MAINLY BOOKIES APPLY FOR UK GAMBLING LICENCES

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27 April deadline brought in new applications

The UK Gambling Commission has published the list of online and offline operators who have applied for prestigious UK gambling licences in time for the September advent of the liberalised Gambling Act.

Despite widespread speculation on the possibly dampening effect of Chancellor Gordon Brown's 15 percent tax regime announced earlier this year, the "remote gaming" section of the list carries a good range of well known, if mainly bookmaker, names.

In a press release announcing the end of the 27 April deadline for applications, the Commission revealed that a total of 2 357 applications had been received and were being scrutinised. The majority of these were for a continuation of existing licensing rights.

"We are pleased that the vast majority of gambling operators have got the message about the deadline for guaranteed continuation rights," said Hazel Canter, the Commission's Director of Licensing and Compliance.

"Continuation rights mean existing businesses that sent their application in before 27 April can continue to run their businesses without interruption after 1 September 2007, even if their operating licence has not been determined by the Commission. Not all existing businesses need new licences for 1 September to continue to operate.

Taking a look at the applications for remote gambling operations at http://www.gamblingcommission.go ... l.asp?ContentId=182 it is clear that the majority are for bookie rather than casino activities. Those marked specifically for online casino operations include:

Corinthian Clubs
Eurobet
GameAccount (skill gaming network)
Smart TV
Sportech/Littlewoods
Jaxx UK Ltd
Lucky 8
Online 28
Palatial Leisure (a hitherto mainly Bingo operation)
Stardust
The Gaming Channel
Two Way Media William Hill

Among the big names on the general remote gambling list are Betfair, Bodog, Betfred, Canbet, Centrebet, Betdaq, Globalbet, GameSys, Rank/Grosvenor/Bluesquare, Heathorns, IGT, Inspired Gaming, Ladbrokes, London Asia (Betex), Million-2-1, Orbis, Paddy Power, Coral, Samvo Entertainment, Spielers (Stanley Leisure), Stan James, Stanley Casinos, Unibet and Will Hill.

Mobile providers and operators making application include Cecure, Cellectivity and Mfuse.

Applicant with the most intriguing title? "The Angry Grandfather" of Aldershot, UK!