The way we bet on sports is always changing.  It’s never been more convenient for punters just to load up a sportsbook or two and to set up a betting slip or two.  However, recent changes to UK law mean that things might not be so easy for some UK betters in future.  As stated on www.bestcasinosites.net, the changes in question relate to ID and age verification.  But how has this changed football for good this year?

Extra Checks for All Punters

The UK Gambling Commission, which oversees all online casino and betting activity in the UK, regularly checks its laws and regulations.  As of May this year, the body chose to tighten up age checks on anyone looking to bet online in the UK.  It was a popular move with many for helping to keep children safe from gambling online.  However, the changes will mean that there are knock-on effects for all age-verified players, too, who experience betting as being much more straightforward.
Football punters now need to confirm their age and ID whenever they sign up or log in at a betting site or casino.  While only a handful of sites used to carry out stringent age checks, this now means punters will need to offer up specific documents. That’s if and when requested, to be able to carry on betting.

How Have the Laws Changed Football?

Ultimately, the new laws mean that some football betters may be put off gambling online.  The result being, anyone new to online betting will now need to dig deep for ID and to verify who they are before they can load up non-league odds.  It’s a move that has its fans.  However, for many people, it seems to be slowing things down to a crawl.
The knock-on effect for football betting may be that fewer people register online than before.  While this will ultimately mean that only verified accounts set up at sportsbooks, it means some people may prefer just to bet on the high street.  It could really turn the industry around.  While online betting was sapping plenty of interest from high street bookies before, the tables are turning.
But what about those of us who are already betting online?  How will these changes affect our bets on National League football moving forward?

Business as Not-So-Usual

While it may seem that only new betters look to be affected by these changes, existing betters will also need to offer documents.  Therefore, even if you already have an account, you’ll still need to confirm your ID.  If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about!
These changes come into play along with a 72-hour rule.  That means anyone who registers at a site will need to confirm ID within 72 hours of doing so.  Otherwise, their account will freeze until ID is verifiable.  It’s a good system for preventing younger users from gambling when they shouldn’t.
However, the knock-on effect for football fans is pretty apparent.  Not everyone has access to specific documents!  What’s more, it may mean that some users need to wait for some time before they can produce such ID.  Making the system retroactive could irritate more than a few football punters.

The Greater Good

However, in defence of the new laws, it is all taking place in the name of the greater good.  The UK Gambling Commission is clamping down on ‘Gambling Harms’.  New checks will verify age, residence, and whether or not you are using legal funds to bet with.  That means anyone likely to be running a racket online will be sent away.
For most betters, these changes shouldn’t pose much of an issue.  It will mean that certain bonuses and deals, too, are withheld until ID processes.  Many people who register with casinos elsewhere may have come across similar rules before.  However, it is the first time that such rules apply to online betting.
It is all in the name of ensuring gambling remains legal and above board. The UKGC is in place for a reason.

What Will Football Punters Do?

Anyone who enjoys football betting online may now rethink their hobbies a little.  Not only will the laws filter out criminal users, but they could also filter out those who don’t have ID.  It might even push those who don’t feel comfortable with checks to go elsewhere.
Could the new laws see a resurgence in high street betting?  It’s hard to say.  If you have valid ID and are using betting sites legitimately, you can rest easy and gamble as usual.