Gambling sectors

About gambling software


 

What is gambling software?

Gambling software is defined by the Gambling Act 2005 as computer software that is used in connection with  remote gambling (including online gambling) but does not include anything for use solely in connection with a gaming machine.

The Gambling Commission considers any software which is designed for use in connection with remote gambling (including online gambling), that is intended to be used or is used by a gambling operator, to be gambling software. That includes any gambling-specific application, such as software used in:

  • virtual event webpages
  • virtual event control
  • bet capture / matching
  • settlement
  • random number generation
  • gambling records, showing detailed results of games.

We do not licence suppliers of software which is widely used by non-gambling businesses as well as gambling businesses - such as general infrastructure or business applications.  For example, we do not intend to license companies that supply or install general Microsoft, Oracle or Apple applications.

If you are unsure whether the software you are manufacturing, supplying, installing, or adapting is gambling software, you should take legal advice to help make the assessment.

Technical standards

All gambling software (eg a slots game) must meet the Gambling Commission’s remote gambling and software technical standards if it is made available to customers via for example, an online casino in reliance on a Gambling Commission operating licence.  The gambling software must be tested in accordance with the testing strategy prior to the game being made available for use.

However, if the gambling software (eg a slots game) is only ever supplied to operators licensed in other jurisdicitons it does not need to comply with the Commission’s remote gambling and software technical standards.Instead it must meet the technical and testing requirements of the jurisdiction it will be made available to players from.

Page last reviewed: May 2013

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