The gambling commission regulates all gambling in the United Kingdom, under the 2005 Gambling Act. This act was introduced to protect children and vulnerable adults, as well as bring online betting within regulations.
All online bookmakers must be licenced and registered with the correct authority, to ensure they are operating within the laws.
Legit betting operators will carry a message on their website, which can usually be found at the bottom of every page but at least on the home page, which will tell the customer the site is registered and legally allowed to operate.
It will have the address where the company is registered, with which gambling commissions the operator is registered with, and a licence number.
If this information cannot be found on a betting site, do not use it. It is likely this operator is not registered and that the rules for providing gambling services do not cover them. You will likely be ripped off and end up out of pocket, even if you place a winning bet.
Always check for the information which tells you the operator is operating legally before registering and depositing money with them.
Bookmakers in the UK must also promote responsible gambling and be affiliated with agencies which promote and regulate this practice. One such agency is GambleAware, who provide free help, advice, and support to those who feel they may have a gambling problem.
Again, the operator’s affiliation with such an agency will be shown on their website. You should also find links and text on the site promoting responsible gambling.
If you have any doubts about the authenticity, or legality of a betting website, leave the site without registering or submitting personal details