GB regulator re-opens transitional licensing window
Operators given until 23 October to apply for short-term licence after regime start date is put back until 1 November
Great Britain’s Gambling Commission is preparing to re-open its transitional licensing window as a result of the one month delay to its new regulatory framework announced last week.
Operators will now be given until 23 October to submit their application for a transitional licence, one week ahead of the regime’s revised start date of 1 November.
The licensing window previously closed on 16 September with the Commission having received 161 applications “ more than it had originally expected.
“As a result of the change in the date of commencement, it is anticipated that the transitional provisions will be extended and advance applications for a continuation licence will be able to be made to the Commission up to and including 23 October 2014,” a spokesperson for the Gambling Commission told eGR.
Transitional licences have been made available to operators currently licensed by white-listed or EEA countries with the permit enabling holders to continue to trade unaffected up until their full licence applications have been determined.
One deadline not being amended, however, is the requirement that operators only use software suppliers licensed by the Commission from 31 March 2015.
The March date was set in order to give companies additional time to adjust to the new regulatory landscape and the Commission today said that, despite the delay to the regime, suppliers will still have “ample time” to apply for a licence.
Britain’s new Point of Consumption regime is currently subject to a judicial review which took place last week and is awaiting judgment from Lord Justice Green.