Written question asked by Lord Mancroft (Conservative) on Monday, 1 September 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 September 2014. It was answered by Lord Newby (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 September 2014 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Gambling: Internet

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work has been done to ensure that new compliance rules relating to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards do not prevent any software businesses from providing services to the gambling industry.

Answer: The Commission has held a number of meetings with software suppliers and users to discuss matters such as the length of time for suppliers to obtain the necessary licences. On current plans the requirement for licensed remote gambling operators to source their gambling software from Commission licensed gambling software businesses has been deferred until 30 January 2015. In addition, the Commission has published an advice note titled ‘What is gambling software?’. The Commission has also demonstrated its awareness of the commercial implications of its requirements by its willingness to contemplate ‘umbrella’ licensing arrangements in some circumstances.

Secondary information