Gambling

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The gambling industry is constantly in a state of change. While regulatory liberalisation is creating new opportunities in some jurisdictions, tightening legislation is closing down avenues in others. Our deep knowledge of the sector allows us to advise our clients on how to recognise, protect and optimise their opportunities within this shifting landscape.

Our gambling practice comprises lawyers drawn from across the firm, including our Commercial & Regulatory, Corporate, Tax, Dispute Resolution, Financial Services, EU & Competition and Intellectual Property practices and our expertise extends to all gambling products including betting, gaming, lotteries, prize competitions and promotions, both remote and land-based.

As well as years of experience in advising on gambling products, we have market leading financial services expertise which underpins our advice on payments issues and anti-money laundering.

With our experts across a network of 42 countries and long-standing relationships with local counsel in other jurisdictions, we are well placed to offer advice as new licensing regimes are introduced or legislation changes or on cross-border M&A. We can advise on the best jurisdiction for a client from both a regulatory and tax perspective. Whether a client wants to establish a new company, obtain a licence or needs market leading gambling tax advice, we provide a one-stop service.

17/04/2023
Gambling Law Reform Tracker
Welcome to CMS’ interactive gambling law reform tracker. With the UK Government finally publishing its long-awaited White Paper (‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age’) and the process of bringing the reforms into force now starting in earnest, we’ve collated resources, links and up-to-date information on the current state of play. We’ll be regularly updating this content as the Government’s proposals are implemented.  
Law-Now: Gambling
Visit Law-Now for legal know-how and commentary
07/12/2023
COP28: how the law can unite, act and deliver the UN SDGs
The law, and the work of lawyers, should enable countries, communities and companies to deliver the changes needed to achieve the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement. As COP28 urges us to unite, act and deliver, Advocates for International Development (A

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06/03/2024
Gambling Commission Consultation: Financial Penalties and Financial Key...
In­tro­duc­tion The Gambling Commission (the “GC”) has opened a consultation on proposed changes relating to financial penalties and financial key event reporting. The proposed changes to financial...
23/02/2024
Online operator Gamesys fined £6M for AML and social responsibility failures
On 10 January 2024,  the Gambling Commission (the “Com­mis­sion”) announced that Gamesys Operations Limited (“Gamesys”) had been issued a £6 million fine after a compliance assessment in May 2022...
29/01/2024
Gambling White Paper Consultations: Consumer-led tools
On the 29 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (“GC”) released its second set of con­sulta­tions on the Gambling White Paper which covers five key areas: Socially responsible in­cent­ivesCus­tomer-led...
29/01/2024
Gambling White Paper: Socially responsible incentives
On the 29 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (“GC”) released its second set of consultations on the Gambling White Paper which covers five key areas:Socially responsible in­cent­ivesCus­tomer-led...
24/01/2024
Upheld – ASA Ruling on Buzz Group LTD
In the latest example of the new strong appeal rules in action, on 3 January 2024 the ASA issued a ruling which was upheld concerning a post on Buzz Group Ltd’s (“Buzz Group”) Facebook page (the...
21/12/2023
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment 2023
Introduction On 30 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (the “Com­mis­sion”) published its latest risk assessment into money laundering and terrorist financing (the “Com­mis­sion’s Risk As­sess­ment”)...
20/12/2023
Gambling White Paper: Embracing the Future with a Statutory Levy
On 29 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (GC) published their second set of con­sulta­tions on the Gambling White Paper, which cover five key areas:Socially responsible in­cent­ivesCus­tomer-led toolsImproved...
19/12/2023
Gambling White Paper: Improved transparency on customer funds in the event...
On the 29 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (“GC”) released its second set of consultations on the Gambling White Paper which covers five key areas: Socially responsible in­cent­ivesCus­tomer-led...
19/12/2023
Gambling White Paper: Changes to the frequency of regulatory returns submissions
On the 29 November 2023, the Gambling Commission (“GC”) released its second set of consultations on the Gambling White Paper which covers five key areas:Socially responsible in­cent­ivesCus­tomer-led...
14/12/2023
Bribery in the gambling sector: change,“non-leg­al­ity” and grey areas
For several years the UK authorities, including HMRC, have been investigating allegations of bribery in connection with gambling operations in or relating to Türkiye (the new official name of Turkey)...
05/12/2023
UK ICO enforcement threat for gambling companies failing to comply with...
On 21 November 2023, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”), the UK’s data protection reg­u­lat­or, is­sued a statement warning that websites face enforcement action if they do not make...
30/11/2023
Mecca Bingo faces criticism over Instagram ad implying gambling boosts...
Mecca Bingo has recently found itself in hot water following a complaint about one of its Instagram ads (“the ad”). The Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) upheld the complaint, asserting...