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New law allows casinos TV adverts New law allows casinos TV adverts
(about 4 hours later)
Bookies, casinos and betting websites will be able to advertise their services on UK TV and radio for the first time from this weekend. Bookies, casinos and betting websites will be able to advertise their services on TV and radio in the UK for the first time from this weekend.
Under new laws which come into force on 1 September, the ads will be subject to strict rules including a 9pm watershed.Under new laws which come into force on 1 September, the ads will be subject to strict rules including a 9pm watershed.
The Gambling Act aims to tighten industry regulation and ensure the young and vulnerable are not exploited.The Gambling Act aims to tighten industry regulation and ensure the young and vulnerable are not exploited.
It will also allow the creation of more regional casinos, bigger slot machine payouts and a new gambling watchdog.It will also allow the creation of more regional casinos, bigger slot machine payouts and a new gambling watchdog.
While the Act covers all forms of gambling from high-end casinos to arcades, spread betting and the National Lottery will not be within its remit. Overhauling pieces of legislation dating back to 1845, the Act covers all forms of gambling from high-end casinos to arcades worth more than £9bn to the British economy.
This will allow casinos to become part of the mainstream leisure business Roy Ramm, director of London Clubs International But it will not regulate the National Lottery or spread betting.
"The government brought in the Gambling Act because most of our laws were nearly 40 years old and these developments were going unchecked and unregulated," said Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
"That's why 1 September is so important. 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."
RestrictionsRestrictions
All gaming operators based in Britain will require a license from the new regulator - the Gambling Commission - to trade or face steep fines and even prosecution. All gaming operators based in Britain will be required to show they can meet strict conditions to win a license from the new regulator - the Gambling Commission - to trade.
As well as coming under fierce scrutiny, firms will also be required to take protective action - such as making donations to groups offering treatments for gambling addiction. This will allow casinos to become part of the mainstream leisure business Roy Ramm, director of London Clubs International
Meanwhile, online gaming sites will be able to relocate their operations to the UK from their offshore tax havens, such as Gibraltar. But as firms moving to the UK will face an income tax of 15%, experts have questioned how many firms will make the move. Failure to uphold the Commission's licensing conditions, which includes the prominent display of information about responsible gambling and anti-money laundering procedures, will result in steep fines and even prosecution.
For most gambling emporiums, the biggest change is the lifting of the ban on TV and radio adverts, which will allow them to reach a bigger audience, though they will not be allowed to suggest gambling can achieve financial or sexual success. The law removes 6,000 fruit machines from premises such as takeaway food shops and mini cab offices, where children could play with them unsupervised.
Relief These will be phased out by 2009.
For many casinos, it is a relief to be able to clear up some of the "misconceptions about the industry" that has been allowed to fester. Meanwhile, for the first time online gaming sites will also be governed by the regulator if they are located in Britain.
But with betting duty set at 15% for gaming websites located in Britain, doubts have been cast as to how many firms will relocate.
For most gambling emporiums, the biggest change is the lifting of the ban on TV and radio adverts, which will allow them to reach a bigger audience.
GAMBLING ACT 2005: FAST FACTS New codes governing TV and radio advertising in a socially responsible wayInternet gaming will be regulated for UK-based firmsLocal authorities can impose sanctions on operatorsThe membership requirement on casinos will be liftedPoker clubs will be limited to a stake of £10 per game Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
However, they will be subject to a code of practice policed by the Advertising Standards Authority and media regulator Ofcom.
One casino operator said the changes were a chance to clear up some of the "misconceptions about the industry" that have been allowed to fester.
"This will allow casinos to become part of the mainstream leisure business and do a great deal to dispel a lot of myths about casino gambling and level the playing field," Roy Ramm, director of casino operator London Clubs International told BBC Radio Five Live."This will allow casinos to become part of the mainstream leisure business and do a great deal to dispel a lot of myths about casino gambling and level the playing field," Roy Ramm, director of casino operator London Clubs International told BBC Radio Five Live.
Initially, he said London Clubs International casinos will not be targeting TV adverts as they were "too expensive", but would rather promote their services on local radio and print where the company had premises. Mr Ramm added it was not in his firm's interest to target children or those that cannot gamble responsibly.
Mr Ramm added that it was of no interest to his casinos to target children or those that cannot gamble responsibly, in an effort to appease some community groups that fear that gambling advertising may have a negative impact on society.