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How do US and UK online casinos differ?
Online casinos are popular in both the United Kingdom and the United States. While they generally work in the same way, there are some significant differences between them which we’ve decided to take a look at here.
What’s Different?
The main difference between UK online casinos and those in the US are regulatory bodies. In the UK, all online casinos must possess a valid license from the UK Gambling Gambling, the United Kingdom’s main regulatory body for all things gambling. According to SmartphoneCasinos.co.uk, a popular casino review site in Great Britain, obtaining such a license has become incredibly difficult, and operators need to prove their eligibility to provide a safe and fair gambling experience in more than one aspect of their operations. Meanwhile, in the United States, this is a little more complicated as it will depend on each individual state, most of which have their own regulatory bodies which determine various factors at the online casino.
The game selection is also very different between American and British online casinos. In the UK, games at online casinos are usually provided by some of the big-name developers like Microgaming, NetEnt, Playson, Big Time Gaming, Playtech, Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Wazdan, and so many others. The games at US casinos, however, are all developed by independent studios. Yet, some popular UK developers have begun offering their games to US casino sites which have helped diversify the US offering.
Promotions and bonuses between those in the US and UK work differently too. You’ll find that US online casinos tend to offer bigger promotions and bonuses than the bonuses found at UK websites. Both have terms and conditions that you must follow, but the UK casino promotions are generally much more restrictive than those in the US.
Finally, it’s important to point out that the most successful online casinos in the UK are owned by big-name brands like BGO, Aspire Global, 888 Holdings, Genesis Global, and so many others. In the US, however, most sites are independent, making them much more unique than those in the UK.
What’s Similar?
Despite their differences, US and UK online casinos work very similarly. You both have to register and create an account to play at an online casino, and you’ll have to make deposits using approved payment options.
UK and US online casinos all tend to offer similar games too including video slots, jackpots and classic table games. However, the variety of games available will depend entirely on the individual online casino. Since UK online casinos tend to have more game developers, UK casino sites may likely offer more games than their US counterparts.
Both UK and US online casinos must follow strict rules and regulations. Casinos in the UK must follow the rules set out by the UK Gambling Commission which involve age limitations on those who can be added to VIP schemes, limitations on promotions including how many times the bonuses must be wagered and whether or not there are win caps.
Meanwhile, gambling in the United States is incredibly restricted due to tight regulation – in most US States, online gambling still hasn’t been legalised, but other gambling-related activities are completely fine. The regulation varies between the US States, but it seems that more states have begun green-lighting online gambling, so we may soon see more UK game developers and casino operators launch in the US.
Online gambling in the UK has been legal for a very long time, but in the US, it’s still growing and changing. There are plenty of differences between online casinos in the two countries but they both mainly offer customers a chance to play great games and maybe make some wins too.
Compliance Updates
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Takes Action Against Illegal Sportsbook
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council through its executive director issued $50,000 in fines to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Tennessee.
Bovada failed to comply with cease and desist letters delivered to addresses in Curaçao, and Council investigators placed wagers through Bovada’s platform on three separate occasions, including as recently as October 16, 2024.
The Sports Gaming Act authorizes the Council to impose a $10,000 fine for the first offense of accepting wagers without a license, which rises to $15,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third offense. Subsequent offenses may lead to the imposition of a $25,000 fine for each occurrence, an occurrence being a single wager accepted in Tennessee.
In the cease and desist letters, the Council ordered Bovada to allow all Tennessee users to withdraw any funds currently held by the unlicensed sportsbook.
“The Sports Wagering Council recommends that Tennessee users of Bovada withdraw their funds immediately. Our primary role is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee sports bettors need to know that just because they can access a sports betting website or app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is licensed to do business here,” Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, said.
Legal sportsbook operators provide important bettor protections not found in the illegal market. If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.
The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks such as Bovada and others.
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the US, with more than $4.7 billion wagered in Tennessee last fiscal year through online sportsbooks licensed by the Council.
Gambling in the USA
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.
“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.
Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.
“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.
Latest News
Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market
On November 6, the iGaming industry in Mexico is preparing for a key event in which the benefits and challenges that regulation has brought to the Mexican market will be discussed. Under the title “Benefits of Regulation in the Mexican Market”, this panel will offer an in-depth look at the impact of regulation on transparency, competition and consumer protection, critical issues in the new digital era of iGaming.
The event, moderated by Geraldine Alexandra García Torres, Media Manager of Digital Gaming News, will feature the participation of recognized figures in the sector such as Daniel Magariños, representative of BMM Testlabs, and Hermilo Peregrina Cabrera of Prometeo IT Solutions. Both panelists will contribute their extensive knowledge and experience in regulation and certification in the Mexican market, and will analyze with the public the challenges and opportunities that companies face in an increasingly competitive and regulated context.
BMM Testlabs, who will participate as a Gold Sponsor, underlines with its sponsorship the importance of regulation to strengthen the iGaming sector in Mexico and demonstrates its commitment to progress and transparency in the Mexican market. For its part, Kushki joins as a Silver Sponsor, promoting the dialogue and analysis necessary for the industry.
Daniel Magariños, from BMM Testlabs, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in this digital webinar: “It has been a pleasure to be able to share our comments as a Laboratory on a market like the Mexican one and exchange opinions with a reference like Hermilo and the company Prometeo IT Solutions, with its excellent track record in this market. A relaxed talk with a lot of learning that I hope will be interesting for the attendees.”
For his part, Hermilo Peregrina, from Prometeo IT Solutions, highlighted the relevance of these spaces for dialogue: “Thank you to Conferencias iGaming for the invitation to participate in this panel. Thanks to Geraldine for coordinating us, and it was a pleasure to share ideas and opinions with my friend Daniel from BMM Testlabs, who has extensive experience in international regulations and certifications.”
Sponsor Support
The panel has the support of important sponsors who recognize the relevance of regulation in the development of the iGaming market in Mexico. Among them, BMM Testlabs as Gold Sponsor, and Kushki as Silver Sponsor.
Event Details:
Date: November 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Mexico)
Registration: Register here
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this essential conversation for the future of the industry. Secure your place and access a key analysis on the dynamic iGaming market in Mexico!
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