Regulation round-up 10 September 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (4 September to 10 September 2013)
Italian MPs in mix-up over proposed one-year gaming ban
Motion passed in Senate includes existing operators as well as new market entrants to surprise of MPs
Confusion reigned in Italy yesterday after the government was defeated in a motion which could see all online gaming activity banned for a period of 12 months.
eGaming Review understands that some MPs believed the ban, if enacted, would only impact on operators looking to enter the market for the first time. However, according to a leading gaming lawyer, the ban would also include existing operators.
“According to what has been declared by MPs, the vote was given in a very chaotic session at the Parliament,” DLA Piper senior counsel Guilio Coraggio told eGR.
“Indeed, while according to the initial statements the ban had to refer to new gaming venues, this in fact covered both current and future online platform and electronic gaming systems located in public places.”
If implemented, the one-year ban would come at a severe cost to the Italian public purse at a time of economic uncertainty. Tax entries for the Italian gaming market during the first six months of 2013 totalled 7.5bn.
Gibraltar operator body joins EGBA
The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) has partnered with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) to become the first national member of the EU body.
The affiliate partnership will aim to help EU policy makers gain a greater understanding of the Gibraltar egaming market and provide a platform for the industry to input on important matters at an international level.
The GBGA chief executive Peter Howitt, who took up his post earlier this year, said the body was delighted with the deal which he believes will benefit the GBGA’s 23 current members.
“Partnership with the EGBA will allow us to work in tandem with the EGBA to better represent Gibraltar gaming operators in the EU on key issues relating to consumer protection, anti-money laundering and effective regulation within the context of an increasingly competitive environment,” he said.
Seven days in regulation:
Deutsche Telekom proposes Deutsche Sportwetten acquisition
Global telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom is seeking to enter the German sports betting market through the potential acquisition of Deutsche Sportwetten GmbH.
The German Federal Cartel Office lists the proposed acquisition of a majority share in the company, which was founded last August, as having been registered on 4 September 2013.
Deutsche Sportwetten is one of more than 100 companies to have applied for one of 20 licences to offer sports betting services in the country under the First Amendment to the Interstate Treaty on Gaming, which paved the way for a restricted market opening after it came into force last July.