Archive | January, 2017

APPG publishes FOBT Inquiry Report

The Fixed Odds Betting Terminal All Party Parliamentary Group has published its “Fixed Odds Betting Assessing the Impact” report after receiving in-depth evidence into the impact of FOBT machines in communities across the UK. It concludes, amongst other things that “there is now a ‘prima facie’ case for significantly reducing the maximum stake that can […]

Gambling Commission publishes enforcement strategy consultation

The Gambling Commission has today published a consultation entitled “Changes to our enforcement strategy: Putting the consumer first”, that sets out its proposals for “a new vision for [its] enforcement action which will guide how [it uses its] powers” and “emphasises [its] expectations that gambling businesses put consumers first, and sets out proposals for credible deterrence”. […]

See you at ICE!

The award winning show ICE Totally Gaming is returning to ExCel London on 7, 8, & 9 February 2017, providing us with the ideal opportunity to meet up with old friends, clients and prospective new clients alike, so please let us know when you plan to be there and David Clifton and Suzanne Davies will be […]

CJEU setback for Gibraltar in place of consumption tax case

As explained in David Clifton’s October 2015 article for iGaming Business “The POC tax JR judgment analysed and explained”, the High Court asked the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) to determine whether, for the purposes of the freedom to provide services, Gibraltar and the UK are to be treated as if they […]

New version of LCCP for remote host operators

The Gambling Commission has published a new version of the LCCP for remote host operators that includes the conditions and codes for remote ‘host’ operating licences (that will be applicable for businesses that only provide facilities for gambling in circumstances in which they do not contract directly with any of the customers using those facilities). For more […]

CMA Online Gambling Investigation Update

When the CMA launched its online gambling investigation in October 2016 (on which we reported at the time), it asked consumers to provide further information and evidence on the concerns it had highlighted. In light of the information provided, it wrote to certain additional operators and is now also requesting information on certain issues relating to free bet […]

Horserace Betting Levy Reform

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP has announced that, via a reformed statutory Horserace Betting Levy, with effect from April 2017 (subject to receiving state aid approval), British Horseracing will benefit from mandatory contributions from all major gambling businesses that take bets on the sport in this country. Our summary can be downloaded below.

Betting operators’ bonus promotions must be fair and transparent

Betting operators have been advised by the Gambling Commission to ensure that their bonus promotions are fair and transparent for consumers. The Commission has published a public statement in which TGP Europe Ltd and Fesuge Ltd accept a number of failings relating to a Cheltenham Festival bonus offer, arising principally from the fact that their terms […]

Not only changed licensing fees but also a new type of licence

In the first of this year’s monthly “Licensing Expert” articles for SBC News (that can be downloaded below), David Clifton focuses on the new “betting host” operating licences to be introduced by the Gambling Commission and summarises some of the lesser publicised Commission fee changes announced by the DCMS just before Christmas – see our previous website […]