On the one hand, the UK decided to allow for online gambling sites to operate and for British citizens to play and gamble on the sites. This goes hand in hand with a comprehensive effort to regulate the industry as a whole, protect underage gamblers, help problem gamblers, enforce strict guidelines and other similar efforts that will keep the industry viable and honest.

On the other hand, the efforts apply to local, UK operated online casinos, if for protectionist interest or for the simple reason that policing the entire global online gambling industry is practically impossible.

The latest development in this process has had about 1,000 such gambling sites based outside of the UK banned from advertising in the country. The ban is to come into force on September 1. Broadcasters and publishers – those based online and others – will face either fines or even prison sentences for breaching the ban.

Meanwhile, there is also a "white list" on gambling sites that can advertise in the UK, namely local and European sites. Their TV, radio, Internet and print media ads will thus enjoy a boost in validity, as the operators receive the government approval in a back-door way. To post any ads, these operators would have had to show that they abide by the UK's strict regulations.

Behind the ban is UK Culture, Media and Sport Minister James Purnell. It is part of the greater online gambling bill. Secretary Purnell justified the measures as a necessary means to protect English punters from "websites operating from places that don't meet our strict standards."