After years of speculation and meticulous planning, the Gambling Act that came into effect in the United Kingdom earlier this year was seen as a major milestone in the country’s gambling industry.

For the first time, the entire market, including online casino and poker rooms, was regulated by one umbrella organization – the UK Gambling Commission – whose job it is to ensure that all things relating to gambling are done according to the new law.

The result has been the introduction of a tight, regulated industry, allowing gamblers the freedom to play at online and land casinos of their choice – as long as these establishments operate within the strict accordance of the law. Legislation pertaining to incentives, advertising and underage gambling was also created with the new law.  

In a move that is sure to affect the online poker industry, casinos and poker rooms that were awarded gambling licenses were told this week that they would not be allowed to offer prizes that involved gambling in areas that were not located within the gambling jurisdiction. So, for example, if a poker room licensee wishes to offer, as a prize, a seat in poker tournament that will eventually be held out of jurisdiction, this is seen as operating outside the law.  

A UK Gambling Commission spokesman clarified the matter further by saying: “Unless the overseas tournament is based in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar , or in white-listed jurisdictions, the advert is likely to amount to the advertising of "foreign gambling", which constitutes an offence under section 331 of the Gambling Act 2005."  

What does this mean for poker rooms? Essentially, their options are extremely limited when it comes to offering seats to poker tourneys. The does not approve gambling jurisdictions that fall out of the European Economic Area very easily. In fact, since the Act was introduced, only two such regions were granted “White List” status – Alderney and the Isle of Mann. Even though these two areas are outside the EU region, online casinos that are licensed by these jurisdictions are allowed to advertise their sites and software in the United Kingdom.  

The reason that these two regions have been allowed entry onto the UK White List is that they have a proven track record when it comes to rigorous gambling licensing under very strict criteria. Issues such as crime prevention and the fight against underage gamblers are at the top of these jurisdictions’ lists of priorities.

News Source:  Renee Kingsley