Section 331: Foreign gambling
813.This section makes it an offence to advertise non-EEA (or “foreign”) gambling. Foreign gambling is gambling which either physically takes place in a non-EEA state (e.g. a casino in Australia), or gambling by remote means which is not regulated by the gambling law of any EEA state (the interpretation section in Part 18 defines “EEA state”). For the purposes of this section, Gibraltar is treated as if it is an EEA state, which will allow gambling operators based in Gibraltar to advertise their services in the United Kingdom. The offence covers advertising of gambling whether the advertising takes place by remote or non-remote means, and sections 332 and 333 make specific provision about this. This section extends to Northern Ireland.
814.The offence does not apply to lotteries. Part 11 of the Act contains separate provisions relating to the advertising of foreign lotteries.
815.It will be open to the Secretary of State, however, to make regulations specifying countries or places which are to be treated as though they were EEA states for the purposes of this section. The effect of this will be to put any advertising of gambling taking place in that country or place outside the scope of the offence.
816.The maximum penalty upon conviction for an offence under this section is a term of imprisonment of 51 weeks in England and Wales (6 months in Scotland and Northern Ireland), together with a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale.
