UK licensing set for World Cup clash
Operators warned to start preparing applications early with illegal operators facing "swift and decisive" action from UK regulator
Operators have been urged to start readying their applications for a UK remote operating licence after the Gambling Commission indicated it expects to implement the Point of Consumption regime during this summer’s football World Cup.
The warning came from gaming law firm Harris Hagan who last week hosted a meeting with the UK regulator and a number of other interested parties from within the industry.
The Commission predicted the new regulatory landscape, which will require operators wishing to take bets from British-based customers to obtain a UK licence, is likely to come into effect in early July, although timings suggest it could be anytime between mid-June and mid-July.
The exact timing depends on when the Gambling Bill, a precursor to the changes, receives Royal Assent and this is now expected to take place in March with the Commission to begin accepting licence applications two months later.
The Commission will then give operators a one-month licencing window with an additional one week “dead period” to enable the regulator to process any last minute applications.
“Due to the volume of information required, we strongly recommend that all operators begin preparing their applications now, in particular the necessary policies and procedures that must accompany the application,” Melanie Ellis, gaming lawyer at Harris Hagan, said.
Should white-listed operators or those from within the EEA submit their application within the one-month window they will automatically be granted a “transitional licence” so they can continue to operate until their submission has been determined.
However, all other operators will be unable to obtain this grace period which means they will be forced to halt UK-facing operations should they not receive a licence before the go-live date.
Sue Rossiter, director of policy and projects at the Remote Gambling Association, told eGaming Review she was concerned unlicensed operators would flout the new law during the busy World Cup period.
“Our main concern is that rogue operators will not apply for an interim licence and will continue to advertise against the law,” she said. “If they do this we expect swift and decisive action from the Gambling Commission to take down illegal adverts and prosecute illegal operators.
“We cannot tolerate a position where adverts for betting on the World Cup by unlicensed operators are shown and UK customers are left unprotected.”
The Gambling Bill is set to face one of its final parliamentary hurdles, the Lords’ report stage, on 4 March.
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