UK government considers IP blocking
Preventative measure could be introduced as Gambling Bill passes through its second reading
Sports minister Helen Grant has refused to rule out the introduction of IP blocking for unlicensed operators during yesterday’s second reading of the Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill.
Grant was responding to fears from MPs that the introduction of the Bill, which will require all operators that wish to take bets or advertise their services in the UK to acquire a licence from the Gambling Commission, could see consumers migrate to black market operators.
Speaking from the Commons dispatch box, Grant said she had “not ruled out IP blocking” however added that she had noted previous “mixed results” when the measure had been applied to other industries.
The minister, who replaced Hugh Robertson at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport last month, also left the door open to the licensing of gaming suppliers, stating the Department “continues to work with the industry” on the issue.
The Bill gained full support from MPs, which now moves on to the committee stage ahead of a third reading before being passed to the House of Lords. It is hoped that the Bill will receive Royal Ascent in time for implementation on 1 May 2014.
However, possible legal action from the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA), which opposes the Bill, could see delays to the timetable – Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo recently ruled out legal intervention, although it’s unclear if his will stretches to the GBGA.
“It’s public knowledge that the GBGA has said it may apply for judicial review of the proposals once Royal Assent has been given, and of course this may impact the timing of any changes,” Susan Biddle, leading gaming lawyer and consultant at Pinsent Masons, said.
The issue of taxation was widely discussed by MPs during the debate, however, Grant refused to be drawn on the issue, stating it was purely a matter for the Treasury which had previously proposed a rate of 15%.