Minister gives gambling websites free rein to advertise in Britain

LONDON, England -- As reported by The Guardian: "PokerStars.com, the online poker group that operates illegally in the US, will be allowed to advertise on British TV and radio from next month even though it is not regulated by the government's new Gambling Commission.

"It is just one of hundreds of internet gambling groups, unlicensed in the UK, which are to be granted freedom to advertise in Britain under the government's Gambling Act 2005. They will not be regulated here or pay British tax.

"Culture minister James Purnell yesterday published a list of overseas territories that he claimed met 'strict standards' of regulation. They include Alderney and the Isle of Man, where PokerStars was recently granted a licence.

"Mr Purnell said his move to block some non-European territories such as Dutch Antilles and Tasmania from advertising amounted to 'a crackdown' that would leave about 1,000 websites unable to take advantage of advertising deregulation in the UK..."

- 2007-08-14 05:07:15