Whether you are new to the scene or an experienced pro, the same checks need to be applied when exploring the wide range of online casino options around the world. With more markets entering the industry
There are occasions when we here at ReadyBetGo want to bring you interesting facts about the gambling industry When something catches our eye, we will publish it for your enjoyment. 
Source: Pixels as a result of the growing digital footprint and the potential of the online world, there is not only increasingly more traffic entering the virtual online casino doors but also a collection of illegal operators that are working outside the legal framework in these emerging markets.
Therefore, it is essential to know if an online casino is regulated or not and for players in one of the leading markets in the industry, the UK, there are easy ways to find out if a platform is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). With the rise of non-UKGC casinos across the world, there is much more choice out there for online casino enthusiasts, even for players based in the UK, but there is a reason why the UK is one of the industry leaders.
The need to check online casino licensing before even subscribing is paramount for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is safe to presume that unlicensed online casinos can tweak any parameter to their benefit due to the fact their have no legal ties or responsibilities. Whether it is unfair wagering terms, lengthy withdrawal times, or a lack of data protection measures, there are many aspects that can make your life as a player a nightmare.
The first place to check for legitimate licensing information is the bottom of each webpage on an online casino website. For players in the UK, the magic number to look out for is the licensing or account number. However, the fact this is simply displayed should not be trusted entirely. Unlicensed, illegal operators can also include a made-up number on their web pages.
Once you have the number at hand, you can then use your best detective skills to quickly look up the provider. The UKGC has a database of all the registered and licensed operators in the UK and by entering the licensing or account number into the search tab, you can pull up all the relevant information for that online casino. You are then able to see if a particular domain such as bingo or casino is active and is licensed.
If your self-verification metrics are still not satisfied, you can also look up any recent news on a provider related to scams. But if you are still perusing the website, take a moment to open the privacy policy which will provide information on how personal information is dealt with. Usually, an operator will affirm their licensing details and if this matches all the sources you have already consulted, that is another tick in the licensing box.
One of the most talked about topics currently is player wellbeing on online gambling platforms. Therefore, anti-addiction bodies such as GAMSTOP and GamCare have gained greater recognition. Since each country tends to have their own versions of these organisations, the operators that are UK licensed will tend to be the ones that display links to GAMSTOP, GamCare, or GambleAware.
Indicators such as these addiction support bodies along with license number checking and fact finding are all important in ascertaining if an online casino is UK licensed. Once you are satisfied that the operator is regulated, an instant trust is established with the website as you embark on your online casino adventure.
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