Prizes to Foreign Tournament Against U.K. Gambling Act

The U.K. Gambling Commission advised that seats being offered to foreign tournaments by gambling companies are violating the Gambling Act 2005.

The advisory released by the commission stated, "It has come to the Commission's attention that a number of operators are offering places at overseas poker tournaments as prizes in U.K.-based competitions."

The commission also said, "In the Commission's view, the offering of such a prize amounts to advertising of non-U.K. gambling, as defined by section 327 of the Gambling Act 2005. Unless the overseas tournament is based in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, or in white-listed jurisdictions, the advert is likely to amount to the advertising of 'foreign gambling,' which constitutes an offence under Section 331 of the Gambling Act 2005."

This has been the practice of online poker sites as well as land based casinos in the U.K. were the winners of certain tournaments gets seats to bigger tournaments outside the United Kingdom.

"Operators should take steps to ensure that any advertising which they are responsible for complies with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005," the Commission said.

The penalty if found guilty for violating this part of the Gambling Act is up to 51 weeks in jail and a fine.