Gambling on the Internet, Mobile Telephones and Interactive Television
1. There are a huge variety of Internet gambling services available today. Gambling is also available through mobile telephones and interactive television. The Gambling Bill describes all these technologies as 'remote technologies'. There are no reliable figures available for the level of participation in Internet gambling, although some specialist circulars on the topic suggest that around 800,000 adults participate in remote gambling each month.
2. It is legal for British residents to participate in all forms of Internet gambling. It is also legal for betting (like betting on horseracing) to be offered using remote technologies. However, it is not possible for a company based in Great Britain to be granted a licence to offer Internet gaming (like roulette). This is because the Gaming Act 1968 requires persons participating in gaming under the Act to be present in person where the gaming is taking place.
3. The Gambling Bill provides a regulatory framework for remote gambling. Under the Bill it will possible to gain a licence to provide betting, gaming and lotteries using remote technologies. The Gambling Commission will issue these licences, and will vet applicants in the same way, as it will for non-remote applications. There will be a specific 'remote' licence, which prospective operators will be required to hold in addition to their operating licences for non-remote services.
4. Like other licences issued by the Gambling Commission, licences for remote gambling services will be subject to conditions. These conditions are likely to include requirements for measures that exclude children from Internet gambling. A number of methods are available for age verification, including checks linked to credit card arrangements and also the electoral roll. It will be the responsibility of the Gambling Commission to ensure that operators licensed by them take adequate steps in this area. The Gambling Commission will also work with interested parties to produce codes of practice on this topic, which will give operators advice on how to best exclude children.
5. When the Gambling Bill becomes law, it will remain legal for British residents to gamble with remote gambling operators based outside Great Britain.
October 2004
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