Key Takeaways
- Brian Mattingley, CEO of 888 Holdings plc has indicated that the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association will seek a judicial review of the UK’s new gambling laws.
- The argument that the judge will hear is that the UK parliament has exceeded its powers by passing a law which contravenes EU treaty obligations.
- the EU treaties don’t allow new legislation that restricts cross border trade if the main purpose of the legislation is to raise tax revenues. The proposed 15% POC and the early arguments from the bill’s supporters provide plenty of evidence that this was indeed the case.
888 CEO Brian Mattingley has indicated that the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) will seek a judicial review of the UK’s new gambling laws.
In an interview with eGaming Review this week, he echoed comments that 32Red CEO, Ed Ware, made two weeks ago.
“My personal view is, fighting such a claim is more likely than it has been,” he said, adding that “Royal assent would be the starting trigger.”
Royal assent for the UK’s Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill is expected shortly, although the associated Treasury point of consumption tax (POC) will not come into force until December 1.
