Why and How Did Gambling Become Such a Popular Pastime in the UK?

For as long as we can all remember, gambling has been a staple part of British culture, with the majority of adults in the UK partaking in some form of the activity, be this the National Lottery, slot machines, or online casino games. Recent figures have estimated that as many as 24 million people gamble through sports wagering, bingo, or online or retail casinos. But why and how did it become so ingrained? The origins of gambling in Great Britain date back hundreds of years, and have developed and innovated as time has gone on. 

The History of Gambling in the UK

Betting in the United Kingdom predates the Romans, with early versions being present amongst British people long before that time. The most primitive types of gambling involved dice being thrown for divination reasons: to predict what may happen in the future. Not long after this, many more people realised that dice could be used for entertainment purposes. With the introduction of the Romans to the UK, dice soon became only used for games and betting, rather than anything related to the divine. One such dice game that is recognisable today but was invented thousands of years ago is craps!

The first laws surrounding gambling came into action in 1190 under the rule of King Richard of England, which restricted all bets to 20 shillings. The church officially denounced the practice, brandishing it as devilish, but no attempts to quash the popularity of betting were successful. 

The Rise of Online Gambling

One of the most prominent tools available that pertains to gambling in the present day in the UK is Gamstop. Although there are many online casinos that comply with the self exclusion scheme, some sites provide a list of some that are not on Gamstop, which is a useful resource for those that do not want to impose restrictions on themselves. In essence, Gamstop enables gamblers to restrict themselves from accessing participating casino and gaming operators for either a chosen time period, or by imposing a spending limit. It can be necessary for some, but for others who do not want to take part in these measures, offshore options that do not need to work in line with Gamstop are the ideal option. 

Gamstop became an important regulation due to the rise of online gambling that has taken place, not just in the UK but all over the world. Any and all forms of online gambling are licensed by the Gambling Commission, which is a prerequisite to operating legally in Great Britain. However, offshore casinos do not have to be licensed under the Gambling Act, but are still available to be used by residents of the UK.

There are many reasons for the popularity of online gambling. First and foremost, it is possibly the most convenient and easy way to place a wager. Rather than travelling to a betting shop or casino, gamblers can bet from the comfort of their homes, on their phones or computers. In addition to this, the experience that online forms of gambling brings can rival, if not exceed, that of a retail location. The graphics are impressive, and gamers can play with other people around the country, as well as access countless different games at the touch of a button. With all of these reasons (and more), it’s easy to see how this particular form of gambling has become so commonplace.

UK Gambling Laws

Gambling, in one way or another, has always been legal in the UK, but there are some forms of the activity that were legalised more recently than others, and there are still limitations on betting. For example, the minimum age to take part in gambling is 18, with the exception of certain scratch cards, lotteries, and football pools, where the minimum age is 16.

The first retail casino to open in Great Britain was in 1961 by George Alfred Games. Not long after this, in 1968, came the Gaming Act, which relaxed existing legislation on gambling and laid the foundations for more casinos to open. The next major law passed that impacted the gambling industry in Britain was the Gambling Act of 2005. Its objective was to update rules that were perhaps outdated for the 21st century, and to put new regulations in place that would protect both gamblers and gambling operators. This Act marked the first time that online gambling was written into law, and also provided safeguarding for players.

Final Thoughts

When we look back to pre-Roman times and see that gambling was present even then, it can help to explain its place in the UK these days. Regardless of which laws came into place, gambling never lost its favour amongst the people. Instead of fading into obscurity, it evolved and modernised, from basic dice games to the advent of online casino games and fantasy football contests. 

Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Click HERE for more info.