The UK Market in the News — Weekly Round-up for March 16, 2018

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated Mar 16, 2018

Dafabet To Shutter U.K. Online Casino

Operator has already stopped accepting deposits

Isle of Man and Gambling Commission-licensed online casino operator Dafabet has advised players that effective March 8 it has ceased to accept deposits and plans to shutter the UK-facing operation by March 20 this year.

Players may withdraw positive balances until March 20, whereafter remaining player balances not claimed will be returned automatically through the registered depositing method.

Interestingly, the operator says that its sports betting operations will not be affected by the closure of the casino business. No reason is given for the decision to shutter the casino, triggering speculation that the tougher imposition of UK regulations and pro-player actions by the Competitions and Marketing Authority may be contributing factors.

Dafabet is owned by the Asian (Philippines) group AsianBGE and is principally focused on that region. It has entered into a number of seven-figure major football sponsorship deals with top UK clubs such as the English Premier League’s Burnley FC.

Gibraltar Online Gambling Access To UK Market Assured

Access guaranteed by UK government until at least 2020

Gibraltar press reports Monday are that the UK government has assured its Gibraltar counterpart that Gibraltar-licensed online gambling operators will continue to have access to the UK market until at least 2020…Brexit notwithstanding.

The two governments have reportedly agreed to develop a replacement regulatory framework in preparation for Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Media reports on the peninsula quote Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, who said:

“Great care has rightly been taken by the UK and Gibraltar to ensure regulatory standards will be maintained between us in a manner that will be designed to assure customer protection and equivalence on regulatory outcomes going forward.”

The arrangements followed an appeal by Gibraltar for a continuation of barrier-free access to the United Kingdom.

The news has generally been well-received, with observers noting that it will bring more certainty and confidence to the Gibraltar online gambling industry in the wake of often confusing Brexit developments. Over thirty major online gambliong companies, employing an estimated 5,000 people operate from Gibraltar, taking advantage of the favourable taxation regime in place there.

Broadway Gaming Rebrands Rehab Bingo To Rosy Bingo

Following UK Advertising watchdog’s ruling

Broadway Gaming has rebranded its Rehab Bingo brand to Rosy Bingo following a ruling by the UK Advertising Standards Association (ASA).

The ASA’s investigation challenged whether the name Rehab Bingo supported socially irresponsible behaviour and whether it suggested that gambling could provide an escape from personal problems, both of which were upheld.

Rehab Bingo is linked to the registered charity, the Rehab Group who launched the brand in 2005. Powered by Broadway Gaming, the company donates a percentage of the funds raised from the Rehab Bingo website to the Rehab Group.

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