The chief executive of William Hill, Ralph Topping, has warned the British government that they in danger of "stepping on a minefield" in relation to proposed changes with regard to licensing and taxation of internet gambling operations media reports suggest.

The reaction followed the recently announced proposals that offshore online gambling operators looking to market to UK residents would have to apply for a UK license and would more than likely have to pay UK tax. Other measures such as the banning of credit cards are also likely to be enforced. Topping has described the proposals as unfair and an example of different departments doing their own things.

There is likely to be little sympathy for William Hill which chose to move its online operations to Gibraltar two years ago to avoid the UK taxes. While the latest proposals will mean that the gambling giant will see the gains it has made eroded the chief executive suggested there wasn’t a chance in hell of us coming back from Gibraltar this week.

In July the UK government’s department for Culture, Media and Sport announced the proposals and days later the Treasury confirmed plans tax implications for offshore operators making money out of UK residents

Topping added that if politicians act holistically, people might think that was a reasonable approach, but if they salami slice things, they're in danger of making huge mistakes and getting into legal territory they wouldn't enjoy.

He suggested that Gibraltar had become the hub for online gambling activity in Europe, saying and that the government will have to get their thinking caps on if they are going to make the UK more attractive to these technology companies.