“Great Britain Embraces Online Gambling Industry”

Britain ’s Gambling Bill came into effect this year and deals with a range of issues related to both live casino gambling and online gambling. While legislation is only applicable to those gambling operators based in the United Kingdom, industry experts and social groups alike have praised the Gambling Bill’s fairness when it comes to tackling controversial gambling issues.

Topics addressed by the new legislation include plans to establish a new Gaming Commission, the legality of gambling contracts, advertising, and private gambling and betting. Of particular interest to social groups is the way in which the Gambling Bill addresses issues concerning the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. Many groups have felt that the traditional attitude of online gaming sites has been lax in dealing with gambling addiction and underage gambling, and many of these imbalances will be set right by legislation. Child protection services are especially supportive of the bill and its implementation.

The various advantages the Gambling Bill brings with it are the incentives offered to overseas operators and also to British gambling operators previously based offshore. Previously companies such as Ladbrokes and William Hill had been forced to do business outside the United Kingdom. The new legislation opens the door for UK companies to return and in doing so, to win more customers. The potential growth caused by regulating the industry is yet to be known, but analysts have high hopes that economically, the legislation will prove fruitful for the country.

Among the perks offered to online gambling operators under the Gambling Act is the opportunity to list publicly on the London Stock Exchange. Indeed a number of online poker companies have recently done so with huge success.

All of this means American gambling enthusiasts looking to the United Kingdom can take heart from the Gambling Bill’s implementation so far. Given the expected benefits of regulation, some predict the United States will be soon be re-examining anti-gambling legislation sooner rather than later.