The U.K.Attempts to Attract More Online Gambling Operators

The United Kingdom's 2007 liberalisation of it's online gambling laws seems to have been unsuccessful in creating satisfying operating conditions for foreign gambling providers. The Government of the U.K. is in the process of looking for new ways to attract new operators with some critical detractors making some big waves on the political landscape. For nearly three years after becoming law the Act has failed to attract online operators to apply for a gambling licence in the UK On top of that problem the U.K.'s ambitious plans to be an example for the liberalisation of the European online gambling market have not materialized. Instead, much to the dismay of the present government and the Treasury has witnessed a move to more advantageous jurisdictions for online gambling operators. A review has come to a conclusion early this year and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has revealed proposals for new licence requirements for offshore online gambling operators. The details are not yet known, but the new licensing regime is expected 'to create a level playing field' for UK gambling operators. Taxes are the main issue but as in other E.U. nations online operators would be required to pay these in different jurisdictions, depending on where the players are located. What will be a decisive factor, however, is which country offers the most cost-effective base for online operators and where labour costs and tax rates are most favourable. Most other industries in the E.U. have witnessed similar migrations in similar scenarios. The online gambling industry is not much different from other industries that outsource for parts in more cost effective environments, exactly what the E.U. is all about. White-listed jurisdictions will remain the country of destination for online operators. All factors should be considered, in the U.K.'s revamping of their online gambling laws and regulations including tax, the horserace betting levy, the sports bodies' continuous demands, IP rights, European developments, white-listed jurisdictions, appropriate governmental departments and, of course, commercial realities. In the mean time jurisdictions like Alderney, Gibraltar, Malta and others in the Caribbean will attract online operators and develop their economies.