Regulation round-up 1 August 2017
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (25 July to 1 August 2017)
Gibraltar forms Brexit working group with DCMS and Gambling Commission
Chief minister Fabian Picardo says meetings “will lead to an enhanced egaming trading relationship” between Gibraltar and UK
The UK and Gibraltar governments have set up a Brexit working group to discuss how leaving the EU will affect remote gambling operators on the Rock.
The ‘Inter-Governmental Working Group on Online Gambling’ includes the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Gambling Commission, as well as private sector advisors and Gibraltar’s gambling minister Albert Isola.
Chief minister Fabian Picardo told EGR Intel the first meeting, held this week, “kick-started a process which will lead to an enhanced online gaming trading relationship between Gibraltar and the UK”.
“It is the result of requests made to the UK government further to the Brexit referendum result last year,” Picardo explained.
Gambling Commission empowers punters with new disputes resolution service
The Gambling Commission has announced the introduction of a new service that aims to guide punters through disputes with operators.
The regulator has come to an agreement with a third-party service called Resolver, which describes itself as “a free tool to help consumers raise and resolve issues”
Resolver offers template complaint letters and technology to automate the complaints process, including drafting the letter, sending it, monitoring replies and escalating it if necessary.
From 1 August, punters will be able to use Resolver to make complaints, with the Commission asking companies to provide information to the site about their complaints and disputes processes.
GoWild secures UK licence
GoWild has announced plans to launch in the UK after securing a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
A company statement said the move was “a marked step forward in the company’s express goal of further expanding into regulated gaming markets”.
GoWild CEO Itai Zak added: “The UK is one of the biggest, oldest, and most respected gaming communities in the world, and operating there will allow us to increase our exposure, reach new audiences, and improve the local gaming experience.”
“We look forward to opening our virtual doors in the UK, and successfully serving the local gaming needs,” he added.
Coral and LeoVegas hit with ad bans
Coral and LeoVegas were both hit with advertising bans by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) on Wednesday.
Coral’s case centred on a TV ad from April showing stylised clips of characters playing football with a voice-over saying: “The beautiful game, you can watch it or you can get involved in it with the latest Coral action. So are you a spectator or are you a player? You decide.”
Two complainants challenged whether the ad was harmful because it implied gambling was better than watching the sport.
The ASA upheld the complaints, adding: “The ASA considered the overall tone of the ad implied that gambling was more exciting than being a spectator or playing the game.