There has been an increasing debate in how much regulation has to be imposed over gambling operators to protect customers.
Of course there have been examples of abuse and currently many top tier gambling markets have experienced several problem gambling outbreaks that have made it necessary to reconsider how operators are allowed to make business.
But after the obvious need of regulatory supervision, and further and much more strict measures coming to scene, many operators are now considering to go to more relaxed jurisdiccion on order to tect their business too.
Knowing that gambling, is something that will soughted no matter the barrier imposed, inreality how much is really necessary to protect customers?
A Little Bit of Context
Regulations have separated the gambling licenses and by extension operators into two types. Each one has its own intrinsic benefits and limitations, but operations are just simply the same.
Offshore Gambling
Offshore gambling is the bastard brother of Licensed operators. Offshore operators are legal entities or registered online casinos without UK license and presence in the United Kingdom or Sweden. With the twist that is obtained from jurisdictions that are very lax toward the responsibility operators must comply with customers.
This doesn't mean that all offshore operators are unethical and legal scammers. But the sad truth is that many rogue licenses have tarnished the reputation of these jurisdictions such as Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao and basically every caribbean gambling regulator, which have done little to nothing to change that situation.
Offshore operators thereby, have been banned and prosecuted on countries that are very strict in this matter no matter how positive can be their reputation, This has been the norm on socially highly-rated markets such as the UK, Canada, Australia and the US as western examples. However, in countries where online gambling isn't regulated (or even considered) they can find greener pastures to thrive.
Licensed Gambling
Just like having a gun or driving permit, licenses are issued by a regulatory body against operators that have passed a thoughtful evaluation to see if they are fit to practice and protect the gambling industry and its customers. The following are just bullet points excerpts of a necessary (and extensive) checklist demanded by the regulator.
● Complying with the jurisdiction standard of operational and technological standard to ensure fairness
● Transparency of source of funds received,
● Comply with the protection of customer from getting catch by the problem gambling lace
Once licensees are allowed to operate they have to face huge fines and penalizations, even revocation if they ever fail in one of all the previously related items,
Of course this has the added benefit of being allowed to operate on larger markets and the trust form governments and potential consumers
In essence, offshore operators have a far more easier and profitable business than their Licensed counterparts, regardless of the limitations stricter jurisdiccion can impose over them.
Licensed Vs. Offshore Gambling for Players
Serious gamblers (and by serious we mean aware) can tell the taken risk of playing with a licensed vs an offshore operator. However, the stricting or relaxing regulations that affect operators can greatly affect their gambling experience.
While major licensing is strict and somehow asphyxiating (deeding on the jurisdiction) for operators thos is done under the premise to protect customers. However, on these regard offshore operations still seem to have a bigger attraction component for customer when licensed ones fail to provide it,
Conclusion
One final analogy over licensing and offshore is that it comes very similar to visiting an amusement park. As an operator you are entitled to provide all the required protection measures to prevent any accident and lessen any further harm for problem gamblers.
But adding several and sometimes unnecessary safety measures to an audience that pretty much doesn’t care of its responsibility as an user will only ensure the creation of more riskier options to provide the excitement they were looking for.
It seems more than ever necessary that regulations should be imposed over customers as responsibility is not a one direction issue but a shared fundamental if we want to keep the fun and safety of gambling.