A UK-based payment and financial services provider has scooped a prestigious award at the World Online Gambling Summer Retreat in Hampshire, UK.

On Monday June 25th 2007, SecureTrading's parent company, UC Group was awarded the ‘Best Supporting Company to the Gambling Industry, 2007’ by the World Online Gambling Law Report, the organisation staging this year’s event.

This year’s programme focused on gambling 2.0 where industry leaders, regulators and advisors congregated for thought provoking discussions and debate around the rapidly evolving global online gambling market.

UC Group provides a crucial supporting role to the online gambling industry by ensuring the security and reliability of all payments and a safe and secure online environment in which to gamble.

In April 2007 the company, in partnership with Baker Tilly, launched the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling initiative (http://www.safeandsecureig.org/) in support of the new bill filed in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Barney Frank – the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007.

Included in the initiative is the companion Tax Bill (the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act) introduced earlier this month by Congressman Jim McDermott which contains a new concept of taxation for the online gambling industry.

The two bills aim to provide a legal framework for both US and non-US companies to establish online gambling operations in the USA, something which is currently prevented by last year’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Kobus Paulsen, CEO of UC Group, said: “As consumers are increasingly choosing to gamble online, this has become a rapidly growing market and we are thoroughly committed to ensuring that our Online Gambling clients and their players can trade safely, securely and with financial integrity.

“We are delighted to receive recognition from the gambling industry of the importance of this support that we provide.”

SecureTrading, a subsidiary of UC Group, enables thousands of internet and mail order businesses to accept credit, debit and other payment cards online. The company ensures the secure capture, authorisation and settlement of millions of transactions each year. As a payment service provider (PSP) its services are crucial to its clients’ success and require a high degree of security and reliability. Its clients range from large corporates to SMEs and operate in many markets including retail, leisure, entertainment and the public sector.

Lindsey Greig, managing editor of World Online Gambling Law Report, said: “UC Group, as well as being a well respected payments services supplier to the industry, has been at the forefront of the campaign to create a legislative framework for the regulation of the industry in the US.”