Spokespeople from the UK government’s office of Culture, Media and Sport have confirmed news that the country will play host this year to an international summit on online gaming.

The conference will address regulation and consumer protection issues, as well as market presence. Licensed gambling firms, representatives of international governments and regulatory agencies have been invited to attend the summit which will focus on the promotion of internet gambling as a legitimate business, while addressing the need for increased consumer protection.

Another issue to be addressed at the summit is organized crime and how it can be prevented from infiltrating and adversely affecting the online gaming world. Other topics for discussion include the advertising of gambling related services and products along with the social repercussions associated with gambling addiction.

The United Kingdom has been one of the first countries in the world to legalize online gambling with its 2005 Gambling Act. Currently the government is working at regulating the online gambling operators providing services to British residents. Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, advises that although the United Kingdom has led the way in addressing the legalization issue, the country recognizes that policy-making is a global concern.

“The key reason for the 2005 Gambling Act was to regulate new forms of gambling, providing tougher protection for children and the vulnerable,” Jowell said. “But we can only go so far alone. This is a global issue that requires a global solution.”

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