The UK Gambling Commission has confirmed that the new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 will be implemented on October 1, 2014.
Operators that are currently able to provide gambling services in the UK and wish to continue offering such services should submit an application for a continuation licence by September 16.
If the application has not been determined by October 1, the applicant will be issued with a continuation licence that will allow them to operate until the application process has been completed.
Licence applications can be made via an online application service via the Gambling Commission website.
The confirmation of the implementation comes despite heavy criticism from the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBLA), which pledged to challenge the new Act after branding it unnecessary.
The organisation, which represents Gibraltar-based online gambling operators, said that the new Act would open up the UK markets to operators based anywhere in the world, some of which may not obtain a licence
The GBLA also said that the new regime would effectively require UK regulators to police the gambling industry on a global scale.
The organisation has instructed law firm Olswang to contact Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, Sajid Javid, attorney general Dominic Grieve and the UK Gambling Commission in order to spell out its concerns over the Act.
Related articles:
Gibraltar body to challenge new UK Gambling Act
