Regulation round-up 14 May 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (8 May to 14 May 2013)
Exclusive: German licences may be delayed “until 2014″
Wiesbaden administrative court rules unclear licensing process may force total rethink of procedure
A landmark ruling against the Ministry of the Interior of Hesse looks set delay the awarding of German sports betting licences until 2014, eGaming Review can exclusively reveal.
eGR understands that legal proceedings initiated by BetVictor over the Ministry’s handling of the licensing process may force a total rethink, leading to extended delays in the opening of the market. At the time of writing, the Ministry was unavailable for comment.
Hesse, the state responsible for handling the licensing procedure, held a series of initial consultations over 18 “ 26 March, to which around 10 operators and four other parties were invited to present their plans for operating a sportsbook in Germany.
UK Gambling Bill gets first reading
The United Kingdom’s new gambling legislation received its first reading last Thursday.
The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill was announced last week during the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
eGaming Review has also received confirmation from the UK Treasury that a consultation process over potential tax rates is “ongoing”, with the findings to be announced “in due course”.
Seven days in regulation:
Leading egaming execs call for strong Gambling Bill enforcement
Egaming operators have told eGaming Review the UK Gambling (licensing and advertising) bill will drive companies into the black market if the imposed tax rate is uncompetitive.
The legislation was announced last week during the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament and received its first reading.
SkyBet managing director Richard Flint suggested that a sensible rate of tax would aid this enforcement. Rather than the 15% rate, Flint said that “7.5% would be a reasonable compromise” which would “ensure enforcement”. The UK Treasury confirmed today a consultation process over potential tax rates is ongoing, with the findings to be announced soon.
Italy exchange regulations to come into force this month
Italy’s exchange betting regulations are due to come into force in two weeks’ time, after they were published in the country’s Official Gazette yesterday.
The Italian finance minister approved an exchange betting decree in March, nine months after the decree was approved by the European Commission. This week’s publication provides “general rules on remote fixed odds betting with direct interaction between players, on sporting events and non-sporting events”.
Turkey set to crack down on unlicensed operators
Turkey is to introduce new legislation to crack down on illegal betting by targeting players for the first time alongside operators and financial institutions.
A draft bill to be heard in the Turkish parliament will introduce severe punishments across the board, with players caught betting via illegal sites liable to be hit with a fine up to 500,000 Turkish Lira (£180,000). Intermediaries who enable Turkish citizens to gamble on unlicensed sites, and those who process payments for such operators will be sentenced to prison terms.
Australian PM candidate pledges live odds ad ban
Australian prime ministerial candidate Tony Abbott has pledged to introduce a ban on the broadcast of live odds during sporting events should he win September’s federal election.
Abbott, who is heading up a coalition of the country’s Liberal and National parties, told newspaper The Australian that the level of gambling advertising around sports was “a significant social nuisance”. He added that while the coalition was “natural deregulators”, it was important that the government should “at least be prepared to step in” to tackle the issue.
888 first operator to fall foul of new Italian ad restrictions
A television advertisement for 888’s Italian slot offering has become the first to be ruled to be in breach of Italy’s new gambling advertising regulations.
The ad showed a player gambling on a slot game, and being showered with gold coins when they hit the jackpot. This was seen as giving viewers the false expectation that gambling was a way to make money quickly, which in turn would prompt people to underestimate the risks of gambling addiction.