The UK and US are the perfect example to prove that language or modern laws mean nothing when different cultures have different beliefs. These giants are English speakers, huge economic powers, neighbors, and yet their gambling regulations differ so much.
Wherever you look, you’ll notice dissimilarities between earnings taxation, online casino regulation, or different approaches that have an impact or different nuances influenced by cultural and regulatory frameworks.
So, if you think that the US and the UK are similar when it comes to online gambling, find out today that there is much ground to cover, and you should be aware of how these two regions handle their gambling industries.
The Regulatory Framework: UK vs. US
To avoid any confusion, we will take them one by one instead of comparing an array of consecutive criteria from this industry.
UK Has A More Unified Approach
Compared to the US the regulatory approach is more centric in the UK, since UKGC oversees all gambling activities, including online casinos. What the institution aims for is to have a centralized authority that is able to ensure that all the casino actors adhere to the same set of rules and regulations.
This is how they maintain a broader control over the industry, creating a gambling environment that is easier to monitor and control. UKGC is one of the most rigurous regulators in the world, and they only focus on consumer protections and safety.
UKGC wants to reduce addiction problems as much as possible while also maintaining an environment that is safe, fair, and transparent. One specific aspect regarding UKGC ways of regulation is the difficulty level of obtaining a license. All the operators must meet impressively high standards of operation, and go through rigorous testing and auditing.
Obtaining an UKGC license does not necessarily mean that you will keep it if you are no longer meeting these rough standards. Therefore, this regulatory framework works like a single entity keeping both operators and players in check under the most stringent regulations.
United States Adopts The State-by-State Regulation
You can already smell the discrepancies, since the online casinos regulation is managed starting from the state level. It’s the opposite of the centralized approach we see in the UK, since having multiple different set of regulations is the perfect definition for a decentralized system.
What does this mean? Traveling from Las Vegas to Utah for gambling purposes is a dangerous thing to do, considering that Utah has completely banned gambling. In the US, you have to check the gambling regulations for each state you go to. Trying to wager where this action is not permitted might get you in trouble.
This complex environment makes it hard for operators to obtain various licenses since they need one for each state they wish to operate in.
If their state forbids gambling, the only back-up solution players have would be to opt for free games only. SlotsCalendar is doing a great job providing this type of service, but it is also filtering good gambling services from the bad ones, in order to help the US gamblers community satisfy their passion.
While US citizens might have a clue about their state’s gambling regulatory status, tourists or foreigners are the ones that are mostly impacted by this variety.
Age Restriction
US – Because of its decentralized regulatory system, the minimum age for gambling might vary from one state to another. The minimum age goes from 18 or 21, depending on the state and whether the gambling activity is land-based or online.
UK – Most gambling activities will require any individual to demonstrate that they are at least 18 years of age.
How Regulations Impact Cultural Attitudes
British people see gambling as a leisure activity, and a good time to socialize and relax. This behavior is even part of their sports culture since there are a lot of soccer enthusiasts who love to spice their passion up with betting on sports events.
On the other hand, you’ll find different types of cultural approaches toward gambling depending on what state you are from. Some of them consider gambling to be a good solution to having a good time, while others prohibit it based on moral or religious grounds.
Earnings Taxation
US
Each region has some straightforward regulations regarding taxation. In the United States, the IRS(Internal Revenue Service) requires any individual to report their winnings on their tax returns, forcing them to pay for their winnings. The tax percentage may vary from state to state or depending on the individual’s overall income.
In some states, people are even able to deduct gambling losses, but not surpass the amount of their winnings.
UK
This is the main reason why British people are so in love with gambling and probably why UKGC applies such stringent regulations. Any form of gambling winnings is tax-free in the UK. No matter what game you play, in what type of casino, or how much you win every year, you do not have to pay any tax.
Final Words
Even if the UK and the US have different approaches regarding their way of regulating gambling, we are more inclined to choose the UK way, and here is why:
UK – Stringent regulations with a more centralized approach, focused on player safety with 0 taxes. In the UK, operators must endure all the harsh conditions.
US – Freedom for states to apply their own regulatory frameworks, which leads to confusion, with operators having to opt for multiple licenses, where players pay taxes. Also, we have to mention that the United States offers a better physical casino experience and is probably the most authentic.
You be the judge. Where would you go for some real casino experience?