About gambling software
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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