British Gambling Laws Under Review

The UK Gambling Commission is considering amending British gambling laws, getting rid of the Rules of Casino Games in Great Britain document which stipulates what games UK casinos can legally offer. This document has been in effect since 2007, and it only permits casino license holders to offer games that are on the Commission's official list of approved games.

The problem with the document is that it is too fine-grained, and is proving impractical. Blackjack is allowed, for instance, but the document does not cover all possible forms of blackjack. If a game appears with slightly different rule variations, or with a unique side bet, it cannot appear in UK casinos unless the document is amended.

Currently, casinos in the UK are the only gambling entities in the country that are this controlled by the Commission, and that have to request permission to add new game or to change house rules. Online casinos in the UK, for example, are free to offer any game they like.

If the Rules of Casino Games in Great Britain is discontinued, it will be replaced with a single clause stating: "Licensees must not offer or permit to be played casino games that appear on any list of games prohibited by the Commission." This will allow the Commission to maintain some control over what games UK casinos offer, but will simplify the process dramatically.

The Commission will make their final decision on November 24, and in the meantime are requesting feedback from local casinos. Nobody is quite sure how casinos will respond, since the new rules would shift responsibility onto the casinos, making it their job not to offer prohibited games. This small responsibility, however, is far from overwhelming, and because this law change would make it easier for casinos to expand their games selection, it is likely that they will be happy with the new rules.