Friday, February 02, 2007

In the build up to the government announcing the location of the UK's first
supercasino, it has emerged that TV advertising laws for UK gambling
operators are to be relaxed. However, those gambling operators that are
based outside Europe and Gibraltar wishing to advertise in the UK will have
to apply for a special licence and prove that they are based in a
jurisdiction that employs tight regulatory policies. The aim of the new
legislation, which will be implemented with the new Gambling Act 2005 on
September 1, is to seal a loophole in current laws that allow gambling
companies from badly regulated regions to dodge British rules, thus
protecting consumers. However, concerns are being raised that an increase in
television advertising from gambling companies could be a danger to
vulnerable groups and children. Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling
Studies at Nottingham Trent University is wary of the dangers and believes
the new laws should be accompanied by public awareness campaigns. "Hardly
any work has been carried out on whether advertising contributes to problem
gambling, but in my view is does," Griffiths said. Tessa Jowell, Culture
Secretary, is hopeful that gambling operators will help fund counselling for
addicts through a levy. Although The Responsibility in Gambling Trust has
announced that the industry is £3 million short of agreed contributions,
Jowell has instructed ministers to put in place procedures that would force
companies to make significant payments.