The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association is a trade association and gaming licensor based in Gibraltar. It is one of the strictest authorities in the world of gambling and one of the most respected ones. The GBGA has been formed to serve as the industry’s voice in dealing with international organizations and betting regulators. It is responsible for representing almost all Gibraltar-based online and land-based betting and gaming operators. The GBGA also performs licensing duties and oversees regulatory matters.
Gibraltar is the only UK overseas territory that is a part of the European Union and a part of the European Economic Area. As such, it is also acknowledged in the UK Gambling Act of 2005 as a valid gambling jurisdiction. If you are a keen betting enthusiast, you will know that the GBGA is a popular name that is tied to some of the most prominent betting websites in the industry. Since its inception more than a decade ago, the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association has centered around several key points. They include secure, fair and competitive offering and a high-quality standard for all customers.
Although it is not as reputable as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Betting, and Gaming Association is still amongst the most respected online betting authorities. All GBGA applicants must pass rigorous testing and screening processes. The license is generally very hard to obtain, and not all applicants manage to meet the requirements. For starters, the GBGA doesn’t even consider a bookie, if it doesn’t run a profitable and reputable sportsbook operation. Only proven companies with a strong track record and a stable financial position are considered. If the bookmaker manages to pass the first part of the screening process, they must agree on GBGA’s strict guidelines and policies. These include regular privacy controls, financial transparency, implementation of anti-money laundering policies and other general policies of conduct.
If you need any reassurance about the value of the GBGA, you just need to take a glance at the list of GBGA licensed online bookmakers. It’s a relatively short one and includes names like William Hill, Betfair, and Bet365. It’s safe to say that if an online bookmaker is licensed by the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association, it is a safe and reputable betting platform.
The GBGA maintains effective control through several different means. It regularly checks up on and controls managing licenses of its members. All of the licensed online bookmakers are bound by Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association’s code of practice. The Gambling Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that Gibraltar licensed online bookmakers are operating in accordance with the code of practice at all times. Licensed bookies are also required to adhere to a number of different advertising and tax guidelines, but more on that in the next section.
The Gibraltar Gaming Act of 2005 is the main and principal legislative for regulating all gambling and betting activities in Gibraltar. It's worth noting that this act is partly modeled on the UK Gambling Act of 2005. The act defines betting, gaming, and bookmaking and introduces specific sets of laws for each of the terms. All GBGA licensed online bookmakers must abide by the Gambling Act of 2005 and follow the applicable legal and regulatory policies.
The taxation of companies in Gibraltar is governed by the Income Tax Act. The current act is much stricter compared to the previous act, which allowed certain companies to be exempt from paying income taxes. The new corporate tax system was introduced in January 2010 and brought new tax rates, as well as a new set of rules. The tax policy mitigates a 10 percent headline rate, although this is subject to change under specific circumstances. The minimum annual tax is 85,000 Euros, while the maximum is capped at 425,000 Euros. Each year during license removal, providers must present all of their tax receipts and financial transactions to the GBGA.
Unlike GBGA’s policy for land-based casinos and sportsbooks, the remote betting and gaming rules are quite permissive. There are no general or specific restrictions for offshore foreign companies who want to provide bookmaker services to the citizens of the GBGA jurisdiction. Any licensed online bookmaker that wants to expand its offer to provide land-based betting services, would need to obtain a number of different local licenses.
Websites that choose to advertise their products must abide by the advertisement requirements of the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association. All forms of marketing, including featured markets, promotions and bonuses, must provide accurate details and clear terms and conditions.
When you open the GBGA Contact Us page on their website, you will see a contact form you can submit directly to them. However, note that the GBA cannot assist you with any issues you may have with their licensed operators. To resolve complaints regarding your licensed bookie, you have to contact the relevant operator itself. The GBGA cannot help you with them when it comes to the T&C’s you accept with the provider. Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association’s main purpose towards bettors is to assist them in deciding on how to make and pursue complaints they have in respect of a GBGA licensed online bookie.
On the official website of the GBGA, you can submit a form to the commissioner. To submit your complaint, you need to:
When you submit a complaint, all that’s left for you to do, is wait. As previously mentioned, the GBGA doesn’t help you resolve the dispute with the bookie. What this jurisdiction can do, is investigate and determine if their licensed online bookmaker has breached any of the terms of the Gambling Act of 2005. If this happens to be the case, the bookie's license will be revoked and you will get reparations for the damages you’ve suffered. If not, your complaint will be dismissed. Of course, the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association is a prestigious organization to be a part of, and no licensed online bookmaker will risk their certification for a couple of dollars. Make sure you read all of the T&C’s and determine if you have a valid case against the bookie before submitting a complaint.
The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association doesn’t play around. Their reputation precedes them as a tight grip licensor who enjoys a deep trust from the public. Obtaining a license from the GBGA is a hard task to do, but sportsbooks that managed to get licensed by the GBGA are held in high regard. Here are the top three Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association licensed online bookies.
William Hill is one of the oldest online casinos, and one of the most well-known bookies in the UK. They are fully licensed to operate in the UK and are one of the most popular choices in the country. William Hill offers a complete package, with live betting, live streaming, as well as advanced games stats and statistics.
They have one of the biggest selections of betting markets currently available online. With many different bets per event available, William Hill is a perfect choice for bettors who like to bet on a variety of sports but don’t want the hassle of having multiple bookies.
Betfair has always been regarded as one of the biggest innovators in the world of online betting. They are one of the most recognizable brands in online betting, with a strong product and a heavy presence in the UK. Betfair’s around the clock customer support, and many extras and features, make them a go-to bookie for many players, not only in the UK but around the globe.
Cash out options, a huge range of transaction methods, live streaming and a great variety of betting markets are just some of the many things Betfair customers can count on. Overall, Betfair is a top performer in the world of online betting. With great odds and a betting exchange that gives you excellent control over your bets, it is a high-quality product that offers a lot of value to its users.
Bet365 is considered to be one of the best bookmakers in the UK and Europe. They offer fantastic value odds across all sports featured in their sportsbook. Bet365 runs a multi-featured cash out option. In addition, there are a lot of payment methods, making deposits and withdrawals quick and hassle-free.
The best part about Bet365 is probably the rich features included in their offer. Their live in-play betting service is of extremely high-quality, especially when it comes to football betting. Although there are better-looking websites than Bet365, their basic and very fluid website gets the job done perfectly.
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Trustworthy and reliable |
Can't really intervene in provider-user disputes |
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Punters are well protected by strict laws |
Remote gambling policy significantly differs from the land-based one |
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Major online sportsbooks hold GBGA licenses |
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Operates in the UK with a full license |
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Sports betting is completely legal in Gibraltar, as are almost all other forms of betting and gambling. In fact, betting is a major aspect of Gibraltar’s economy. Over 10% of the total population are employed in the internet betting and gambling industry.
Any pundit who placed a bet at a GBGA licensed online bookie can direct their complaints directly to the GBGA and the Commissioner. The GBGA has a complaint system available directly on their website. To make a complaint, follow the complaints procedure listed on the official GBGA website.
The Gibraltar Betting and Gambling Association is a prominent voice in the world of online betting. To be a GBGA licensed online bookmaker is advantageous to the company, as it establishes its reputation as a trustworthy and bettor-friendly website. Although the GBGA license is not necessary to run an online betting website, it greatly improves the reputation and stature of every company that manages to obtain it.
