Queen's speech: all gambling companies will need UK licence

Online gambling firms will be required to hold a licence in Britain in order to advertise and sell their games to British customers under new laws.

The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill aims to give customers more protection when using online poker and other websites operated by companies based offshore.

Gambling operators based in Britain are already required to hold a Gambling Commission licence but overseas firms are currently regulated in the jurisdiction in which they are based.

Under the Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, all operators selling or advertising to the British market - whether from here or abroad - will have to hold a licence.

Ministers believe the Bill will increase protection for UK consumers as all remote gambling operators will be subject to "robust and consistent regulation" and be required to support action against illegal activity and corruption in sport.

This would mean that, for the first time, operators based overseas would have to inform the Gambling Commission about suspicious betting patterns involving British customers.

Operators will also have to contribute to research, education and treatment in relation to British problem gambling and comply with licence conditions that protect children and vulnerable adults.

The Bill will also "level the regulatory field" for all operators, allowing those based in Britain "to compete on an equal footing".

The Queen's Speech: full coverage


By Tim Ross, Political Correspondent

Original source: The Telegraph