UK Gambling Commission passes first applicants

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BRISK BUSINESS FOR UK GAMBLING COMMISSION

29 applications clear first hurdle, but no mention of remote gaming

With operations due to commence in the third quarter of next year to give life to Britain's liberalised gambling reforms, the Gambling Commission has clearly been kept busy checking out the initial batch of licence applicants, reporting this week that 29 companies had been successful in clearing the first hurdles in a thorough and probing process.

Casino operators now face the second test for their applications - gaining approval from local authorities, which will often refuse a licence if it is proved that there is no local demand.

Reuters reports that the applications constitute around half of those submitted, the remainder still being in the initial process. Whether any of the applicants were from Internet gaming companies was not clear.

The rush came ahead of new legislation to open up and regulate the gambling industry from 2007, which will initially limit the number of future new casinos to 17, including one Las Vegas-style supercasino.