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Major crackdown on online casinos’ AML and social responsibility failings

The Gambling Commission has sent a letter (that can be downloaded below) to all online casino operators raising concerns about the sector’s approach to anti-money laundering (“AML”) and social responsibility (“SR”) and setting out the actions the remote casino sector is required to take with immediate effect. Due to the serious nature of its findings, the Commission has already begun investigations into […]

Gambling Commission CEO to depart

It has just been announced on the Commission’s website that Sarah Harrison, its Chief Executive, will be leaving the Commission at the end of February 2018 (less than two and a half years after taking up the post) for a senior role with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the […]

Good news for the pub and bar industry in Budget announcement

In today’s Budget announcement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has delivered the following good news for the pub and bar industry: the £1,000 business rates relief for pubs with a rateable value of under £100,000 will be continued until March 2019 in order to “support thousands of small pubs at the heart of so many communities”, the […]

Government announces no hasty overhaul of the Licensing Act 2003

As we have previously reported, in April 2017 the House of Lords Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003 published a report setting out its findings from its post-legislative scrutiny of the Act. That report included over 70 far-reaching conclusions and recommendations. The Government has now published its response to the report. That response can be accessed here and downloaded […]

Gaming machines (including FOBTs) & Social Responsibility consultation announced

Gambling Minister Tracey Crouch has today announced the launch of a 12-week consultation that covers Government proposals relating to: maximum stakes and prizes for all categories of gaming machines permitted under the Gambling Act 2005 (including a reduction in the maximum stakes on FOBTs), allocations of gaming machines permitted in all licensed premises under the Gambling […]

Supreme Court delivers judgment in the Phil Ivey “cheating” case

The Supreme Court has today delivered its judgment in the case of Ivey (Appellant) v Genting Casinos (UK) Ltd t/a Crockfords (Respondent) [2017] UKSC 67, finding that the renowned professional poker player, Phil Ivey, had cheated by means of edge-sorting whilst playing Punto Banco at Crockfords Club casino in London, resulting in him winning approximately £7.7 million (that […]

What to do if you received that letter …..

In light of the news that has broken on Friday and over the weekend, David Clifton follows up his monthly SBC News Licensing Expert article of last week with an article containing guidance on the steps that should be taken by remote gambling operators who have received the letter written collectively by the Gambling Commission, […]

Unprecedented joint action to prevent gambling ads appealing to children

The Gambling Commission, the Committee of Advertising Practice, the Advertising Standards Authority and the Remote Gambling Association  have joined forces to send a letter to holders of operating licences granted by the Gambling Commission, advising them to amend or remove immediately any advertisements on their websites or in third party media that are: likely to appeal […]

Reminder: New RTS requirements in force on 1 October 2017

As we have previously pointed out, the following new Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (“RTS”) requirements will come into force on 1 October 2017: Live dealer studios (based on existing standards/practice and new requirement makes the Gambling Commission’s position clear) Peer-to-peer poker Use of third party software Linked progressive jackpots Virtual sports odds Information security […]