The UK government has unveiled plans for new licensing requirements for overseas-based online gambling firms targeting customers in Britain.
The proposals would mean that operators who currently have licences outside the UK will be required to apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission if they wish to offer services to British customers or advertise their products.
Online gambling firms will also be obliged to share any information about suspicious betting patterns with sporting governing bodies in the UK as well as the commission. The government said that it intends to keep the approved white list of countries whose operators are able to advertise in the UK at least in some form, as this will remain part of the future regulatory framework.
“Online gambling has changed significantly in recent years with many European countries taking new approaches to regulation,” said Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe. “It would be wrong of us to stand still where things are changing around us - especially where the protection of British consumers may be at stake.
“The new system outlined recently will also ensure that all businesses offering online gambling to our consumers adhere to our rules - not someone else’s.”
