2013 : W H A T W E L E A R N E D F E A T U R E
2013
WHAT WE
LEARNED
eGaming Review looks back at the biggest
news stories, trends and talking points
from an eventful 12 months in the industry,
which saw the US take off and some major
players show their strategic cards
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UK REGULATION
CAUSES
HEADACHES
The United Kingdom’s Gambling
Bill will require all operators taking
UK bets or advertising in the
country to obtain a licence from
the Gambling Commission and pay
a 15% tax on gross profits
WHAT HAPPENED?
The bill set to shake up the UK online
gambling industry made it through the
House of Commons and now faces a
vote in the House of Lords. Currently
those licensed in white-listed territories,
Gibraltar or the European Union are still
able to advertise into and take bets from
the jurisdiction, but the amended bill will
require operators to be licensed in the UK
and pay tax on its UK revenues.
The Bill faced a substantial amount
of criticism from egaming operators,
particularly from chief executive of the
Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association
(GBGA), Peter Howitt, who described it as
“terrible” and “damaging”. “Our concern
is that you will in fact be damaging UK
consumer interests and the regulatory
reputation of the UK with this Bill and it’s
not necessary to achieve the wider policy
and political objectives the UK wants
to achieve,” he told the parliamentary
committee.
Details of one aspect of regulation
which has been on the table since 2012,
the point of consumption (PoC) tax,
came to fruition during the year with the
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