Archive | August, 2020

4th National Lottery Licence Competition finally launched

Three months later than originally anticipated, the Gambling Commission has today (28 August 2020) formally launched the competition to award the fourth National Lottery licence. As previously reported by us here, the delay has been due to the Covid-19 pandemic. You can download below the Gambling Commission’s ‘Future of the National Lottery’ document that contains […]

New offence for holding (or involvement in holding) unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 come into force today (Friday 28 August 2020). The following useful summary of these Regulations has been published by the Institute of Licensing on its website: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 have been […]

Important changes introduced in 6th edition of the Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising

The Betting and Gaming Council has announced publication of the 6th edition of the IGRG Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising (that you can download below, together with a “marked-up” version, showing shaded yellow all changes introduced in this new edition). The new code describes itself as being “designed to further advance new requirements […]

ASA finds four gambling operators to have breached age-restricted ad rules

The Advertising Standards Authority has today (26 August 2020) published the findings from its latest online monitoring ‘sweep’, which has helped it to identify and tackle age-restricted ads appearing in children’s media. In a website news item entitled “Protecting children online: building a zero-tolerance culture to age-restricted ads in children’s media” (that you can download […]

Nightclub & Venue Reopening Strategy presents the case for re-opening of night-time leisure venues

As confirmed in a Government press release dated 13 August 2020: “nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques, as well as sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars, remain closed in law” due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The Night Time Industries Association (“NTIA”) – in conjunction with the Music Venue Trust, Festival Republic, Tokyo Industries, the Deltic Group […]

“Whistle to whistle” advertising restrictions shown to reduce number of betting ads seen by children

The Betting and Gambling Council has published review findings (that you can download below) relating to the gambling industry’s voluntary “whistle to whistle” (“W2W”) advertising restrictions  Its summary within the review findings document reads as follows: Gambling industry’s voluntary commitment to bar “whistle-to-whistle” advertising during live sport now restricts pre-watershed (9pm) advertising to live sport […]

David Clifton to interview BGC Chair at KnowNow Responsible Marketing conference in October 2020

KnowNow Limited is holding its 3rd Annual Responsible Marketing for Gambling Operators conference on 15 & 16 October 2020. However, reflecting the precautionary approach required by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year it will take the form of a “hybrid conference”. KnowNow describes this as follows: There will be capacity to attend the event live […]

UKGC lauds its “Manage your personal licence” service

The Gambling Commission has today (20 August 2020) published the following information on its website: New online service rapidly accelerating Gambling Commission’s personal licence maintenance process The Gambling Commission has underlined the success of its new online service which supports licensees to manage and maintain personal licences. The online service, launched in November 2019 to […]

LGA publishes COVID-19 outdoor events guidance

In recognition of  uncertainty about the extent to which outdoor events are currently permitted to take place in England, the Local Government Association has published a COVID-19 outdoor events guidance note that it says “brings together relevant guidance on outdoor events and provides an overview of the current position”. You can download the guidance note […]

On behalf of high-end London casinos, BGC calls for amendment of section 81 Gambling Act 2005

The Betting and Gaming Council has set out the following early request from London’s high-end land-based casino sector ahead of the UK government’s forthcoming review of the Gambling Act 2005: Rishi Sunak urged to protect high end casinos and London’s reputation as the ‘go to’ destination for big-spending tourists Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged […]