British gambling business is waiting for new restrictions

Over the British gambling industry are gathering clouds - regulators plan to tighten the nuts in terms of advertising gambling, as well as the work of slot machines.

In terms of numbers, gambling is an important part of the British economy, says the BBC. In total, more than 100,000 Britons work in this industry, and its tax deductions amounted to £ 2.8 billion last year.

Nevertheless, the British authorities express grave concern about the harm that the gambling industry allegedly inflicts on society. According to the UK Gambling Commission, more than 2 million Britons are experiencing problems related to gambling addiction, which means that the market needs additional restrictions.

In particular, the Commission proposes to limit the maximum amount of betting in slot machines (so-called fixed-rate terminals, FOBT) to £ 2 - according to the regulator, since it will be more difficult for people to lose large sums of money to machines.

In addition, British officials want to limit the advertising opportunities of the gambling industry. Now gambling establishments can not place advertisements in programs intended for minors, and also before 21:00 (the last restriction the industry has set for itself voluntarily). The exception is only sports events - according to the Air Force, 95% of all football television broadcasts include at least one promotional video devoted to gambling.

Already in April, new rules for advertising gambling must come into force in the UK. In particular, calls for immediate action (like "Bet now!"), As well as plots "representing gambling as something normal and normal" will be banned.

Representatives of the gambling business, of course, are very unhappy with such innovations. They say that many institutions are simply ruined, as a result of which people will lose their jobs, and the budget will be taxed.

In addition, many market participants claim that they themselves help people to fight the game addiction. For example, in the British Association of Remote Gaming (Remote Gambling Association) operates a single computer system GAMESTOP. A player who has realized his dependence can voluntarily block himself, and this lock will be effective in all online casinos that have a regulatory license.

However, it is unlikely that the Gambling Commission will give up on its plans, and many market participants are talking about an inevitable wave of consolidation. Thus, the online casino GVC seriously aimed to buy a competitor Ladbrokes Coral - the transaction amount can be from £ 3.1 billion to £ 3.9 billion.

And this is clearly not the last big deal in the UK gambling market. The stakes are made, and the biggest will win.