I-gaming industry professionals attending the European I Gaming exhibition in Barcelona November 11th, welcomed a speech by Peter Dean, chairman of the UK Gaming Board, that indicated that the UK government intends to extensively liberalise and update their gambling laws.
Mr. Dean outlined the government’s approach, saying that the UK’s licensing system would include thorough checks into companies financial status and company directors. He added that there would be a three million pound fund contributed by the industry on a voluntary basis that would go to helping people with gambling addictions. So far the industry has already raised two million pounds even before the regulations are implemented.
Although there are no figures on the taxes that would be imposed as yet, an interim report is due in April 2004, with the new legislation expected to be implemented by 2005.
