Regulation round-up 19 April 2016
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (13 April to 19 April 2016)
Czech Republic passes law to welcome foreign operators
Paddy Power Betfair considers entry as country passes legislation which taxes sports betting at 23% of gross win
The Czech Republic is set to open its doors to foreign online gambling operators for the first time next year after its parliament ratified a new tax and regulatory framework.
The licensing regime, which will replace legislation dating back to 1990, was signed by the country’s lower house and is expected to go live in January 2017, subject to approval from President Milo?? Zeman.
Under the new legislation, online sports betting will be taxed at 23% of gross win, lower than the 25% rate originally proposed by the minister of finance, while online slots will be taxed at 35%.
The 23% figure was described as a “win for the gambling lobby” by finance minister Andrej Babis, citing successful lobbying attempts from operators such as Fortuna and Sazka over the last few months.
RGSB publishes problem gambling strategy
The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) has published a new responsible gambling strategy designed to minimise gambling related harm over the next three years
The new plan, features 12 ‘priority actions’, including raising awareness about forthcoming multi-operator self-exclusion plans, improving methods of identifying harmful play and piloting new forms of intervention such as customer interaction or debit card blocking.
The strategy was produced with input from the Gambling Commission following a public consultation last year.
Seven days in regulation:
Firms operating in Dutch grey market could miss out on licence
Operators accepting sport bets or advertising their services in the Netherlands this summer could find themselves excluded from the licensing process when the market becomes regulated next year, the Dutch gaming authority has warned.
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) published the warning after it received reports that several operators were planning advertising campaigns around the summer’s sporting events, including Euro 2016, the Tour de France and the Olympics.
“The Gambling Authority wants to avoid operators using the summer’s sports to lure customers into betting in the Netherlands,” said a statement from the KSA.
Gala becomes first bingo brand to join Senet Group
Gala Bingo has joined its sports betting counterparts to become the first bingo brand member of the UK’s responsible gambling body, the Senet Group.
The self-regulatory group announced that the brand’s retail business, Gala Leisure, and online arm, Gala Interactive, have followed the likes of Paddy Power Betfair, William Hill and Ladbrokes in joining the industry watchdog.
“Today marks an important milestone as more sectors from across the gambling industry recognise the importance of promoting responsible gambling standards,” Wanda Goldwag, chair of the Senet Group, said.
Sky Vegas and bet-at-home reprimanded by ASA
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) and bet-at-home have been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over a “misleading” advert and an “irresponsible” tweet.
SB&G had its knuckles wrapped for running an advert on its Sky Vegas website that stated: “NO LOSE MONTH THROUGHOUT JANUARY.”
Further text read: “Play Risk Free throughout January at Sky Vegas – Terms Apply.”
GB Gambling Commission adds five commissioners to board
The UK government’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed five new commissioners to the Great Britain Gambling Commission, the regulator announced yesterday.
The new commissioners – John Baillie, Stephen Cohen, Sarika Patel, Simone Pennie and Catharine Seddon – join the board with immediate effect and are the first to be named since John Whittingdale MP became Culture Secretary last year.
The Gambling Commission board now consists of 13 members, including the regulator’s new CEO Sarah Harrison, with today’s additions bringing experience from a range of sectors including finance and the NHS.
Online gaming bill introduced in Michigan
Michigan has thrown its hat in the ring to be the next state to legalise and regulate online casino and poker games after a bill was introduced to the legislature on Friday.
The bill – SB 889 – has been introduced by Senator Mike Kowall and referred to the Committee of Regulatory Reform.
Dubbed the ‘Lawful Internet Gaming Act’, if passed into law the legislation would grant up to eight online poker and casino licenses to the state’s casinos and tribal operators.