New UK Gambling Laws reported by The Sun

[JonClarke]

BOOKMAKERS, casinos and betting websites can advertise on TV and radio for the first time in the UK tonight.

Under new gambling laws now in force bookies will be able to advertise their services after the 9pm watershed.

The Government says the Gambling Act will cut crime while protecting the young and vulnerable.

But the Salvation Army fears it will bring increased opportunities to gamble and the “normalisation” of an addictive activity.

What's more, sports players helping friends place bets on advice and tip-offs could be jailed for two years.

The Gambling Act 2005 governs nearly all forms of gambling including arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, online gambling and gambling in pubs and clubs.

It gives local authority licensing officers new powers to inspect gambling premises to enforce the new laws.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “The Gambling Act will give the Gambling Commission and local authorities unprecedented powers to ensure gambling is conducted fairly, children and vulnerable people are protected and crime is kept out.”

The new laws relax previous restrictions on adverts for gambling to give casinos, online betting sites, bookmakers and other operators the chance to launch TV commercials.

But the Salvation Army said the new laws allowed for a general increase in the number of gambling premises, particularly betting shops.

A spokesman said: “Gambling is not a normal leisure activity. Whilst some people enjoy a flutter or bet from time to time, gambling can become addictive and cause many problems. The results can be devastating on the individual, their friends, family, and on society.”

The Lib Dems have also accused the Government of failing to make adequate provisions for potential problems with the Act.

Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: “While many of the gambling reforms are welcome, the Government must recognise its failure to put adequate provisions in place for the problems the Act may bring.

“There has been a huge surge in online gambling but ministers have failed at every opportunity to bring internet gambling companies onshore where they would pay tax and be properly regulated.”

The Professional Players Federation (PPF) has issued a code on gambling to its members and has called on the government to do more to educate athletes about the risks they face under the new regulations.

Under the act anyone cheating or helping someone to cheat in a sports bet will face a jail term.

The act will apply to participants and also trainers, managers and even the journalists they speak to.

The new law

The Gambling Act 2005 is a wide-ranging piece of legislation which covers most forms of gambling.

• The Gambling Commission was created as the new regulator for the industry, replacing the old Gaming Board.
• It is responsible for casinos, bingo, gaming machines, arcades, lotteries, remote gambling and betting.
• The Act allows remote gaming operators - such as gambling websites - to be based in and regulated by Great Britain for the first time, making them subject to the rules set out in the legislation.
• Existing casinos will have a number of restrictions lifted, such as the requirement for people to be members of casinos in order to go inside.
• The Act also sets out provision for three new types of casino - the one regional “supercasino”, plus eight large and eight small casinos. The supercasino element is currently under review.
• Licensed betting operators in shops and online have new conditions imposed on them, such as having to display gambling helpline information and training staff to identify problem gamblers.
• Betting shops will be able to open from 7am to 10pm all year round instead of just in summer, subject to local authority consent.
• The Act reforms the advertising rules for gambling operators, allowing casinos and some others to advertise on TV for the first time.
• Gambling adverts will be subject to a code of practice policed by the Advertising Standards Authority.
• Operators have also signed up to a voluntary set of rules which set a 9pm watershed for TV commercials for gambling services, except around televised sporting events.
• The law sets out new limits on stakes and prizes for poker games held in pubs.
• As with casinos, bingo halls will no longer have to make people members in order to let them inside.

Changes to the rules for bingo prizes means bingo halls will no longer have to return all stakes as prize money. Instead, they can keep some money behind to offer as rollover prizes.