New UK Online Gambling Laws

News that the UK government - via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport - is changing its online gambling laws is generating considerable interest from players and online casino operators. While there are many differing opinions about the new measures, the fact remains that legal online gambling is set to benefit from the proposals.

Tightening up on online gambling activity

At stake is the issue of taxing foreign online casino operators which are plying their trade in the UK market. Various points in the new legislation have been warmly welcomed by UK customers and indeed the highly profitable horse-racing industry.

The UK government is interested in protecting local enterprises by levying taxes on foreign operators. The government considers it a privilege to market an online betting business in the UK and as a result outside operators should pay for that.

As it stands, UK horse racing levies are placed on UK sports bettors while offshore operators are exempt from such taxation. It is hoped that this regulation will benefit local and offshore enterprise operating in the UK.

The challenges ahead

Implementation of the new regulation will be a daunting prospect. At stake is the issue of deciding who to tax and how to tax them. It is hoped that geographic IP targeting of online betting operators will serve as a means of locating foreign operators profiting off a UK player base. But unraveling the mysteries of Internet gaming legislation - on a global scale - is sketchy at best.

A workable solution lies in the White List of preferred offshore countries in specific licensing jurisdictions who are permitted to advertise their betting sites in the UK. If a comprehensive listing of registered operators, per country or jurisdiction, can be generated then the new policy can become viable.