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New Legislation After Over 150 Years

The Gambling Act 2005 was a long overdue piece of legislation for the UK government – mainly because some of the previous legislation dated back to 1845! Considering the huge advancements in the internet and thus online casino gambling, that was one law that definitely needed to revamping. The Gambling was approved just two years ago, and in that time the Act authorized the formation of the Gambling Commission, and gave the Commission the power to examine the needs and shortcomings of the current land-based gambling and online casino gambling companies and services.

Though the Gambling Commission has been formed for two years, all of the developed legislation and power came into effect on September 1, 2007. Many land-based and online casino gambling companies were heavily effected by the changes. The Gambling Commission has developed laws that will positively shape in the online casino gambling industry from this point forward. Previous legislation that is now overridden by the Gambling Act include: the Gaming Act 1845, the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. This new legislation grants huge powers to the Gambling Commission and allows the Commission to develop laws fro every sector of the gambling industry.

Some of the main concerns that the Commission addressed immediately are concerns about both eliminating underage gambling and lowering the prevalence of problem gamblers. Gerry Sutcliffe, the UK Sports Minister notes, “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.”

Many online casinos were forced to change policies, upgrade existing products and service, and more prior to the September 1, 2007 deadline or else they would face fines from the Commission. Because the internet gambling industry is fairly new compared to other forms of land-based gambling, Sutcliffe also notes, “Many people like to gamble, and for the vast majority it’s harmless fun. This has and always will be the case. But what has changed is the way people gamble. It used to be that you had to leave the house to place a bet, but advances in technology have changed that – TVs, home computers and mobile phones have become the digital equivalent of a betting slip and casino chip.