Will The Growth In iGaming During Lockdown Result in More Gambling Restrictions Long-Term?
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The Coronavirus pandemic had positive effects on the online casino industry worldwide. People used online services for entertainment during the lockdown. People also used Zoom calls and internet streaming services to watch TV. The gambling industry stepped up to capture this new market. New Zealand is still having strict lockdown, so people use online games.
The UK is strictly regulated in terms of online casinos and land-based casinos. The regulations are monitored and changed regularly depending on how technology is evolving and how the market is responding. The National Lottery age limit was recently increased from 16 to 18. This was down to the access of National lottery tickets and scratch cards online and in shops.
Online casino use has increased over the last 18 months. UK Gambling Commission is keen to promote a responsible gambling culture. In land-based casinos and betting shops, the amount of money that could be spent on a slot machine and how quickly it could been spent was changed a couple of years ago.
Will the growth in iGaming during Lockdown result in more gambling restrictions long-term?
Gambling laws need to catch up with the ever-evolving technology behind online casinos. The Government announced in December 2020 that they would review the restrictions in place by the Gambling Commission to ensure that all gambling laws are fit for the digital age. Industry insiders are wondering whether these restrictions will be reviewed again soon due to the continued increase in online gambling revenue. Some companies have reported record numbers of transactions within the first half of 2021.
There will be more restrictions on gambling during the lockdown. Casino operators will need to make sure that the people using their services do so responsibly. Stricter ID checks are likely to come into play. Rules about how much can be bet at one time and how many games can a session be played in a single session may also come in.
