Antigua-Barbuda not scared of U.K. gambling ad ban
By Arthur Crowson
Antigua-Burbada is confident they will be exempt from the 1,000 web sites that are now facing restrictions regarding web advertising from the British government.
The restrictions are a part of the 2005 Gambling Act, which goes into effect this September. The ban is directed at gambling advertisements for companies operating outside the European Economic Area that have not been given approval by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS). The restrictions are in place to prevent underage gambling while combating criminal activities.
Antigua is considered to have the largest number of gambling operators. It has 537 of the estimated 2,300 world-wide online gambling sites. One is Bodog, which recently moved there from Costa Rica.
Last week the DCMS released a "white" list of gambling operators that will be allowed to advertise in television, radio and print. The list included the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Alderney and Liechtenstein.
Among those rejected were Netherlands Antilles, Alexander Canadian Reservation and Tasmania. Any online poker or casino business based there will not be permitted to advertise in the U.K.
Government officials with Antigua are arguing the country should be allowed to advertise in the U.K. because their strict regulations coincide with what the U.K. is trying to accomplish with their gambling laws.
Even if Antigua's betting companies were placed on the U.K.'s black list the impact would likely be negligible. The Antiguan government has said it's just a matter of time before they are on the white list and they will keep trying until they make it.
Many countries which host gambling operators haven't even bothered to apply for exemption. Costa Rica and Belize, two major players in the online gambling business, did not apply and will not be allowed to advertise in the U.K. after the gambling bill goes into affect.
Along with Antigua, Khahnawake in Canada is still waiting for approval to advertise from the British Government.
Gambing operators will be allowed to move from a "black listed" jurisdiction to the approved jurisdiction or to the EEA. They will then have to reapply for a place on the "white list."
By Arthur Crowson
Antigua-Burbada is confident they will be exempt from the 1,000 web sites that are now facing restrictions regarding web advertising from the British government.
The restrictions are a part of the 2005 Gambling Act, which goes into effect this September. The ban is directed at gambling advertisements for companies operating outside the European Economic Area that have not been given approval by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS). The restrictions are in place to prevent underage gambling while combating criminal activities.
Antigua is considered to have the largest number of gambling operators. It has 537 of the estimated 2,300 world-wide online gambling sites. One is Bodog, which recently moved there from Costa Rica.
Last week the DCMS released a "white" list of gambling operators that will be allowed to advertise in television, radio and print. The list included the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Alderney and Liechtenstein.
Among those rejected were Netherlands Antilles, Alexander Canadian Reservation and Tasmania. Any online poker or casino business based there will not be permitted to advertise in the U.K.
Government officials with Antigua are arguing the country should be allowed to advertise in the U.K. because their strict regulations coincide with what the U.K. is trying to accomplish with their gambling laws.
Even if Antigua's betting companies were placed on the U.K.'s black list the impact would likely be negligible. The Antiguan government has said it's just a matter of time before they are on the white list and they will keep trying until they make it.
Many countries which host gambling operators haven't even bothered to apply for exemption. Costa Rica and Belize, two major players in the online gambling business, did not apply and will not be allowed to advertise in the U.K. after the gambling bill goes into affect.
Along with Antigua, Khahnawake in Canada is still waiting for approval to advertise from the British Government.
Gambing operators will be allowed to move from a "black listed" jurisdiction to the approved jurisdiction or to the EEA. They will then have to reapply for a place on the "white list."
