Health lottery granted online poker licence

The Health Lottery is set to branch out into online poker and casino games after being awarded a remote casino gambling licence by the UK Gambling Commission.

According to The Guardian, the subsidiary of Richard Desmond-owned Northern & Shell ““ the company behind Express Newspapers and Northern & Shell television station Channel 5 ““ initially made its application 12 months ago.

It joins the likes of Bodog in securing a UK licence as the country looks to revamp its egaming legislation, and will launch the new casino and poker offerings under a new brand identity. There is no specific launch date scheduled.

Last December saw the Health Lottery select Ardenta as an IT advisor, with responsibilities including consultation on best practices for future development.

However its operations remain under threat, subject to a judicial review brought by rival lottery operator Camelot which could ultimately see its licences suspended or revoked.

Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, was opposed to the Gambling Commission’s decision, telling The Guardian: “What planet are the Gambling Commission on that they think it is a good idea, midway through a judicial review into their decision to license the Health Lottery, to let the same group run casinos?”