Archive | January, 2019

GamStop under the spotlight

A month after we reported that GambleAware had commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct an evaluation of both the online Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme (GamStop) and the non-remote such schemes, a BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates programme reported that it was possible for someone who had self-excluded from online gambling via GamStop to open a new account with a gambling […]

The mystery of the missing comma – the Wire Act reconsidered

Earlier today in a report entitled “UK gambling stocks drop after U.S. DOJ reverses opinion on internet betting”, Reuters reported on the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) Opinion memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel (“OLC”) dated 2 November 2018, reversing its previous (2011) interpretation of section 1084(a) of the Federal Wire Act, that reads as follows […]

More tightening on the cards for 2019

Comments by David Clifton feature in two articles within the current edition of iGaming Times: “Clifton: More tightening on the cards for 2019” (in which he explains (a) why 2018 has been a transformative year for the UK’s gambling market, marked by a wave of new regulations, record fines, and rising costs for operators and (b) […]

How not to deal with a summary review of your premises licence

In his article for this month’s “legal” page for Pub & Bar magazine entitled “How not to deal with a summary review of your premises licence”, David Clifton advises readers how to avoid the calamitous fate that has befallen Elizabeth Pargetter at Lower Loxley Hall (pictured below). In what must surely be the biggest crisis to have […]

Gambling Commission requires greater transparency for customers

The Gambling Commission has posted on its website a call for greater transparency for customers, specifically in relation to the question “do they know who they’re participating against?” This question arises from the practice of some licensed operators to participate in their own gambling products either directly or indirectly through a Group company. In its posting, the Commission states […]

Major bookmakers volunteer FOBT stake cuts to £2 in Northern Ireland

David Clifton is quoted in a Gambling Compliance article entitled “UK Bookmakers Sidestep Northern Irish PR Drubbing”, commenting on the stated intentions of each of Ladbrokes, William Hill and Paddy Power to voluntarily reduce FOBT (category B2 gaming machine) stakes at their betting shops in Northern Ireland from £100 to £2, in line with the reduction of such stakes elsewhere […]

Self-regulation versus Regulation

David Clifton is quoted in an EGR Compliance cover feature article that poses the question: “Can self-regulation realistically become the main governing mechanism for operators’ conduct in the gaming sector, or will regulators always need to be behind the wheel as the industry changes and evolves?”.  The article (that can be downloaded below) raises some interesting points. […]

A summary of recent AML & POCA updates

1  Updated Gambling Commission AML guidance and advice The Gambling Commission has updated (with effect from 1 January 2019, despite it only being drawn to the industry’s attention six days later, on 7 January, in the Commission’s fortnightly e-bulletin) its: guidance for non-remote and remote casinos on The prevention of money laundering and combating the financing […]

Crystal ball gazing into 2019 for the sports betting sector

After a tumultuous 2018, what does 2019 hold in store for the UK sports betting sector? In his New Year Licensing Expert article for SBC News entitled “Crystal ball gazing for 2019”, David Clifton has dusted down his crystal ball and gazed within in order to make his best bets on what the regulatory future may bring for […]

David Clifton to speak in gambling regulation debate at ICE VOX

Clarion Gaming has reformatted the International Casino Conference (“ICC”) and World Regulatory Briefing (“WrB”) to incorporate within the ICE VOX conference series its new HIVE, Boardroom and Counsel formats. ICE VOX will take place between Monday 4 and Wednesday 6 February 2019 at ExCeL London. You can download the ICE VOX agenda and book tickets here. At 10.30am on the first day […]