Internet Gaming The Winner
After years of debate and legislative uncertainty, finally the interactive gaming industry is celebrating today as the UK’s Gambling Bill has finally been passed.
The final bill is being seen as a major government climbdown on the controversial issue of super casinos, legislation that pertains to iGaming remains intact.
It was expected that the new bill would see in the region of 20 to 40 Vegas style ‘regional casinos’ this has now been reduced to only one.
Shadow Culture Secretary John Whittingdale today said that the establishment of the Gambling Commission and the regulation of internet gambling are 'necessary and uncontentious”, adding that the provisions of the bill relating to casinos remain highly controversial and have not had proper scrutiny in parliament.'
The iGaming industry was overjoyed with the news that the UK will regulate online gaming, having been concerned that the bill would not be passed in time. Andrew Tottenham of the Interactive Gaming and Betting Association (IGGBA) said: “The bill will go through unchanged and it looks very, very good. It means a first world jurisdiction will be legalizing and regulating remote gambling. It will have enormous implications for the industry worldwide.
“Now the hard work begins for IGGBA in helping the Gambling Commission in establishing the regulatory framework.”
