Gambling commission licence for affiliates

[gillies8888]

3 of my advertising streams have flagged up asking me for a gambling licence as of November 1st 2014.

Does any affilaites have a gambling licence? Are we allowed to apply for one?

Really confused on this, and has slowed my advertising down.

any feedback or insights into this?

[LukeC]

You would only have a license if you are taking bets yourself, which you're not - there's no requirement for affiliates to be licensed and you wouldn't get a license (assuming you are acting as an affiliate rather than providing software to any operators etc). You should tell them that you are an aggregator or sports focused site rather than accepting any bets yourselves, and are only promoting UK licensed operators (if you are advertising to UK based consumers, it is illegal to advertise non UK licensed operators). The advertising sources may want you to prove that the operators you are advertising are whitelisted though, which would be more difficult.

From a quick glance at your site I don't believe BetButler are UK licensed any more.

[justbookies]

As usual Luke has it dead right, but no surprise these changes have confused companies offering advertising, it doesn't take much.

[TomPregon]

I dread the day we would have to have licenses for being an affiliate.

[Gamer]

Some countries are crazy with gambling over-regulations.
They are afraid that the whole population will sell everything and going to gamble their own lifes.
This is ridiculous.
Do you think that hard times are coming for affiliates in our niche?

[justbookies]

I dread the day we would have to have licenses for being an affiliate.

I wouldn't rule it out because it would make the gambling commission a ton of money and that is the only thing they care about.

[iGamingWriter]

The advertising sources may want you to prove that the operators you are advertising are whitelisted though, which would be more difficult.

It should be relatively straight forward to identify which vendors hold a UKGC license. From what I know it's a stipulation of the license that they state clearly on the site (usually at the bottom) as either text or the 'Gambling Commission' logo that they hold a UK license. Beyond that the source would have to contact the UKGC to confirm. If they're not up for that I think they're probably more effort than they're worth....

[justbookies]

Beyond that the source would have to contact the UKGC to confirm.

It used to be that all firms with a license were listed on the gambling commission website. I'd be surprised if that wasn't still the case.

[iGamingWriter]

It used to be that all firms with a license were listed on the gambling commission website. I'd be surprised if that wasn't still the case.

Good point - I'll have a rake and see what I can find over the weekend. If nothing I've got a contact at the UKGC that may be able to provide the link.

[TheGooner]

https://secure.gamblingcommission.go.../PRSearch.aspx

Type in the licensee name or trading name and it provides a list.

[Casinorep]

Only ones who required a gambling license from me were the New Jersey casinos...

[TomPregon]

https://secure.gamblingcommission.go.../PRSearch.aspx

Type in the licensee name or trading name and it provides a list.

That's Awesome. I went over and noticed that by not adding anything and hitting search, I got 2972 matches. The whole list I assume. Simply download it and see. Might hopefully come in handy for some.

[Casino Online Rating]

Only ones who required a gambling license from me were the New Jersey casinos...

Yup, when it comes to New Jersey, affiliates are indeed required to have a licence.

[LukeC]

It should be relatively straight forward to identify which vendors hold a UKGC license. From what I know it's a stipulation of the license that they state clearly on the site (usually at the bottom) as either text or the 'Gambling Commission' logo that they hold a UK license. Beyond that the source would have to contact the UKGC to confirm. If they're not up for that I think they're probably more effort than they're worth....

I agree that it should be simple to identify who has a UK license from the Gambling Commission website that TheGooner provided (as nothing prevents an unlicensed operator from lying about it). However I read the initial post as the advertising sources asking for copies of a license, and I have heard of advertising sources wanting copies of operator's licenses before.

[zbrochu]

Hi Gillies, any update on this issue? Have you managed to acquire license or convince ad platforms you are only agregator or you had to withdraw marketing activities there?

[gillies8888]

Working on some bits now, but will not know for a couple of weeks. It's a waiting game right now.

[Celebrationbird]

Hey!

Where does it say that it's illegal for non licensed affiliates to advertise non licensed operators to UK customers?

I guess it's illegal in the UK right?

So if neither the affiliate nor the operator, nor google is in the UK. What then?

Anyone?

[Celebrationbird]

You would only have a license if you are taking bets yourself, which you're not - there's no requirement for affiliates to be licensed and you wouldn't get a license (assuming you are acting as an affiliate rather than providing software to any operators etc). You should tell them that you are an aggregator or sports focused site rather than accepting any bets yourselves, and are only promoting UK licensed operators (if you are advertising to UK based consumers, it is illegal to advertise non UK licensed operators). The advertising sources may want you to prove that the operators you are advertising are whitelisted though, which would be more difficult.

From a quick glance at your site I don't believe BetButler are UK licensed any more.

All I find is this:

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.u...sing-codes.pdf

4 The legality of gambling advertising4.1 Gambling operators who are not licensed by the Commission will be acting illegally if theyadvertise to consumers in Great Britain or provide them with remote gambling facilities. Ifillegal advertising occurs, the Commission will take action and may seek to prosecute. 1