Welcome to the second part of “The Best Gambling Jurisdictions for Player Protections” post. Last week we talked about the importance of player protection and now we will go deeper about this topic with The UKCG plan and other countries jurisdictions aw well.
As jurisdiction are not made equally we rank them according to the level of protection and regulation they offer to casino players.
First-Tier Gambling Jurisdictions
First-tier gambling jurisdictions are just that, at the top of their game, first-class, prioritising player protection and fair gaming. These gambling regulators have not only helped create best practise, but they stand as the benchmark for it too!
Players are thought to be in safe hands when playing in any of the listed jurisdictions as they promote responsible gambling, enforce third-party software testing, separation of player funds, and dispute channels with mediation if required!
- The UK Gambling Commission
- Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Belgium Gaming Commission
- Danish Gambling Authority
- Gibraltar Gambling Commission
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
Of course, this doesn’t mean that disputes do not happen, but if they do, casinos licensed from the above jurisdictions provide complaints and resolution procedures.
Second-Tier Gambling Jurisdictions
Not quite making it to the top place, second-tier gambling jurisdictions, have all the hallmarks of good gaming but do not follow best practice laid out by their higher ranking peers. Often just missing out by a few points. In general, casinos from these jurisdictions as high-class establishments, but stay on the safe side and always double-check with the licensing commission where they are registered for any open disputes or cases against the casino before you play.
- Malta Gambling Authority
- Philippines Gambling Commission
- Antiga and Barbuda
Stamp Jurisdictions
Using casinos who are licensed by any of the following jurisdictions is not recommended. They are infamously known as “rubber stamp’ commissions, providing little in the way of player protection or dispute resolution and enforcement of licensing conditions is thin on the ground. If you run into trouble with one of these casinos, you are effectively on your own! Therefore, we recommend you avoid casinos who have acquired licensing from any of the following jurisdictions:
- Anjouan / Comoros
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles)
- Panama
Complaints and Resolution: Know your rights
With most top and second-tier gambling jurisdictions, you can lodge a complaint against the casino if you have a dispute. The casino is given the first chance to solve the dispute in a satisfactory way. If the dispute cannot be settled it is your right to submit it for third-party or licensing mediation known as Alternative Dispute Resolution and in jurisdictions such as the UK, the casino must provide this at no cost to the player.
Gambling Jurisdictions in Action: The UKGC and Player Protection
Gambling commissions around the world take gambling and the way casinos, who hold their licensees, operate very seriously. Especially, those who are classed as first and second-tier jurisdiction. The UKGC is a great example of this as they’re not afraid to hand out big fines and publish results of investigations, so you know without a doubt they’re fighting your corner (see the screengrab).
Choosing a Safe Online Casino
When it comes to picking an online casino to play with, you should be aiming for one licensed by a first-tier gambling jurisdiction. As a rule of thumb, you can generally say that the better the licensing the better the service you will receive from the casino, especially in times of dispute.
At Slotsbot, we make it a point to only recommend the best casinos, those who operate fairly, abide by their licensing duties and are not affiliated with stamp jurisdictions. This means when you chose to sign-up to a casino we recommend, we’ve already undertaken all the security and licensing checks to make sure you’re in safe hands at all times when playing online! Take a look at our top casino reviews and find your perfect and safe online casino now!
Gambling Jurisdictions and Player Protection FAQs
What does jurisdiction mean?
The country or legal territory that a casino operates within. Depending on the rules of the territory the casino may not need to have a physical presence within the country.
Are all jurisdictions equal?
No, just as every country has it’s own laws, they also have laws and rules regarding gambling that their citizens or casino business registered within the country must keep to when playing online.
How can I check the license of an online casino?
Most casinos will display the logo of their licensee at the footer of their homepage. Click on it to go directly to the licence details and any open cases against the casino or licenced parent company. If you cannot find the logo, search for the details of who licences the casino and check directly with the commission, they will list all their licenced casinos. If you can’t find the site, don’t play or stay safe and use a casino we’ve recommended.
How can I tell if I can play with an online casino from my country?
A quick test is to load up the site and see if it allows you access. If you are in a country where you cannot play, the site will not load.
Who do I contact if I have a complaint about a casino?
Your first point of call is always, irrespective of jurisdiction, the casino you have the issue with. They have the first right to solve the dispute with the player before the complaint can be escalated.
Where I can find out more about staying safe when I play online?
Check out the Slotsbot responsible gambling guide for an in-depth look at how to stay safe when you gamble on and offline.
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