Gaming Police Enforce UK Gambling Law

On August 31st, 2007, a group of 1,500 gaming police started patrolling the country in what is considered to be the largest gaming related activity for 40 years. Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced that a group of gambling licensing officers will patrol across the country to enforce the new Gambling Law.

The Minister denies that the loosening of the gambling laws caused more people to become addicted to gaming with already problematic people worsening. Sutcliffe said that the new gaming controls will protect those people that are easily influenced by gambling and ensure that the games will be conducted in a fair manner.

There will be also tougher consequences for gambling cheats who can be jailed up to two years and for those people, especially business owners, that ignore any minor that is playing in their establishment.

They will face a possible loss of their chances and jail time. More than 6,000 electronic slot machines will be taken away from convenience stores and minicab establishments so that minors could not play it.

Councils will also take over the job of licensing from magistrates and will cut the hours of wagering shops and dismissed gambling machines if there is opposition from area residents.

Sutcliffe said that with the rapidly changing technology nowadays, it is now possible to gamble by using personal computers, mobile phones and even televisions so they must be extra vigilant in ensuring that no minors can access it and that no crime can result from it.

With the success of online wagering all over the world, the government announced that new regulations are needed to keep watch of the industry. The Gaming Act scope will cover casino facilities, arcade slot machines, bingo halls and horse racing.

It also allows for the establishment of casinos that are opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Casinos can also now offer progressive jackpots and bingo halls can also offer progressive jackpots.

Betting advertisements are also allowed on television now but it should not be shown until 9:00 p.m. and models should be 25 years old and above. Questions for television and radio contests to be more difficult. The law will also ensure that players that win in the games get paid.

Monday, 24 September 2007
Darren G. Strachan