Regulation round-up 03 July 2012
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (27 June to 03 July 2012).
Schleswig-Holstein Minister backs new licences
Andreas Breitner of the SPD says seven licensees safe and that a further four to six licences will soon be awarded.
Schleswig-Holstein’s new Minister for the Interior has insisted the state’s seven dot.de online gaming operators’ licences are safe and that he will look to sanction a further four to six new licensees from a backlog of more than 40 applicants.
Andreas Breitner of the SPD party, which recently formed a coalition with the Green party and South Schleswig Voter Federation following its narrow victory over Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), said the six-year long licences would not be cancelled as a result of the new government desire to return to the controversial state Treaty rejected by the European Commission earlier this year.
Breitner said more licenses would be awarded in the coming weeks and that the seven licences that have already been distributed would remain valid for six years suggesting cancelling them was “not realistic”.
“Because of legitimate expectations and the resulting damages we would to fulfil the contracts. We currently have 42 applications, some are ready for a decision,” said the minister. “I expect that another four to six licenses will be issued,” he added.
US government optimistic of Black Friday settlement
The United States government has requested an adjournment of several deadlines in the ongoing Black Friday case as it looks to bring settlement talks to a close.
In a letter addressed to Judge Leonard B Sand, the request calls for a “brief adjournment” and mentions the government’s desire “to facilitate, and hopefully, to successfully conclude, certain ongoing settlement communications.”
The deadlines cited in the letter “ signed on behalf of US district attorney Preet Bharara “ include those for motions to dismiss certain elements of the case and oppositions to all such motions.
Offshore Gambling Bill due for Jan 2013 hearing
The UK Offshore Gambling Bill calling for a point of consumption tax to be imposed on British-facing egaming operators will receive a second hearing in January 2013 and is “firmly on the path to becoming law”, according to the MP who introduced it.
The Offshore Gambling Bill, originally introduced by conservative Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock on 8 February last year, has received a date for its second reading on 25 January 2013.
This followed an announcement in July last year by John Penrose, Minister responsible for gambling policy and regulation, stating that all on and offshore operators selling services into the UK would in future have to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission if they wish to continue offering online gaming to UK customers.
Delaware Governor signs egaming bill into law
Governor Jack Markell has approved of a bill that legalises online gambling and more venues for sports betting in the First State.
Delaware today becomes the second state in the US to allow online gambling after Nevada, though while the latter has only authorised online poker, Delaware has also legalised online slots and table games.
The bill, HB 333, sponsored by Representative John Viola and backed by Governor Jack Markell, passed by 14 votes to six in a Senate session yesterday where it needed more than a 60% majority (13 votes) to pass.
Seven days in regulation:
Swedish minister pledges to introduce gambling legislation
The Swedish minister for financial markets has responded to calls for egaming legislation by stating that the government will propose a regulatory framework before the country’s next general election in 2014.
Speaking on national radio station Sveriges Radio on Friday afternoon, Peter Norman “ who is responsible for the country’s egaming market “ explained that while no decisions have yet been made on whether the market will be opened up to private operators or simply closed to companies other than the incumbent monopoly operator Svenska Spel, the key aim of legislation is to combat problem gambling and addiction.
German state treaty to take effect from 1 July
The German Bundestag has amended and passed the country’s Federal Horse Racing and Lottery Act, in turn introducing a 5% turnover tax on private online sports betting operators that will take effect on 1 July.
The news follows the ratification of Germany’s controversial Interstate Gambling Treaty eight days ago – allowing only 20 sports betting licences and imposing a restrictive turnover tax of 5% for private operators – signed by 14 of the country’s 15 signatory states. This will also come into effect in two days time. North Rhine-Westphalia is the only state aside from Schleswig-Holstein not to agree on the amendment, however according to sources this is due to the western state operating on a different timetable to other regions.
Commissioner calls for “more action” on pan-Euro regulation
The man responsible for attempting to harmonise European egaming regulation has called for less talk and “more action” to regulate and supervise online betting and gambling.
Michel Barnier, member of the European Commission responsible for Internal Market and Services outlined his plan to formulate a regulatory framework to help operators address the key issues facing the industry as soon as this autumn, telling a conference audience in Brussels this afternoon: “We have had the consultation and the ensuing discussion. Now is the time for action.”
NJ Senate approves mobile gaming in casinos
A bill allowing Atlantic City casino customers to gamble on mobile devices away from the gaming floors was approved by the New Jersey Senate yesterday.
The Senate voted 37-1 in favour of bill S 1323, three days after its companion bill AB 2575 passed in a 77-0 vote with two abstentions in the state Assembly, with the the bill now headed to Governor Chris Christie’s desk to be signed into law.
Denmark ISP ordered to block 12 sites
The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has had its move to block 12 unlicensed egaming operators’ sites upheld by a Frederiksberg court with internet service provider (ISP) 3 required to block the websites within a fortnight.
The websites are to be blocked after failing to respond or act on requests from the DGA to cease operating in the market, and include Betclic Everest subsidiary Bet-at-home and seven Playtech-powered sites.
Xenophon: Committee’s findings on social “pathetic”
Australian anti-gambling senator Nick Xenophon has described a Department of Communication report’s findings on social gaming as “pathetic,” claiming it has failed to acknowledge that such games “normalises” gambling to children.
Xenophon, who has been vocal in his criticism of the country’s gambling laws, is reported to have made a submission to the Department of Communication, seen by local newspaper The Australian, in which he calls on the department to “address a glaring loophole in the current Act that allows children to access gambling-style games on their phones and on social media sites.”
Riskervisionen report may open Swedish gaming market
The Swedish National Audit Office (Riskrevisionen) has concluded its two-year investigation into the Swedish gambling market recommending the government officially opens up the sector to private operators and potentially paving the way of the introduction of regulation.
LGA suspends 5050poker licence
The Maltese Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has suspended the remote gaming licence held by Swedish operator 5050poker for undisclosed reasons.
AAMS posts strongest monthly figures to date for 2012
The Italian regulator L’Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato (AAMS) has revealed that the country’s egaming industry has enjoyed its most successful months for the year to date, just days after announcing gross gaming revenue growth had slowed to 0.2% during the first five months of the year.
Bet-at-home awarded Italian licence
Betclic Everest subsidiary bet-at-home has been awarded an Italian operating licence following the completion of a successful trial run of the platform.
Italy to begin testing period for virtual sports
Italian regulator AAMS has announced it is to launch of a trial period for virtual sports in order to formulate a regulatory framework for the product, in draft legislation published today.