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Regulations in relation to player locations

Request

Please could you confirm the general regulations in relation to player locations? In particular, whilst the regulations may require that a bet placed with a UK-based platform is made by a player based in the UK, are there any mandatory checks with relation to using VPNs? In short, what mandatory checks exist in relation to player physical location?

Response

Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

In your email you have requested information relating to the general regulations in relation to player locations. In particular, whilst the regulations may require that a bet placed with a UK-based platform is made by a player based in the UK, are there any mandatory checks with relation to using VPNs? In short, what mandatory checks exist in relation to player physical location?

There is no specific recorded information falling within the scope of your request. However, it may be useful to note that through a combination of Gambling Commission regulations and other legislation, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Terrorism Act 2000 (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing), operators need to know where their customers are located to ensure they are acting legally and compliantly.

Further to this our requirements and guidance around identifying customers are available on the Gambling Commission website - LCCP Condition 17.1.1 - Customer identity verification.

Review of the decision

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email. 

Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.

If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission. 

It should be noted that if you wish to raise a complaint with the ICO about the Commission’s handling of your request for information, then you are required to do so within six weeks of receiving your final response or last substantive contact with us.

The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Information Management Team
Gambling Commission

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