Nonetheless, it would be possible to introduce legislation (similar to that for lotteries) which both permitted domestic Internet gambling and made illegal any provision from overseas. Hence, as is the general approach for other gambling legislation, the law would make all Internet gambling illegal except that for which specific provision is made in the legislation. The legislation could then make sites legal only if based here and certificated by the Board. An alternative would be to maintain, and extend, the ban on advertising overseas sites. Enforcement of either sort of measure would be subject to the difficulties discussed under option (ii) above, and it would not be possible to prevent British residents accessing and gambling on overseas sites if they wished. But such a law would make the operation here of overseas sites more risky and difficult, for example because gambling debts would be unenforceable or advertising would be refused by British publications. Nevertheless, given what is said earlier about the global nature of the market and access to it by British companies, the Board does not consider attempts to prevent access by overseas sites to British players to be sensible or equitable and believes they should only be pursued if it was decided to limit British sites such that they could offer gaming only to residents here.

The Board considers that a structured and coherent legislative system is needed which permits controlled and regulated Internet gambling sites in Britain. It acknowledges that there are a range of tricky and complex matters which need to be addressed in establishing the form of that legislation. Legislative change is unlikely to be simple or straightforward. The Board believes that the whole subject of Internet gambling and what changes are needed to accommodate it are matters to which the Gambling Review Body should give particular attention.

27.

The Board itself will continue to keep under review developments in Internet gambling, both domestically and internationally, and will advise the Home Office and the Gambling Review Body of any significant further issues that arise. British companies, including both those already certificated by the Board for gaming and others, regularly approach the Board for advice and guidance on what can and cannot be done under current legislation. The Board will continue to respond as helpfully and >>