Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his Answer of 8 September 2020 to Question 81831 on Gambling: Regulation, what his Department's policy is on the distinction between (a) grey and (b) black gambling markets; and whether Northern Ireland is considered a (i) grey or (ii) black market for gambling.

Jurisdictions in which there are not clear laws on the legality of gambling are often referred to as grey markets. Jurisdictions where gambling is clearly and unambiguously prohibited by law are often referred to as black markets.

Northern Ireland is not considered either a grey market or a black market for gambling. Gambling activity in Northern Ireland is a devolved issue regulated under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985. The law is enforceable by the Northern Irish authorities such as the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

There is no provision for licensing online gambling in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985 but under section 5 of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 online operators who wish to advertise their services in Northern Ireland must hold a licence from the Gambling Commission. The Department of Communities for Northern Ireland completed a consultation on gambling regulation in February 2020.