UKGC Gains IP Blocking Authority in Criminal Justice Bill – Boosting Anti-Illegal Gambling Efforts

Are you concerned about the proliferation of illegal gambling websites in the UK?

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to take a giant leap in the fight against illegal online gambling.

As part of the sweeping reforms brought forth by the UK’s Criminal Justice Bill, the UKGC is poised to gain formidable IP blocking powers.

This seismic shift promises to reshape the landscape of online gambling regulation and empower law enforcement agencies.

Dive into this expertly-crafted guide, where we unveil the key details of this groundbreaking development and its potential impact on the industry.

Enhancing Law Enforcement in the UK: A Closer Look

The Criminal Justice Bill, a comprehensive overhaul of UK criminal law, is currently making its way through Parliament. This multifaceted legislation aims to equip police and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to combat various crimes effectively. Already, it has cleared its initial parliamentary hurdles and is progressing through the legislative process.

The Legislative Journey of the Criminal Justice Bill

At its core, the bill seeks to bolster law enforcement’s ability to suspend IP addresses and domain names linked to serious criminal activities. This will enable police and investigative agencies to seek court orders that require IP and domain name providers to block access to websites suspected of being involved in criminal operations.

IP Suspension: The Current Scenario

Currently, UK law enforcement can secure access to specific IP addresses through voluntary agreements with public and private partners. However, this voluntary suspension mechanism doesn’t always apply, especially when domains are hosted outside the UK. In such cases, foreign internet infrastructure providers typically act only when court orders are issued.

Expanding Jurisdiction with New Legislation

The proposed legislation seeks to bridge this gap by granting UK law enforcement agencies the authority to obtain court orders that can be served to entities located abroad. This expansion of jurisdiction will significantly enhance their ability to tackle criminal activities that transcend international borders.

Empowering the UKGC: A Game-Changing Move

During a recent public bill committee discussion, Labour MP Carolyn Harris raised a critical question regarding the bill’s potential application against illegal gambling sites and crypto casinos. Minister for Policing Chris Philp responded affirmatively, emphasizing that the bill’s provisions would indeed apply to combat illegal activities.

Strengthening the Hand of UKGC

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions allowing a member of the Gambling Commission with a grade of executive director or higher to apply for court orders against individuals or entities suspected of criminal involvement. This measure, as highlighted by Philp, provides a robust tool for dealing with overseas entities that may not respond to polite requests but are more likely to act when faced with a court order.

Protecting Constituents from Online Crime

Chris Philp emphasized the bill’s importance in safeguarding constituents from online criminal activities, including fraud and illegal gambling. The newfound powers are expected to significantly aid the UKGC in its ongoing mission to clamp down on unlicensed gambling operators.

A Record of Success

The UKGC’s relentless pursuit of unlicensed gambling operators has yielded substantial results. With additional funding in 2021/22, the regulator achieved a remarkable 500% increase in enforcement actions against unlicensed operators in 2022/23. Furthermore, between May and July 2023, the UKGC successfully implemented geo-blocking measures to restrict access to four of the top 10 illegal domains in the UK, resulting in a 46% decrease in web traffic to the largest illegal sites in the market.

This comprehensive update showcases the impending transformation of the UK’s online gambling regulatory landscape, offering insights into how these newfound powers are poised to make a substantial impact. Stay informed and prepared as the UKGC and law enforcement agencies gear up to combat illegal gambling with unprecedented authority.