Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#11

Post by ashconnor » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 7:21 PM UTC

jandy wrote: post #8

ashconnor wrote: post #7

Without more information this is going to be impossible to answer.

Impossible? I'm not asking for a personalised quote here, just what options are available to UK startups. I probably clouded the water by mentioning my personal situation, but really I'm just interested in what's out there.

Ukash allow gambling and adult. Awkward but legal.

Also if your starting a gambling business then payment providers are the least of your concern. You need to be licensed by the UK gaming body - http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#12

Post by jandy » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 7:33 PM UTC

ashconnor wrote: post #11

jandy wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Impossible? I'm not asking for a personalised quote here, just what options are available to UK startups. I probably clouded the water by mentioning my personal situation, but really I'm just interested in what's out there.

Ukash allow gambling and adult. Awkward but legal. Also if your starting a gambling business then payment providers are the least of your concern. You need to be licensed by the UK gaming body - http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk .

I'm hoping to avoid e-wallet style providers, but thanks for the tip, I'll make a note of them.

And yes, licensing is a problem for another day. The UK's gambling laws are complicated and vague, especially when online businesses come into play (it all seems like an after thought, as always). I think we've got that one covered though.

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#13

Post by chris_dcosta » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 8:21 PM UTC

jandy wrote: post #9

chris_dcosta wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Could I ask what it is that you are doing that violates the terms? Just out of curiosity...

My app falls into the rather broad category of "gambling, gaming, and adult". This means all US providers (I've seen) aren't interested due to their gambling regulations, and UK providers consider it high risk.

So what do your competitors do? I know it's an obvious question... but it's probably also the answer to your problem.

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#14

Post by ashconnor » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 8:29 PM UTC

jandy wrote: post #12

ashconnor wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ukash allow gambling and adult. Awkward but legal. Also if your starting a gambling business then payment providers are the least of your concern. You need to be licensed by the UK gaming body - http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk .

I'm hoping to avoid e-wallet style providers, but thanks for the tip, I'll make a note of them. And yes, licensing is a problem for another day. The UK's gambling laws are complicated and vague, especially when online businesses come into play (it all seems like an after thought, as always). I think we've got that one covered though.

I wouldn't say the UK gaming law is vague but it is complicated.

Basically unless you're a charity you'll need to be licensed.

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#15

Post by jandy » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 8:32 PM UTC

chris_dcosta wrote: post #13

jandy wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My app falls into the rather broad category of "gambling, gaming, and adult". This means all US providers (I've seen) aren't interested due to their gambling regulations, and UK providers consider it high risk.

So what do your competitors do? I know it's an obvious question... but it's probably also the answer to your problem.

Pay more money than I'm probably willing right now... :)

Seriously though, our competitors seem to do it themselves. Which probably means PCI compliance and a merchant account, then doing all the integration themselves.

Re: Ask HN: Payment providers for UK startups?

#16

Post by jandy » Fri, Dec 09, 2011, 8:45 PM UTC

ashconnor wrote: post #14

jandy wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm hoping to avoid e-wallet style providers, but thanks for the tip, I'll make a note of them. And yes, licensing is a problem for another day. The UK's gambling laws are complicated and vague, especially when online businesses come into play (it all seems like an after thought, as always). I think we've got that one covered though.

I wouldn't say the UK gaming law is vague but it is complicated. Basically unless you're a charity you'll need to be licensed.

Not necessarily; and this is what I meant by vague (though yes, complicated is probably a better term).

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/gambling_sectors/remote...

  Do I need a licence if I am based abroad?
  
  You do not need a licence from us to run a remote gambling service if all of your
  remote gambling equipment is located outside Great Britain.
  
  If you are based abroad and want to advertise your gambling services in Great
  Britain, you must be based in a whitelisted country or a country mentioned
  in the Gambling Act 2005.

What qualifies as our "gambling equipment"? Our webservers?

That being said, it's still probably a good idea to get a license.