Clause 41 - Provision of unlawful facilities abroad
Gambling Bill
10:30 am
Mr Malcolm Moss (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
The clause provides that a person commits an offence if he does anything in Great Britain, including using remote gambling equipment, to enable a person in a prohibited territory to participate in remote gambling. There is currently no restriction regarding the way in which the Secretary of State can use this power or how she can distinguish between different prohibited territories. Given that an order can also prescribe maximum penalties, including possible imprisonment, the means of making such an order should be as transparent as possible. It is important that concessions are not granted to territories that could have the potential to circumvent other aspects of UK policy, particularly in relation to casinos. Amendment Nos. 143 and 151 seek to ensure that a clear policy statement is laid before Parliament and that, at a minimum, a person in the USA is prohibited from participating in remote gambling at this time. Clearly other countries that could result in market distortion could be added in accordance with agreed policy.