Gambling sites face advert ban in the UK

UP TO 1000 gambling websites will be barred from advertising within the UK from September as the Department for Culture Media and Sport goes on the rampage.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, James Purnell, says the aim is to stop unregulated gambling sites trying to attract British customers.

Gambling outposts deemed too dodgy too advertise to Brits include Costa Rica, Belize, and the Netherlands Antilles.

The FT says that sites such as Littlewoodscasino.com, Betfred Casino and William Hill's online casino are among those affected by the ban. William Hill says it will shift its operation in order the be able to advertise itself.

The Government has vetted gambling locations to ensure their licensing regimes prevent children gambling, don't exploit the foolish and aren't open to abuse by money-laundering operations.

Only sites based in countries that are on a designated 'white list' will be allowed to advertise in the UK. The department is reviewing applications from Antigua and the Kahnawake reservation in Canada, which, with 500 and 400 licences respectively are the biggest gambling outposts on the planet.

"I make no apology for banning adverts for websites operating from places that don't meet our strict standards," said James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. "Protection is my number one priority," he blithered.

The move comes less than five months after UK authorities decided to allow gambling sites to advertise on television and radio. µ