Licensing changes on the horizon

Department for Culture, Media & Sport has suggested that online gambling licensing in Britain could be set for a shake-up.

The recent suspension of Full Tilt Poker’s Alderney licence – following the enforced closure of the same company’s American operations – has further highlighted an issue that was already high on the agenda of culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The government recently undertook a consultation on online gambling, including an in-depth look at the rules regarding groups not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, including those based in offshore jurisdictions. Such companies are currently allowed to freely advertise and operate in Britain, but this could be set to chance.

Referring to the Full Tilt situation, a spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport commented: “This highlights why the government is looking at reforming how overseas-based operators are regulated and we hope to make an announcement in the next few weeks."