Regulation round-up 11 October 2016
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (5 October to 11 October 2016)
UK government mulls TV advertising review
Upcoming review into FOBTs could be extended to include TV advertising and social media marketing
The UK government is considering using its upcoming review of fixed-odds betting terminals to also examine the rules around gambling advertising on television.
Last week, The Times reported the government was preparing to call time on TV advertising before the watershed, primarily due to concerns around the industry’s exposure to “growing numbers of children”.
Speaking to The Times, an unnamed senior government minister said “the gambling industry’s luck has run out” with daytime advertising of bingo and TV spots around sporting events to be prohibited.
The report also stated problem gambling in the UK had “almost doubled” in three years from 0.4% to 0.7% – although EGR notes a recent study commissioned by the Gambling Commission found problem gambling rates had remained static at 0.5% for the past three years.
GBGA to get PoC update in December
The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association’s bid to overturn the UK’s decision to apply a Point of Consumption tax could receive a boost in December after a central matter concerning the case was heard by a European court last week.
On Tuesday 4 October, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) heard from both sides of the debate after the UK asked for clarification on Gibraltar’s status within the UK, specifically on whether Gibraltar and the UK should be treated as a single member state when applying EU law.
The GBGA has long argued that the 15% levy is an unlawful restriction on the supply of services to the UK, as prohibited by Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
However, Article 56 is only applicable to individual member states and the UK government contests whether Gibraltar’s position as a British-owned territory, and not an EU member state, means European law should not be applied in this instance.
Seven days in regulation:
LeoVegas spins into Denmark following licence success
LeoVegas will launch its mobile-focused products into Denmark’s regulated market within the coming weeks after the firm was granted a Danish gaming licence.
The operator said the move was part of its long-term growth plan and ambition to offer “the greatest gaming experience” to a wider audience.
The company has put together a team with experience in digital marketing and the Danish gaming market ahead of the autumn launch.
William Hill warned over Brexit free bet promo
William Hill has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over an online advertisement it ran on the day of the EU Referendum which promoted a “misleading” free bet offer.
The promotion in question appeared on 23 June on the William Hill site and stated: “BET £10 GET £20 FREE CREDITED AS 2 X £10 BETS PROMO CODE: F20 EU REFERENDUM BETTING NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY *Wagering and Terms Apply.”
The promotion was subject to a complaint after it did not disclose the bet needed to be placed on a selection with odds greater than 1.5 in the main body of the ad.