News > Archive > 2006 > May > UK Public to Decide on Online Casino Advertising
UK Public to Decide on Online Casino Advertising
11 May 2006
According to the BBC, online casino and gambling websites operating in the United Kingdom could soon be permitted to advertise on television and radio. The new approach toward marketing for online casinos is part of the reformation process being overseen by the UK Gambling Commission in preparation for the full implementation of the Gambling Act in 2007. Drafted by the Advertising Standards Authority and the Gambling Commission, the proposed new code, which could potentially boost the numbers of British casino players visiting online casinos, will be submitted to the public for opinion in the coming months.
The code will allow the country's strict advertising rules to be relaxed, although the government has stressed that the new rules will be subject to "very tight control".
Bingo halls, betting agencies and football pools will be included in the new rules, as well as overseas companies operating online casinos. Currently operators of online casinos are forced to adhere to advertising regulations over 40 years old. Online casinos can only print factual information in print advertisements, and television advertising is strictly prohibited.
The new code is expected to take effect by September 2007 when the Gambling Act 2005, which will increase the number of online casinos operating in Britain, comes into force. Gambling Commission deputy chief executive Tom Kavanagh has said that although the relaxing of advertising restrictions will allow online casinos to have more freedom, those online casinos based overseas will be banned from advertising in the UK unless they adhere to the country's regulatory standards.
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