Gibraltar Defends Their Regulations

Neil Parish, Conservative Party MP for Gibraltar, spoke in the defense of Gibraltar's licensing regimen for online poker and online gambling protection of minors. In his statement he was quoted as saying it is the UK government's inconsistent gambling policy under newly appointed Prime Minister Gordon Brown that warrants criticism instead of Gibraltar's licensing regimen.

"The Conservative Party wants to ensure gambling regulation in the UK is consistent while providing protection for minors. The British government's gambling policy is at fault here, noonline pokert Gibraltar's licensing regimen," news site Gibfocus.gi quoted Parish directly. "Gambling is a hugely important industry for Gibraltar and we support its vital role in the expansion of responsible gambling," Parish added.

Because Gibraltar has become an influential regulative jurisdiction for many online gaming companies, the tiny country, on the southern tip of Spain, has closely monitored the UK's progression towards putting the 2005 Gambling Act in effect, which will be realized on September 1st.

Interestingly, Gibraltar recently announced that Phill Brear, current Director of Operations of the UK Gambling Commission, will be heading to Gibraltar to become the head of the Gibraltar Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), effective October 1st.

Jeremy Hunt, Conservative MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport was quoted on the Gibraltar news site saying: "The issue is not with Gibraltar. We are frustrated with UK Government claims that they want to protect the public when their shambolic handling of the Gambling Act means that this is simply not the case."

Opposition politicians are vexed following an obvious policy reversal after Gordon Brown announced a summer review of the government's contentious gambling strategy focusing on the the land super casino in the UK, as well as the recent release of an advertising 'white list' by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Due to Gibraltar, like Malta, being located in the European Economic Area, it is an approved jurisdiction under EU law.

It is evident the new UK Gambling Commission Chairman Brian Pomeroy CBE will emcombered when he replaces current Chair Peter Dean who will step down January 1, 2008.