Jurisdiction of the bookmaker

Tasks of the Gambling Commission

Every committee, which has licensed a given bookmaker, should take full responsibility for it, watching over its actions. The most important tasks of the Gambling Commission are :

  • combating money laundering; making sure that gambling is 'clean';
  • resolving disputes between bookmakers and gamblers;
  • receiving and responding to complaints from players;
  • protection of gambling addicts;
  • protecting minors from gambling through identity verification.

The last two points are very important. A profit-making bookmaker often does not pay attention to people who lose their homes, families, health and sometimes even their lives through gambling. The aim of the Gambling Committee is to make betting companies aware of the possible effects of gambling.

How do I get a license from a verified gambling committee?

Apart from the entities for which the licence is relatively easy to obtain, because it is only necessary to pay for it, many other companies place high demands on the bookmaking companies. In order to obtain a licence to gamble in their country, they have to:

  • prepare detailed and transparent rules of betting;
  • draw up procedures for the protection of addicted players;
  • document the origin of the funds from which the company is financed;
  • ensure the protection of the player's assets and personal data;
  • force the registration of the player, including the acceptance of the rules;
  • prepare a business model and the development of the company;
  • prevent minors from playing;
  • create a transparent website.

The most popular gambling commissions

  • UK Gambling Commission

    The UK Gambling Commission is a UK Gambling Commission established in 2005 under the UK Gambling Act. It is supported by licence fees and gambling taxes. It is worth noting that for two years all bookmakers advertising in the British Isles have been required to hold a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission. Many companies complain that the gambling tax is too high as it is 15% of the income.

    Gambling Commission
  • Gibraltar’s Gambling Division

    Gibraltar's Gambling Division was established by the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority and is responsible for regulating gambling in Gibraltar under the Gibraltar Gambling Act 2005. This committee may be used as a model for other licensing countries. It has average tax rates and takes good care of the interests of players by making high demands on bookmakers. It is also on the UK Gambling Commission's white list, so bookmakers affiliated here can also advertise in the British Isles. Let's add that the annual licence costs GBP 2,000 and the tax is 1% of turnover and is limited to GBP 85,000-425,000 per year.

  • Lotteries and Gaming Authority

    The Gambling Commission in Malta, which, however, is not very much appreciated by gamblers. This creature, founded in 2001, although it has licensed to many significant bookmakers, does not stand up for players as its position on the market would indicate. The annual license fee here costs 8500 EUR.

  • Curaçao eGaming Licensing Authority

    The Curaçao eGaming Licensing Authority arouses extreme feelings because it licenses many low ranked bookmakers in the SBR ranking. It is worth noting, however, that among the bookmakers licensed by this institution is also Pinnacle Sports, which boasts an A+ rating. The tax here amounts to 2% of net turnover.

  • Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission

    One of the oldest of its kind, founded in 1962, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission's bookmakers can advertise in the UK. The tax here counts on the net profit. Up to £20 million it is 1.5%, £20 million to £40 million it is 0.5% and over £40 million it is 0.1%.

  • Costa Rica Gambling Licence

    An example of a committee that does not mind the rights and complaints of players, and licenses are issued to almost everyone. All because Costa Rica does not have laws that regulate gambling. A three-month licence costs USD 1 500 here.

Summary

When choosing a bookmaker, the licensing authority of the bookmaker is not the most important. It is proved by the fact that Costa Rica, which can be licensed by almost everyone, is the source of the 5Dimes bookmaker, so one of the most credible companies of this type in the world, which in the ranking of credibility can boast the A+ rating. The same goes for Pinnacle Sports, which is licensed by the Curaçao commission. Common sense should be maintained, because jurisdiction is only one of many aspects that should be taken into account when choosing a bookmaker.

Nevertheless, before opening an account with a given company it is worth at least to check which country has licensed it and whether contact with the relevant committee will be possible in case of problems - and certainly if you have to play for high stakes, reaching a few or several thousand PLN or even more EUR.