GB regulator warns over late licence applications
First tranche of suppliers receive licences as Gambling Commission reminds operators about 16 September deadline
Great Britain’s regulator has issued a warning to operators and suppliers over the 16 September deadline for the country’s new licensing regime with the first tranche of suppliers already issued with their Remote Gambling Software Operating Licences.
The new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act is expected to come into force in October and both operators and suppliers will need to obtain a licence under the new framework, with suppliers given until January 2015 to comply.
On Friday the Gambling Commission issued another reminder to operators that all licence applications must be submitted online by 16 September.
Operators wishing to gain a licence whose applications have yet to be decided by the time the act comes into force, which is still expected to be on 1 October, can be granted with a continuation licence to allow them to continue to trade but only if they qualify for continuation rights through transitional agreements, reserved for those currently licensed in white-listed jurisdictions.
Realistic Games was among the group of firms to receive its permit ahead of the deadline, joining the likes of Openbet and GTECH, and the supplier’s commercial director Andy Harris said it was a “significant step” for the firm.
“As we are already compliant with the new regulations we’ll not be caught up in any last minute scramble to gain licences or comply with the new regulations,” he added.