UK Government asks GBGA for extra time to respond
Industry body likely to give Government and regulator until 16 July to respond to legal threat over new Gambling Bill
The UK Government is likely to be given an extra two weeks in which to respond to the Gibraltar Betting & Gaming Association’s (GBGA) threat of legal action should it not perform an urgent review of the recently passed Gambling Bill, eGaming Review understands.
Last week the GBGA wrote to the Government and the Gambling Commission to detail its demand and threatened to mount a judicial review of the Bill should the parties not respond within 14 days.
However, eGR understands that, following a request from the Government and regulator, the GBGA will agree to extend the deadline to 16 July, by which point it expects a response to its claims the Bill is “unlawful”, “unworkable” and in need of reform.
Should the deadline not be met, the GBGA previously warned it will be left with no other option but to mount a judicial review of the Bill, which was passed into law last month.
The GBGA boasts more than 20 Gibraltar-based operators as members however not all are fully behind the move with William Hill, Ladbrokes and bet365 all having opted to take no part in potential legal action.
However a majority of members, including 32Red, is thought to be supportive of the GBGA’s attempt to halt implementation of the Bill.
The association has long been critical of the regulatory framework, which will regulate and license the online gambling industry on a point of consumption basis from no earlier than 1 September 2014.
“The likely impact of this legislation will be to drive UK consumers towards unregulated or poorly regulated operators, leaving them exposed to unnecessary risks,” Peter Howitt, GBGA chief executive, said last week.
The GBGA has instructed law firm Olswang to lead its fight against the new framework which it feels falls foul of European Union’s right to freedom of movement.
The new regulatory regime, should it go ahead, will be coupled with a 15% point of consumption tax on operators’ UK-derived profits from 1 December.