B2B poker providers will require UK licence
Gambling Commission proposes network operators must ensure all its network partners with UK customers hold gaming licence
All UK-facing poker network providers will need to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission by April 2014 if they wish to continue to operate in the country, the regulator has proposed.
The news comes after the Commission released a number of proposed amendments to licence conditions as part of a move to step up its regulation of poker and other networks.
As well as applying for a licence, the regulator proposes B2B network providers such as Microgaming, Playtech and Ongame must ensure third-party operators that bring British players to the game are also licensed by the Commission.
In addition, it will be the responsibility of network providers to ensure those that bring non-British players to the game must also have the relevant licences or permissions needed to operate in the country in which they are incorporated.
The licensing conditions will also require B2B network operators to have effective measures in place for the sharing of information between themselves and other B2C operators, whether or not their customers are in the UK.
In a wider push, the Commission also set out other amendments including the introduction of an operator rating system based on customer fund protection and enhanced dispute resolution procedures.
According to the regulator, the proposed changes are designed to “enhance consumer protection and improve gambling regulation”.
All proposals now face a consultation and stakeholders have been invited to respond by the 4 December closing date. “We want to collect people’s views on the proposals during the public consultation which will run until early December,” a Commission spokesperson said.