Leading industry figures have hailed the passing of the UK Gambling Bill as major achievement, with the chief executive of 888.com calling it the first step in pan-European regulation. “The bill is very good news for the industry, as is its acceptance by the country regarded as the best regulator in the world,” John Anderson, chief executive of 888.com, said. “It will be the first domino in a chain that will eventually lead to Europe-wide regulation for this industry,” he added.He declined to comment on the possibility of Cassava applying for a UK licence, but it is believed many of the leading firms will make an application once a formal process is announced.
However, the UK’s largest online gambling operator Sportingbet was more cautious in its welcome.The firm, which has been a staunch critic of some parts of the bill in the past, said there were still important aspects of the legislation yet to be decided. “Sportingbet awaits with interest clarification of the new regulatory framework and the level of taxation that will be levied on UK-licensed online gambling operators,” the firm said in a statement.
But Lee Richardson, chief executive of Chartwell Games Corp, was more upbeat, calling it a historic development for the online sector. "The UK is the first G7 nation to establish a framework of regulation that provides industry standards aimed at providing a safe, secure and regulated environment for players," he said. "We also think [the bill] may provide the necessary impetus for similar regulatory advancements in other juriictions, including elsewhere in Europe."
source egrmagazine.com
