While many countries are still navigating the ins and outs of the online casino industry, the UK already has a working system that many regions can emulate.

After all, this industry has been simplified for both the operators and the players. In the modern day, a player can simply go online, browse all the UK casino sites, find a site they like, and start playing. It takes just minutes to do this, and the winnings from the games would be legal. But it was not always like this. Join us as we take a walk down memory lane, highlighting the changes that have paved the way for this simplicity.

Evolutions in the UK Casino Industry

Industries interact with their internal and external environments and adapt to changes. As such, the UK casino industry has embraced the following changes:

Increased Regulations.

In the past, a casino operator only needed to meet the casino standards to get a license to operate in the region. However, as more people make the shift from traditional to online casinos, the government has had to step in to protect players to a high degree. Below are the rules that operators must now comply with if they are to maintain their licenses:

  1. Identity verification. It's up to operators to ensure that only eligible people can sign up on their websites, thus barring minors and people with stolen identities. Operators perform these checks by asking for government documents and identity cards when people are signing up for an account. So, while the previous registration process was a walk in the park, players must now pass these checks before they can get a foot in the door.
  2. Limits on wager amounts. Many people use gambling as a way to pass the time or make money. But some people look at it as a way to launder money or engage in other criminal activities. The government has imposed betting limits to crack down on people who engage in such behavior, and it is the responsibility of an operator to not only flag but limit such accounts.
  3. Changes in data policies. The government requires operators to be transparent about how they use player data and to get consent from players before processing or storing their information. Operators must also ensure that player data is not available to unauthorised users. Failure to comply with this opens an operator up to legal woes and hefty fines.

Thanks to these increased regulations, players are more protected, which has prompted them to trust operators more, leading to a rise in the number of people signing up for accounts.

Responsible Gaming Awareness

Many people can log into their accounts, play a few games, and know when it is time to call it quits. However, some people are not able to do this as they exhibit problem gaming. The government has been working with operators to protect such players in the following ways:

  1. Awareness programs. Operators are now required to share resources with players on the signs of problem gaming and where they can get help. This way, any player who thinks they might be at risk can seek help instead of struggling in silence.
  2. Self-exclusion tools. Problem gaming does not happen overnight. As such, operators are now required to present players with tools to limit the amount of money or time they spend on games. For example, a player may opt to spend fifty pounds on games a week. Once they are past this limit, they cannot use their account for paid games any more and can instead play free games.

So, while more people may be making the transition to online gaming, these measures will help people play responsibly and sustainably.

Improved Technologies

The online casino industry depends on technology. It is thus not surprising that the past decade has witnessed more technological innovations, such as the use of mobile casino apps, blockchain technology in game fairness, live dealer games, artificial intelligence in marketing and game selection, and virtual and augmented reality. These have simplified access to games and have also made the games more engaging, resulting in interest from the younger generations.