Do I need a gambling licence?

[commadus]

I have an idea to develop an app for Android and Iphone. Part of the game will involve where friends can bet against each other in a binary bet - just 2 people both know each other - small amounts circa £1. They purchase tokens within the app and then use the tokens within the game.

Now I am unsure whether this would require me to get a gambling licence? As I am not making the market or offering odds. Also if the app backend is hosted abroad or on a distributed network would that have any signifcance?

 

[Lisa Thomas]

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.u.../Do-I-need-a-licence/Do-I-need-a-licence.aspx

 

[thelegalstop]

Regardless of where you are based in the world, or even on a distributed network, you need a licence, as you'll be providing a platform for gambling to customers in Great Britain. The link above is actually very helpful, so I would recommend reading that!

 

[Mr D]

I have an idea to develop an app for Android and Iphone. Part of the game will involve where friends can bet against each other in a binary bet - just 2 people both know each other - small amounts circa £1. They purchase tokens within the app and then use the tokens within the game.

Now I am unsure whether this would require me to get a gambling licence? As I am not making the market or offering odds. Also if the app backend is hosted abroad or on a distributed network would that have any signifcance?

Why would the friends not simply bet each other without the app?

No need for purchase of tokens.