Regulation round-up 25 June 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (19 June to 25 June 2013)
Australian live odds ban proposed by parliamentary committee
The widespread promotion of online sports betting odds in Australia is set for review after a parliamentary committee made a series of recommendations to curb its “intrusive” nature.
The Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform said there should be a complete ban of live odds during the broadcast of games, and that a “urgent” review of the amount of betting promotion at sporting venues should be undertaken. The report into Advertising and Promotion of Gambling Services in Sport published yesterday follows a five-month inquiry into the effect of sports betting advertising.
Seven days in regulation:
French horseracing levy approved by EC
The European Commission has approved France’s introduction of a horseracing levy, following the implementation of changes which the EC believes “ensure fair competition” between operators.
The 8% levy, scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2014, will be imposed on stakes from horse betting in the dot.fr market, with proceeds going towards “a service to improve the bloodline and promote horse”breeding”.
Ongame decides to “discontinue Spanish operation”
Ongame has confirmed it has shut down its dot.es poker network and handed back its Spanish licence.
In a statement provided to eGaming Review, a spokesman for the Amaya-owned network confirmed the news, saying the decision had been made “in cooperation” with its partners in the market. While the spokesman did not confirm the reasons for the closure, it is understood that unprofitable levels of liquidity prompted the move.
GeoComply awarded Nevada licence
US-based geolocation firm GeoComply has been awarded a Nevada egaming licence after securing approval from the state’s Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission.
The company, which this year agreed a deal to incorporate its technology into fellow Nevada licensee Bally’s iGaming Platform, has been granted a service provider licence in the Silver State. It is the second geolocation provider to be awarded such a licence this month, after Aristotle International.
Poll results: New Jersey deadline to spark flurry of deals
New Jersey’s egaming market is about to spring into life with almost all of its casino licensees signing deals with online partners, say eGaming Review readers.
In response to this week’s poll, which asked how many Atlantic City operators would beat the 29 June deadline to announce such deals, almost half (48%) predicted that only a few would miss out.
However almost a quarter (22%) said that the deadline set by the state’s Division for Gaming Enforcement would prove too tough to beat and that only a few would seal deals in time. Aside from acquiring a casino outright, partnering with a land-based casino operator is the only way online gambling companies will be licensed to offer their gaming products under New Jersey law.
Andorra to regulate online gambling activities
The Andorran government has announced it will set up a new regulatory framework permitting gambling activities, both offline and online, in the country.
A draft version of the bill, presented by the Minister of the Presidency Antonio Riberaygua, includes the establishment of a new gambling regulator and a system for issuing licences to Andorran and foreign operators.
The European country, often considered a tax-haven and economically reliant on tourism, currently has no organised gambling industry.