Online Gambling Act Begins

September 13, 2007

The United Kingdom has passed the 2005 U.K. Gambling Act, and it went into effect Saturday, September 1st of this year. This new act will change the face of online gambling in the UK drastically, and is the first major change to gambling since the last one was passed in 1845.

The new act was originally passed under Tony Blair, and was intended to legalize online gambling so that it could be taxed and regulated. It was also going to work as a buffer between under agers and the online gambling community so that they would not fall prey to gambling addiction. However, the new bill does the opposite instead.

The online casinos are now more accessible than before, and online gambling organizations now have the right to advertise on television. They took out the fact that you need a membership to participate in online gambling and gave bingo clubs the right to roll over jackpots. Gambling operators must let people know where they can get help for gambling addiction.

It also puts in clear language that if you are caught cheating you will face a two year jail sentence, and tries to keep gambling crime free. There were supposed to be supercasinos as well for those areas that are struggling financially, but Gordon Brown has put that provision on hold. His office is reviewing them, but experts say that they probably will not open now.

At this point, only 14 online casinos have registered for a license, as most of them are choosing to remain offshore. They perceive Brown as being anti-gambling, and experts agree that it does seem that way.




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