Thursday, November 02, 2006

The research was commissioned ahead of the first ever online gambling
summit, hosted by Great Britain at Royal Ascot today. The summit will seek
to secure international standards for the regulation of online, interactive
TV and mobile phone gambling. The research shows: there are nearly one
million regular online blers in Britain alone;> they make up nearly
one-third of Europe's 3.3 million regular online gamblers;> Europe's regular
gamblers stake approximately £3.5 bn pounds a year - an average of £1000
each;> there are now 2,300 sites across the world. A large number of these
are based in a few key nations, with Antigua (537) top of the pile and Costa
Rica in second with 474;> the UK currently has 70 online betting sites, but
no gaming (poker, blackjack, roulette etc) sites;> women are becoming
increasingly important in the remote gambling market. During the World Cup
about 30% of those visiting key UK based betting websites were women.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell said "This
research shows that online gambling is on the rise and there is a need to do
something about this at a global level, as well as in the UK. I want to
secure international support for agreed standards of regulation. That's why
I called the summit today.
"Of course we also want online gambling companies to come onshore. We will
welcome them here because we believe that by allowing those who want to
gamble to do so over the counter, not under the counter is the best way to
protect children and vulnerable people and keep out crime. "But we won't
take part in a regulatory race to the bottom. On the contrary, if companies
do come to the UK it will be because 'regulated in the Great Britain' will
mean a website is subject to the most stringent controls and social
responsibility requirements anywhere in the world. "

The research was conducted prior to the US decision to ban the processing of
payments for online gambling websites. It makes three recommendations:
> Greater international co operation including harmonised regulations to
> curb problem and youth gambling;
> Co operation with the gambling industry; and
> More research into the extent of participation in remote gambling

John Carr, new technology adviser for leading children's charity NCH said:
"However good the new regime will be in the UK for online gambling, it might
not be as effective if overseas websites simply ignore the high standards we
have set. It is therefore very important that the Government is trying to
persuade other countries to establish a similar regulatory framework."

The Gambling Commission will regulate online gambling in Great Britain. They
published proposed licence conditions and codes of practice for consultation
in March 2006.