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30.01.2007 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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