The latest chapter in the ongoing regulation of the online gambling industry has, as previous chapters, evolved around the UK. The upcoming date on which the regulatory bill will take effect in the country has been the focus of online casino operators and players alike.

One of the components of the UK online gambling bill is a ban on advertising, in any media in the country, of sites that are not white listed. Making it on the White List is a privilege that will be restricted, keeping out online casinos, poker room, bingo sites and all betting providers online that do not keep with the standards set by the UK. This spells out to be, by and large, sites located within the EU.

Malta is one such lucky country - lucky to be part of the EU. According to the Malta Times, no less than 27 international companies are shifting their online operations in anticipation of the new bill to the island, this very month.

If the 36 other internet gambling operators are accepted, the total number of gambling companies that operate on the island will rise from 84, currently, to 147, a large number by any standard, certainly for the small territory. This spells out immediately to a substantial rise in revenue in taxation and license fees. It is also a source for jobs and international attention, drawing investment, tourism and other benefits to the country.

Malta and Gibraltar, another white listed territory, are within EEA jurisdiction. Only two non-EEA countries are currently on the list - Alderney and the Isle of Man. Elsewhere, Curacao, Kahnawake and Antigua are in the progress of negotiating their acceptance onto the list, which will help them keep hosting sites on their land, much like the Malta success story.