DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (066/09) issued by COI News
Distribution Service on 30 April 2009
Creating a more
level playing field to compete with overseas rivals
Overseas based gambling operators who advertise in the UK may
face new requirements, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced today.
In response to rapid technological advances in online gambling,
as well as the changing international regulatory landscape, the
Government is to explore ways to make the system fairer to ensure
a more level playing field between British businesses and their
overseas counterparts.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, working with the
Gambling Commission, will look at a number of issues, including
securing fair contributions from overseas licensed operators
towards the costs of regulation, the treatment of problem gambling
and the Horserace Betting Levy. The Department will also look at
the existing controls that apply to operators licensed overseas to
ensure the rigorous consumer protections introduced by the
Gambling Act continue to be upheld.
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said:
"Technology has evolved at an incredible pace and online
gambling has changed significantly since the Gambling Act was
passed. Now is the right time to take stock of developments in
Europe and elsewhere to make sure our regulatory system is as fair
and robust as possible for all operators able to advertise their
services in the UK.
"It is early days so I do not want to pre-empt the outcome
of this work - but getting a fairer deal for UK operators and
ensuring continued consumer protection are my top priorities."
The Department will consult a range of experts, including the
remote gambling industry, and will report findings to Parliament
before the end of 2009.
Notes to editors
1. More information on the system by which jurisdictions outside
of the European Economic Area can be considered for inclusion on
the list of countries that may advertise their gambling operations
in the UK, also known as the 'whitelist,' is available
on the DCMS website.
2. The Horserace Betting Levy is an annual fee that is collected
from bookmakers and distributed to the Horserace Betting Levy
Board to fulfil its three statutory purposes. These are the
improvement of breeds of horses; advancement of veterinary science
and veterinary education; and the improvement of horseracing.
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