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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 people around the world, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said.Online gambling sites registered in the UK would offer a "hallmark of quality" to people around the world, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said.
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.The UK hopes to become a "world leader" in internet gambling following a US ban on the activity, press reports suggest.
About 30 countries have pledged to ensure online gambling is not a source of crime and to protect consumers.About 30 countries have pledged to ensure online gambling is not a source of crime and to protect consumers.
They were meeting at Ascot racecourse to discus the UK plan and possible international standards. 'Tough codes'
They were meeting at Ascot racecourse to discuss the UK plan and possible international standards.
"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.
ONLINE GAMBLING About one million people in Britain gamble regularly onlineThis represents almost a third of the 3.3 million across EuropeEuropeans spend £3.5bn a year on online gambling - more than £1,000 each on averageThere are more than 2,000 gambling sites around the world, of which 537 are in Antigua and 474 in Costa RicaThe UK hosts 70 sites, but none of these offer gaming, such as poker or rouletteWomen represent an increasingly large part of the online gambling market, accounting for 30% of visits to UK sites during the World CupSource: Independent study for DCMS
"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'
She added: "By being licensed, we have signed up to the very tough regulatory codes to protect the public and 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 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 Schoolgirl tests web gambling 'My struggle with gambling'
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.
Ms Jowell, at a press conference, said: "The course of action that we, the UK government, have taken is to develop a framework of regulation which I think will be regarded as potentially the toughest in the world, except in those countries that ban gambling altogether."Ms Jowell, at a press conference, said: "The course of action that we, the UK government, have taken is to develop a framework of regulation which I think will be regarded as potentially the toughest in the world, except in those countries that ban gambling altogether."
New US laws forbid firms from taking internet bets, and bans banks and credit card firms from allowing web payments.New US laws forbid firms from taking internet bets, and bans banks and credit card firms from allowing web payments.
'Driven underground'
Ms Jowell told BBC Radio 4's Today the American approach was "the new prohibition" - referring to US efforts to ban alcohol in the early 20th century.Ms Jowell told BBC Radio 4's Today 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' I think it's a complicated and ambitious project the government has started on but I think well worth doing Adrian Scarfe, Gamcare href="/1/hi/uk/6101548.stm" class="">Schoolgirl tests web gambling href="/1/hi/uk/6101518.stm" class="">'My struggle with gambling'
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Adults should be permitted to waste their hard-earned cash in whatever way they see fit Red Planet Send us your comments
"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."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."Basically it's much, much better to have regulated gambling than unregulated gambling - that goes without saying.
International standards
"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
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 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Adults should be permitted to waste their hard-earned cash in whatever way they see fit Red Planet Send us your comments
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.
Shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire said action was needed on remote gambling.Shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire said action was needed on remote gambling.
"Warm words will not help those thousands of families that are blighted by gambling addiction."Warm words will not help those thousands of families that are blighted by gambling addiction.
"It is time that the UK took a lead in promoting a socially responsible approach to gambling, rather than simply eyeing up a nice windfall for the Treasury.""It is time that the UK took a lead in promoting a socially responsible approach to gambling, rather than simply eyeing up a nice windfall for the Treasury."
However, sports minister Richard Caborn said regulation was not about "a grab" money for Treasury.However, sports minister Richard Caborn said regulation was not about "a grab" money for Treasury.