British Gambling Authority
The UK gambling industry offers diverse forms of gambling to the public including casino games, sports-betting, bingo and gaming machines. All these are available on the high street and online from operators who hold the necessary licences issued by the Gambling Commission and local authorities. You are advised to check on an operator's website which of its products is licensed and by whom, and whether you are satisfied from a review of the regulator's site that you will be adequately protected if you play.
For information about the Gambling Commission, the regulators of the British gambling industry, please go to www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Dubai Financial Services Authority: United Kingdom: Bank of England Prudential Regulation Authority The Financial Conduct Authority: United States: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation DC New York State Department of Financial Services Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: Uruguay. Latest news: Gambling Commission welcomes publication of Gambling Act Review Call for Evidence We license and regulate the people and businesses that provide gambling in Great Britain including the National Lottery. British Horseracing Authority. This article is more than 4 years old. Betfair becomes BHA betting partner as Coral adds to sponsorship pressure. This article is more than 4 years old. The Gambling Commission is an executive non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for regulating gambling and supervising gaming law in Great Britain. Its remit covers arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, slot machines and lotteries, as well as remote gambling, but not spread betting.
Some more financial market-based products (such as 'contracts for difference') are not licensed by the Gambling Commission, and may be licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (www.fca.org.uk) or even by foreign regulators (in the case of some binary options).
Legal Ages
As a general rule, the minimum legal age for gambling in the UK is 18 years old. This applies to adult gaming centres, betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, racetracks and online gambling. The exceptions to this are the National Lottery, lotteries and football pools – you’re allowed to take part in these from the age of 16 as well as some non-commercial gambling, or low stakes and prizes gambling. However, some gaming machines, such as coin pushers, teddy grabbers and some lower stakes fruit machines in family entertainment centres and amusement arcades don’t have a minimum legal age and are open to anyone. Note that a person who is over the age of 16 and under 18 who participates in gambling (not permitted under these exemptions) is also guilty of a criminal offence.
Responsible Advertising
The industry code for socially responsible advertising can be found here. More information about the code, including details about how to make a complaint about an advert, can be found here. Adverts should usually include a link to our website.
Social Gaming
Currently in the UK games that do not enable you to win anything in money or money's worth fall outside regulation. However the worldwide popularity of some of these games which are constructed be highly interactive, sociable and compelling (particularly where they bear a resemblance to play for real casino games), may ultimately prompt regulators in the UK and elsewhere to regulate.
Financial Spread Betting
Financial spread betting is not regulated by the Gambling Commission in Britain, rather it is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This means that companies offering financial spread betting opportunities to customers have to be licenced by, and abide by the rules set out by, the FCA. You can check with the Financial Services Register to make sure a company holds a licence to operate in the UK. There are some similarities between spread betting and gambling: the outcome of the financial transaction is uncertain and there is a risk of losing your money. These factors can lead to people finding it difficult to control the amount of time and money they spend on spread betting. Anyone experiencing difficulties with spread betting can seek help and support from the National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 and the National Gambling Treatment Service.
Complaining about Gambling
GambleAware does not deal with complaints about gambling. Find out more about how to complain here.
Horse racing betting is one of the most well-liked and accepted spectator sports in the United Kingdom. Gambling on race horses plays a crucial role in the nation’s betting industry. The two key forms of horse racing in the United Kingdom are flat and hurdle races. Another popular form of horse racing in the nation is one that is relatively informal, called point to point racing. This form of racing along with other forms of professional racing is governed by the nation’s horse racing regulatory body – British Horse Racing Authority.
Where to Bet on UK Horse Races
UK Horse Racing History
British horse racing has its roots in 200AD, when Roman soldiers who invaded the isle conducted the first horse back tournament in the country. The first horse race to have been officially recorded in the United Kingdom was in 1174, during Henry II’s reign. The first horse race tournament, in which a trophy was given, was conducted in 1512, in Chester.
In 1601, the sport received attention from a new patron, King James I, who spent many hours at horse racing, when he chanced on Newmarket, a village well known for its amateur horse races. King Charles I, King James I’s successor, inaugurated United Kingdom’s first Cup Race in horse racing. The cup, titled Gold Cup was instated in 1634. Even today, Newmarket Heath features two active horse race courses, the July Course and Rowley Mile.
