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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK gaming to be 'mark of quality' | UK gaming to be 'mark of quality' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Online gambling sites registered in the UK would offer a "hallmark of quality" to players around the world, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell claims. | |
| Signing up to the UK's regulatory code would enhance the sites' reputation and protect players, argued Ms Jowell. | Signing up to the UK's regulatory code would enhance the sites' reputation and protect players, argued Ms Jowell. |
| The UK hopes to become a "world leader" in internet gambling following a US ban on the activity, press reports suggest. | |
| Ms Jowell is discussing the UK plan, and possible international standards, at a conference at Ascot racecourse. | |
| "We are creating a regime which for the first time will make it possible for online gambling sites to be registered in the UK. | "We are creating a regime which for the first time will make it possible for online gambling sites to be registered in the UK. |
| "That's not possible at the moment, but we do hope it will become a hallmark of quality for those companies that do register in the UK," she told BBC News 24. | "That's not possible at the moment, but we do hope it will become a hallmark of quality for those companies that do register in the UK," she told BBC News 24. |
| 'Prohibition' | 'Prohibition' |
| She added: "By being licensed, we have signed up to the very tough regulatory codes to protect the public and that that in time will be very good for their reputation." | She added: "By being licensed, we have signed up to the very tough regulatory codes to protect the public and that that in time will be very good for their reputation." |
| I think it's a complicated and ambitious project the government has started on but I think well worth doing Adrian Scarfe, Gamcare | I think it's a complicated and ambitious project the government has started on but I think well worth doing Adrian Scarfe, Gamcare |
| Banning internet gambling would only drive it "underground" and fuel crime, she argues. | Banning internet gambling would only drive it "underground" and fuel crime, she argues. |
| She told BBC Radio 4 Today programme that the American approach was "the new prohibition" - referring to US efforts to ban alcohol in the early 20th century. | She told BBC Radio 4 Today programme that the American approach was "the new prohibition" - referring to US efforts to ban alcohol in the early 20th century. |
| "Our concern is that if internet gambling were to be prohibited, it would be driven underground and precisely the kind of protections that we want to extend to people would be impossible." | "Our concern is that if internet gambling were to be prohibited, it would be driven underground and precisely the kind of protections that we want to extend to people would be impossible." |
| 'Ambitious' | 'Ambitious' |
| Ms Jowell said she believed that Britain's regulatory approach had won a "consensus" of support from organisations working with gambling addicts as well as the industry. | Ms Jowell said she believed that Britain's regulatory approach had won a "consensus" of support from organisations working with gambling addicts as well as the industry. |
| "I think the industry realises that, if they want to be accepted in this country, they are going to have to live by very high standards of social responsibility that we are going to require as conditions of licences," she said. | "I think the industry realises that, if they want to be accepted in this country, they are going to have to live by very high standards of social responsibility that we are going to require as conditions of licences," she said. |
| Adrian Scarfe from Gamcare, an organisation which offers advice to gamblers, said he welcomed the moves. | Adrian Scarfe from Gamcare, an organisation which offers advice to gamblers, said he welcomed the moves. |
| "I think it's a complicated and ambitious project the government has started on but I think well worth doing," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Basically it's much, much better to have regulated gambling than unregulated gambling - that goes without saying. | "I think it's a complicated and ambitious project the government has started on but I think well worth doing," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Basically it's much, much better to have regulated gambling than unregulated gambling - that goes without saying. |
| "We would much prefer people, if they are going to bet online, or gamble online, to do on sites that are well-regulated and socially responsible." | "We would much prefer people, if they are going to bet online, or gamble online, to do on sites that are well-regulated and socially responsible." |
| Worldwide standards | Worldwide standards |
| The summit will focus on the challenges posed by remote gambling - online and via mobile phones - including the protection of children and vulnerable people. | |
| The possibility of internationally agreed minimum standards is also on the agenda. | The possibility of internationally agreed minimum standards is also on the agenda. |
| Under UK government plans, a Gambling Commission would vet sites, giving official approval to those with the best working practices. | Under UK government plans, a Gambling Commission would vet sites, giving official approval to those with the best working practices. |
| Operators would not be allowed to target children and would have to keep customers informed about how much money they had spent. | Operators would not be allowed to target children and would have to keep customers informed about how much money they had spent. |
| Key staff, such as managing directors and finance managers, would also be checked for links to organised crime. | Key staff, such as managing directors and finance managers, would also be checked for links to organised crime. |
| Politicians from 30 countries will attend the conference. | Politicians from 30 countries will attend the conference. |