Clock ticking for UK licence application

Offshore operators only have until midnight on Tuesday 16 September to apply for licences allowing them to continue to provide gambling services to consumers in Britain after the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act comes into force on 1 October.

Offshore gambling operators – currently regulated overseas but transacting with consumers in Britain – wishing to continue to provide services in Britain beyond 1 October have until midnight (Greenwich Mean Time) on 16 September to make an application and pay a fee to ensure their business is not impacted.  Licence applications must be made through the Commission’s website.

If an application – made by an operator currently legally transacting with consumers in Britain – has not been determined by 1 October, the applicant will be issued with a continuation licence to enable them to continue to trade until completion of the application process.

Several well known betting brands, such as SBOBet and Pinnacle Sports, have begun the process of informing their UK-based customers that they will no longer be allowed to take their business as neither firm has applied for a UK licence.