GBGA To Contest New UK Gambling Laws In Court

New gambling laws to be introduced by the UK government are being challenged by the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA), a group representing a number of UK operators based in Gibraltar.

The GBGA wrote to Culture Secretary Sajid Javid this week saying it would challenge the decision to introduce new licensing and tax rules in court.

The GBGA, which represents companies such as Victor Chandler and 32Red, called Britain's pending gambling laws "unlawful".

UK Breaches European Laws

The GBGA continues to insist that the introduction of legislation requiring all operators to apply for a license from the UK Gambling Commission is in fact a breach of European law.

Moreover, it claims, they could even expose punters to what it terms "unscrupulous operators".

"The likely effect of this legislation will be to drive UK consumers to unregulated or poorly regulated operators, exposing them to unnecessary risks," said Peter Howitt, GBGA's Chief Executive.

The Gibraltar government is encouraging the challenge, fearing that the 15% tax and new rules could encourage UK bookmakers to move back to the UK.

William Hill Not Backing Challenge

Although a member of the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association, bookmaker William Hill has decided not to support the challenge, joining Ladbrokes in a similar decision.

"As the UK's leading operator, William Hill has decided not to challenge the government's decision to impose dual regulation on the online gambling industry," William Hill said in a statement.

"However, our original concerns about the distortive effects on the market and the inadequacy of enforcement mechanisms remain. Our message to the government would be to strike the right balance between overlapping regulation and enforcement by setting an appropriate tax rate that encourages full compliance without harming business."