The UK government has today proposed plans to regulate the online gambling which will ensure gambling operators that want to take money off UK players are forced to hold a license in the UK regardless of whether they are currently based offshore.

The new plans will level the playing fields between those companies that are operating in the UK and paying UK tax with those that are avoiding paying the tax and opting to be based offshore in the ‘white listed’ regions. The costs associated with regulation and research, education and treatment of problem gambling will also be spread with offshore based companies.

It seems that comments from John Penrose, the minister for tourism and heritage, suggests that companies that are based in approved countries such as the European Economic Area and other regions currently on the “white list” will be entitled to an automatic transitional license to prevent having to stop trading. It has also been suggested that there will be a “light-touch” to avoid duplication in terms of regulation.

Hopefully the Gambling Commission will hold the trump cards and in future gambling operators will see little or no benefit in being based offshore.