DCMS launched consultation on the regulatory future of remote gambling in UK

The plans, which are subject to a 12 week consultation period, would mean that online operators currently licensed outside Britain will have to apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission if they want to advertise or provide their gambling services to British consumers. Closing date for responses to the consultation is Friday 18 June 2010.

In April 2009 the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, asked officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, working with the Gambling Commission, to look in detail at aspects of the system of remote gambling regulation in Britain, including the existing regulatory controls that apply to operators licensed overseas as well as mechanisms to secure fair contributions from all towards research, education and treatment for problem gambling in the UK and the Horserace Betting Levy.

Following that exercise, last 7 January, the Minister announced that the Department would consult on the feasibility of extending the existing licensing system for remote gambling to overseas-based operators that offer services to or advertise in the UK.

This consultation document sets out the Department’s key findings and seeks your views on our proposals for change to address the concerns we have identified. A separate, consultation stage, Impact Assessment has also been prepared.

Any comments or queries about this consultation may be sent to: [email protected] , or by post, to: Gambling Team Sport and Leisure Directorate, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH.