ONLINE GAMBLING ADS IN THE
UK MAY BE RESTRICTED COME SEPTEMBER
Would be advertisers will have to register
and apply to UK authorities
Online gambling companies based outside Europe and Gibraltar will
have to apply to the government if they want to advertise their
products in the UK when the activity is legalised on September 1,
reports the Financial Times.
Quoting Tessa Jowell, culture secretary in the British Cabinet,
the newspaper said a ban on websites run by companies with poor
regulation would protect online gamblers from crime and exploitation.
The announcement was made as the government-appointed Casino Advisory
Panel prepares this week to announce its recommendation for the
siting of the UK's first super-casino.
Ms Jowell is to lay out the timetable and procedure for the government
to respond to the recommendation, leading to a vote of MPs.
The legalisation of online gambling and deregulation of casinos
are part of a series of measures voted through under the 2005 Gambling
Act that updates gambling laws. The Gambling Act relaxes advertising
rules for UK bookmakers and casino operators, but gaming websites
based outside the European Economic Area and Gibraltar and wishing
to advertise will have to prove their licensing regimes protect
children, deter crime and ensure gambling is fair.
Ms Jowell has stressed the importance of ensuring deregulation is
accompanied by help for problem gamblers and protection of minors.
She is pressing online gambling companies to help fund counselling
for addicts.
The Responsibility in Gambling Trust has admitted voluntary contributions
from the industry are short of the £3 million a year agreed
with ministers that is needed to support problem gamblers.
Now Ms Jowell has instructed officials to set in motion procedures
that would force companies to contribute a levy to the trust.
John Greenway, Conservative MP and chairman of the Trust, said:
"The main problem is that we are dependent on people making
a voluntary contribution. There is some concern [from online gambling
companies] about the costs of implementing the Gambling Act."
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