With mounting pressure from locally licensed gambling operators, the UK Government has given an undertaking to re-examine the current online gambling regulatory regime.
Sportbooks and online gambling operators licensed in the UK and subject to UK Gambling Commission gaming taxes have voiced their concerns to the government that the current regime makes it extremely hard for them to compete against foreign operators. Operators based outside the UK, but licensed in 'White List' jurisdictions are able to actively advertise and offer their product to UK residents while enjoying the low gaming tax rates of their licensing jurisdictions.
Add to this the fact that many EU Member countries are actively trying to restrict their resident's access to UK (and other foreign) gambling operators and the playing field, according to the UK bookies, just isn't fair.
In response to operator concerns, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport will conduct a review into current arrangements which should be completed by the end of 2009 and then be tabled in Parliament by January 2010. With the review in progress and potential amendments to existing laws pending, the UK Gaming Commission has informed relevant gaming jurisdictions that it will not be adding any more operators to it's White List until early next year.
Licensing jurisdictions currently enjoying White List status include Gibraltar, all EEA member countries and Antigua Barbuda.
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