Royal Assent for UK Gambling Bill

Royal Assent for UK Gambling Bill

Saturday, 17 May 2014

Changes are on the way for online operators in the UK now that the new Gambling Bill has received Royal Assent.

Operators based overseas wanting to offer their services to customers in the UK will now have to have a Gambling Commission licence. A 15% tax on profits made from UK-based customers will also be levied.

In addition, overseas based operators will have to contribute to research, education and treatment in relation to British problem gambling. They will also be duty bound to inform UK authorities about suspicious sports betting.

“This Act marks a significant step in increasing protection to consumers based in Great Britain, by ensuring that all remote gambling operators will be subject to robust and consistent regulation,” said Helen Grant, Minister for Sport. “This includes a requirement for operators to support action against illegal activity and corruption in sport, and to comply with licence conditions that protect children and vulnerable adults.”

Chairman of the Gambling Commission, Philip Graf added “This is a welcome step forward - bringing the 85% of the remote gambling market currently regulated overseas within the Commission’s remit will provide us with direct access to and oversight of all commercial gambling provided to those in Britain. This means that we will be far better placed to protect players and to respond to and advise the government on emerging player protection and consumer risks and issues.”

The new laws take effect in December.



Tags: Regulation, laws