The Gambling Commission yesterday published details of how it will monitor and regulate the activities of British gambling operators. From September 2007 the Commission will have substantial new powers and the consultation document ‘Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement’ gives the gambling industry an indication of how they will be used. All key individuals, shareholders and major investors in any gambling operation will be subject to a full range of checks before a licence will be granted.

The Commission will ensure that, once licensed, operators comply with a range of new rules it has introduced designed to keep crime out and make sure gambling is socially responsible. Commission staff will visit casinos, bingo clubs, betting shops and amusement arcades and check online gambling sites on a regular basis, using spot checks as well as scheduled examinations to ensure high standards are being met by operators and their staff. It will also adopt covert investigation methods such as mystery shopping to make sure operators are complying with its new rules.

Gambling Commission Chairman Peter Dean said: “We have three clear regulatory objectives: to keep crime out, to make sure gambling is fair and open, and to protect children and vulnerable people from harm. We will be risk-based, proportionate and fair in our approach to regulation, and our processes will be as streamlined and efficient as possible. But we will not hesitate to use our extensive legal powers to prosecute any illegal gambling activity, or to take action against licensed operators who fail to comply with the new rules we have set out.”

Commenting on the report Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport, said it "outlines the tough but fair approach the Gambling Commission will take to regulating the industry. These new measures, not possible without the Gambling Act, give the Gambling Commission greater powers to take action against operators, ensuring that people are able to gamble in a well regulated and safer environment.” (E-06.01.06)

© Copyright 2006 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage