BRIT GAMBLING POLICY DESCRIBED AS 'SHAMBOLIC'

31 August 2007

Politicians critical of British handling of regulatory reform


The apparently tougher approach to gambling reform taken by the new Labour cabinet headed by recently appointed prime minister Gordon Brown came in for criticism from Gibraltar this week. The tiny principality in southern Spain has become an important regulatory jurisdiction for many large UK companies and is taking a keen interest in developments as the September 1 launch date for the new gambling dispensation in Britain approaches.

News site Gibfocus.gi reported that the Conservative Party MP for Gibraltar, Neil Parish said that it is the UK government's inconsistent gambling policy that deserves criticism and not Gibraltar's licensing regime. "The Conservative Party wants to ensure gambling regulation in the UK is consistent while providing protection for minors. The British government's gambling policy is at fault here, not Gibraltar's licensing regime," he said.

"Gambling is a hugely important industry for Gibraltar and we support its vital role in the expansion of responsible gambling," he added.

Jeremy Hunt, Conservative MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said: “The issue is not with Gibraltar. We are frustrated with UK Government claims that they want to protect the public when their shambolic handling of the Gambling Act means that this is simply not the case.”

Opposition politicians are up in arms following an apparent policy reversal by the cabinet on the location of the land supercasino in the UK, and the recent publication of an advertising white paper by DCMS naming "acceptable" licensing jurisdictions where companies would be permitted to advertise gambling services in the UK. Located in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar and Malta are acceptable jurisdictions.

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