§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what measures are in place to ensure that on-line gambling operators are not used as a vehicle for the laundering of illegally obtained funds. [121633]
§ Mr. CabornUnder the current legislation, online gaming is prohibited from being offered by companies based in Britain. However, betting operators are free to offer their services online, and this will continue under 413W the Government's proposals to modernise the gambling laws. The planned Gambling Bill will permit online gaming, and all British based online gambling operators will be subject to regulation by the Gambling Commission which will include measures to prevent crime. In advance of the new legislation, a money laundering code of practice is being developed between the DCMS, law enforcement agencies and bookmakers to reinforce the present money laundering arrangements.