a problem gambler. He had deposited \u00a3758,000 with the company over the course of 2 years. But the casino failed to check whether he could afford the bets he was placing, despite several previous regulatory rulings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employee Misconduct<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another more recent example is the Steve Wynn sexual misconduct case. Offenses like this usually fall to the higher courts regardless of the industry. But the former CEO\u2019s received over $50m in fines collectively within the last 2 months. And all of these fines were issued by the relevant gaming commissions. If it weren\u2019t for the fact that Wynn Resorts is one of the world\u2019s largest casino operators in the world who provide a mammoth chunk of revenue to the states each year \u2013 they no doubt would have lost every single one of their gaming licenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thing is\u2026 for a company of that scale, we are pretty much talking pocket change. However, for smaller online casinos and betting shops, a fine for even a fraction of the size above could have detrimental effects on that business\u2019s future operations, prospects, and of course their reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What About When the Commissions Themselves Face Criticism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Believe it or not, the commissions and boards have also had their fair share of controversy in the past. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation had to review their practices a few times over the course of the last decade. This was mainly due to incidents involving stolen lottery tickets from convenience store clerks, and the circulation of fraudulent tickets. The OLGC supposedly turned a blind eye to these incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody knows what kind of fine they paid for allowing such events to take place. But they have since mandated new security measures to protect lottery participants and winning customers. This year, the UK Gambling Commission voided all open ante-post bets placed on BetBright\u2019s horse racing games, as well as wagers placed months in advance for the Cheltenham Festival and football season to start in August. The reason was due to BetBright selling their technology to 888.com shortly after the races were due to be held. The takeover company confirmed they would honor the outstanding bets placed by punters prior to the sale. But nothing ever came to fruition from their side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Chile, the head of the Chilean Gaming Control Board (SJC) was forced to resign from his position by Chile\u2019s president in 2016, after controversy arose over licensing a random casino. The incident followed a brutal 2-year bidding process by another eligible operator. According to sources, the casino group\u2019s proposal for the license (for which they were more than a suitable fit) had been rejected on 3 separate occasions. The media turmoil caused the license to be later awarded to the novice operator elsewhere in Marina Del Sol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n