Agaming control board (GCB), also called by various names includinggambling control board,casino control board,gambling board, andgaming commission, is agovernment agency charged withregulatingcasino and other types of gaming in a defined geographical area, usually a state, and of enforcinggaming law in general.
Gaming control boards are usually responsible for promulgating rules and regulations that dictate how gaming activities are to be conducted within a jurisdiction. The rules and regulations stem from the jurisdiction'senabling act. Generally, the enabling act is passed by thelegislature and sets forth the broadpolicy of the jurisdiction with regard to gaming; while the rules and regulations provide detailed requirements that must be satisfied by a gaming establishment, its owners, employees, andvendors. Typically, rules and regulations cover a broad range of activity, includinglicensing,accounting systems, rules ofcasino games, fair play, better security andauditing.
Gaming control boards also have complete authority to grant or deny licenses to gaming establishments, their ownership, employees, and vendors. Generally, in order to obtain a license, an applicant must demonstrate that they possess good character,honesty andintegrity. License application forms typically require detailed personal information. Based upon the type of license being sought, an applicant may also be required to disclose details regarding previous business relationships, employment history, criminal records, and financial stability.
Generally, thegaming license application process and subsequent investigation is quite burdensome in comparison to the process of obtaining other government-issued licenses. The difficulty of the process is intended to dissuade participation by unsavory people andorganized crime.
Recently, in order to simplify the application process, various gaming control boards have collaborated on the design of "multi-jurisdictional" application forms. Persons or vendors who are involved in gaming in multiple jurisdictions may now complete one application form and submit copies to each jurisdiction.
In some cases, Gaming Control Boards are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations that they create. In other cases, a separate body or a division of the Gaming Control Board carries out the enforcement function. Most Gaming Control Boards have full authority to hear and decidecivil cases brought before them by the enforcement body and thus are consideredquasi-judicial bodies.
InCanada, gambling is regulated exclusively by the provinces rather than federal law. But there is also the National Trade Association of Canada - The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA). This works to advance the development of Canada's gaming industry. The association’s mandate is to promote the economic value of games in Canada; Use research, innovation and best practices t.[1][2] Regulatory agencies include:
In theUnited States, gambling is legal underfederal law, although there are significant restrictions pertaining to interstate andonline gambling.
Individual states have the right to regulate or prohibit the practice within their borders. Regulatory agencies include:
In the United States, someNative American tribal nations have established their own gaming control boards for the purpose of regulatingtribe-owned casinos located withinreservations. Although the tribal nation also owns the casino, appointing an independent gaming control board to oversee regulatory activities provides tribal members with assurances that the casino is operated within expected standards and that tribal revenue is accurately collected and reported. Native American casinos are subject to the provisions of theIndian Gaming Regulatory Act, which is enforced by theNational Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). The NIGC establishes minimum internal control standards and other requirements that each Native American gaming control board must follow. However, the NIGC does not have jurisdiction over state-regulated entities.
The Gambling Commission is an executive, non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government, responsible for regulating gambling and overseeing gambling legislation in the UK. Its powers extend to gaming machines, totalizators, bingo, casinos, slot machines, and lotteries, as well as remote gambling, but not spread betting. Free prize competitions and sweepstakes are not subject to the Commission's control under theGambling Act 2005.[4]
The Commission's stated objectives are to prevent crime in gambling and protect the vulnerable. It issues licenses to operators and advises the government on gambling-related matters. It also collaborates with the police regarding suspected illegal gambling activities. The Commission replaced the United Kingdom Gambling Board in 2007. In 2013, it took on responsibility for regulating theNational Lottery.
Online gambling (also known as iGaming or iGambling) is any form of gambling conducted over the Internet.[5][6] This includes virtual poker, casinos, and sports betting. Today, by various estimates, this market's volume amounts to about 40 billion dollars annually.[7] The online gambling sector has undergone radical changes over the past two decades. This is a natural result of growing demand for convenience, security, and accessibility in gambling. Online casinos offer players a unique opportunity to play from anywhere in the world, at any time, and on any device — from smartphones to PCs. But behind the apparent simplicity of the virtual gaming world lies a powerful legal and technological foundation.[8]
In many countries, online gambling is restricted or prohibited. However, it is legal in some US states, certain Canadian provinces, most European Union countries, and several Caribbean countries. In many legal markets, online gambling service providers are required by law to hold a specific type of license to provide services or advertise to residents. Examples of such authorities include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in the USA. Many online casinos and gambling companies worldwide prefer to be based in tax havens close to their primary markets.[9] Such locations include Gibraltar, Malta, and Alderney in Europe. In Asia, online gambling is legal in the Philippines, where the regulatory body is the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR, while the Macau Special Administrative Region was long considered a tax haven and a well-known base for gambling operators in the region.[10][11] However, in 2018, the EU removed Macau from its blacklist of tax havens.[12][13][14][15]