New conditions under which online gambling operators will be granted licenses permitting them to operate in the United Kingdom was announced this week by the UK Gambling Commission’s chairman, Peter Dean. The new conditions are complemented by a new code of practice gambling operators must adhere to.

According to Dean, "Britain's gambling laws are undergoing wholesale reform and from September next year all operators must be licensed by the Gambling Commission. The conditions and codes set out the rules which operators must observe to meet our three licensing objectives of keeping crime out of gambling, ensuring that gambling is fair and open, and protecting children and other vulnerable people.”

Dean also went on to comment that the Commission is being given significant new legal powers by the British government in order to step up its scrutiny of the online gambling industry. It will provide consultancy services to central and local government on gambling issues and will be vociferous in rooting out underage and illegal gambling activities. Gambling operators who fail to uphold the Commission’s standards and/or operate without a license will face heavy fines and criminal prosecutions. 

The UK Gambling Commission was first developed in October 2005 to investigate ways of regulating the online gambling industry while upholding public safety issues.

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