betting law, bookmaking and pool betting

Our betting industry clients include some of the largest and most established bookmakers both on the internet and with betting offices.  Our experience includes assisting clients in acquiring and developing new betting office sites, obtaining operating licences and personal licences from the Gambling Commission and Premises Licences from Local Authorities.  We have drafted Social Responsibility and other policies illustrating how licensees will meet the Licensing Objectives and comply with Licensing Conditions and the Codes of Practice.  In addition we have provided clients with training on the Conditions and Codes and the provisions and application of the Gambling Act 2005 and regulations made under it.

We have been involved in advising on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTS), now B2 gaming machines, betting terminals and other innovative gaming machine developments in the highly competitive land-based bookmaking sector.

Our internet bookmaking clients include both UK-based and international so we are familiar with a variety of licensing regimes and the inter-relationship between them when it comes to issues such as anti-Money Laundering, Age Verification, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Codes,or the Industry Social Responsibilty Code of Practice on Advertising. We continue to provide advice on new developments such as fantasy type games and tournaments involving betting prize competitions or pool betting.

We have acted in court cases over data base rights, SIS, domain name disputes and contract disputes over alleged unfair terms and conditions or cheating.

We have used our betting industry experience and familiarity with the (still new) provisions of the Gambling Act to provide training to clients and others involved in the betting industry.

We have also assisted in shaping policy in making submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the administration of the on-course bookmaking sector and the future of pitch positions (see a copy of the Committee's report including the submission we prepared on behalf of Taffy).

For more information on our gambling law services, contact Peter Wilson.