World News

Licensed on the Rock

In October 200 the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority Act established the commission that holds responsibility for “regulating the electronic communications sector in Gibraltar.” Under this group’s authority, companies and individuals may establish telephone, Internet, mobile voice and data, television, radio and satellite systems according to strict laws.
One of the key elements of this authority is the establishment of the commission as “the national supervisory and regulatory authority for these sectors in accordance with EU law which has been transposed into national law.” The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) set its mission to enhance competition with these industries by authorizing and licensing companies who provide service for residential and business locations. The basic policy of the commission is to move Gibraltar to the level of “world-class telecommunications centre.”
Why is all of this legal authority important? It provides the foundation for the Gambling Act of 2005, in addition to the Communications Act of 2006, both of which apply to the exploding world of online gambling. The GRA issues remote gambling licenses. Its Web site lists more than 20 license holders but the site also notes that licenses are “generally difficult to obtain.” Among the license holders are PartyGaming, 32Red, Mansion, Ladbrokes and 888.com.