UK Online Gambling LegislationIn terms of UK Online Gambling Legislation, this is still pretty much a
'gray' area. In October 2004, the Government's revised UK Gambling Bill past
its first vote, despite opposition by many MPs.
However, the opposition was mainly due to the proposed construction of a number of
'super' land casinos in the British Isles. The vote was passed with a majority
of 286 to 212.
At the time, UK secretary of culture, Tessa Jowell refused to speculate about
the actual number of 'super' casinos that would be granted licenses.
The number was later confirmed by government to be no more than 10, or one
casino per region. This came as a disappointment to many foreign gambling
concerns who were expecting over 20 licenses to be granted in the hope to break
into the lucrative UK gambling industry.
Interestingly enough, while this bill has been seen as controversial and has
been the cause for much discussion in and out of British Parliament, it makes
absolutely no mention or provision for online gambling within the UK.
What this means, in effect, is that online gambling in the UK is considered
neither legal nor illegal, but a gray area. Online gambling was largely ignored by the British
media as well as the MPs. There was, however,
mention of perhaps introducing a tax for online casinos and gambling operators
in the future.
The good news for UK online gamblers is that gambling online in the UK is not punishable by law
which it is by many other countries around the world.
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