This phase of growth in horse racing was brought to a standstill when Sir Oliver Cromwell banned all forms of horse racing. Furthermore, he had most horses requisitioned as a result of which attempts to breed horses were strained. Cromwell was succeeded by King Charles II, who instituted the Newmarket Town Plate, a horse race that is still a part of the United Kingdom.
By the 18th century, the British had cultivated an interest in thoroughbred horses, and recognizing this, the Queen had the Ascot Racecourse created. In 1711, the first race was held here. In the same year, the Royal Ascot – a vital part of the United Kingdom’s racing calendar – was founded by the Queen. As an annual event, the Royal Ascot is a high point in terms of horse racing events in the UK. Even today, the event brings together a spectatorship of about 300,000. The opening race at Royal Ascot is called the Queen Anne Stakes, after its founder.
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The year 1740 witnessed the parliament’s attempts to bring down Britain’s interest in horse racing by introducing an act to that effect. This, however, did not affect the enthusiasm of equestrianism’s patrons. Nevertheless, it drew attention to an aspect – that British horse racing required some changes that could uplift it. In view of this, the Jockey Club was created. Comprised of owners of race courses, aristocrats and rich horse breeders, the club played a crucial role in regulating the British horse racing scene till 2006.
In 2006, the club stopped functioning as a governing body for the sport and this was done in an attempt to change British horse racing’s image as a sport for the elite. Instead, the club wanted the sport to be embraced by all. The present British horse racing governing body is British Horseracing Authority (BHA), formed in 2007.
Sire-Line Thoroughbred Founders
Thoroughbred racing derives its name from the concept of only using horses that are bred from a specifically chosen stock of horses. Only such horses are allowed to run in a thoroughbred race. During the 17th and 18th centuries, three foreign horses were brought to Britain to become the sires of thoroughbred horses that were used subsequently in racing.
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The horses and local mares were bred, and their foals were carefully selected to create a line of another three legendary thoroughbred sires who gave rise to modern thoroughbreds. The original sires, Darley Arabian, Godolphin Arabian and Byerley Turk were warhorses. These foreign thoroughbreds were strong and fast, however, their strength and speed were not fitting for horse racing. Several generations later, came three sires that defined thoroughbreds. The sires, Eclipse, Herod and Matchem, are at the top of the genetic line for all modern thoroughbreds.
Horse Racing in England
Of the numerous types of horse racing in England, the two most favoured are Flat Racing and National Hunting. In flat racing, thoroughbreds are raced over a flat track, at a set speed. In national hunt racing, horses have to jump over hurdles on soft ground. The biggest event commemorating this form of horse racing is the Aintree Grand National. In addition to this, some of the seasonal horse race events that are the highlight of the sport along with Royal Ascot are Cheltenham Festival and Classic Races.
Horse Racing in Scotland
Horse racing in Scotland is conducted on five racecourses. Among them, the racecourses conduct an average of a hundred races a year. One of Scotland’s most well-liked races is National Hunt Race, one which originated in the country. Another racing event that is popular with the Scots is Steeple Chases. This sport started in Scotland in the 1700s, as a point to point race that was run on Scotland’s landscapes. The race received its moniker Steeple Chases, as church steeples often served as the finishing points for most of the races. Five of Scotland’s biggest racetracks are Ayr Racecourse, Musselburgh Racecourse, Hamilton Park, Perth Racecourse and Kelso Racecourse.
On the international racing circuit, Scottish race horses have shown better capability than thoroughbreds. This is largely attributed to their being born and bred on a landscape and climate that enhances their stamina and strength. Most Scottish race horses are credited with having powerful lungs and smaller ears which enable the horses to run faster than their counterparts.
Horse Racing in Wales
Over the centuries, Wales has had several racecourses that have drawn a lot of spectators. One of the most widely used Welsh race horse is Monmouthshire’s Cheapstow Racecourse that hosts the Welsh National. In addition to this, the Ffos Las Racecourse is another that was started in 2009. The racecourse offers both regular and themed racing days.
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A third racecourse that is extremely popular in Wales is Bangor-On-Dee – the nation’s oldest racecourse that is still operational. These three racecourses predominantly host Wales’ preferred forms of horse racing – National Hunting and Flat Racing. In addition to this, Wales has 27 other racecourses dedicated to harness racing – another popular form of horse racing.