SportingBet launches attack on the UK government’s restrictive gambling regulations
Friday 8th June 2007
Online gambling company SportingBet, has voiced its anger over the British government’s restrictive gambling regulations, which it believes to be the main driving force behind the firm’s relocation of its core betting and gambling operations to the offshore location of the Channel Islands.
The move has cost the company a hefty relocation charge of £10 million, leaving the company’s Chief Executive, Andrew McIver feeling disillusioned with UK gambling policy.
‘We have computer systems that need to be updated. If we don't meet their [the Gambling Commission] requirements by September we will be committing a criminal offence. The problem is we don't know what the requirements are,’ McIver said.
‘We don't want to leave this country - we never did - but we feel we have no choice. You only have to look at the way the super casino issue was handled.’
McIver went on to brand the Gambling Commission ‘a bunch of civil servants in Birmingham’.
SportingBet obtained a full licence in the Channel Islands from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and is expected to create 70 new jobs in the company as a result of the move.
Online gambling company SportingBet, has voiced its anger over the British government’s restrictive gambling regulations, which it believes to be the main driving force behind the firm’s relocation of its core betting and gambling operations to the offshore location of the Channel Islands.