The rule
Section 330 of the Gambling Act 2005 makes it a criminal offence to advertise gambling that is unlawful, meaning gambling that needs a Gambling Commission licence, permit or registration and does not have one. Promoting an unlicensed offshore casino to British readers is therefore an offence. A publisher who only carries the ad has a defence if they did not know and had no reason to suspect it was unlawful. The maximum penalty is 51 weeks' imprisonment (6 months in Scotland), a level 5 (unlimited) fine, or both, and each day the ad stays up counts as a further offence. Section 333 is not an offence in itself: it sets when the Act's advertising rules reach remote ads aimed at people in Great Britain. Since the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, anyone offering remote gambling to British consumers must hold a Commission licence.
Who it applies to
Anyone who advertises gambling to people in Great Britain, including affiliate sites
What it means for you
- Any site that promotes an offshore casino without a Gambling Commission licence to British readers is committing an offence. That includes "not on GAMSTOP" lists.
- You can check any casino on the Gambling Commission public register: search the business name and check its domain names list.
Quick answers
When did this rule start?
s.330 in force since 1 September 2007; s.333 amended from 1 November 2014
Who does it apply to?
Anyone who advertises gambling to people in Great Britain, including affiliate sites