Regulation round-up 15 October 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (9 October to 15 October 2013)
Borgata awarded New Jersey’s first internet gambling permit
New Jersey casino’s site will undergo a five day trial period from 21 November, bwin.party confident of going live on day one
The Borgata Hotel & Casino has received the first internet gambling permit from New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) with the site due to begin a five-day trial period on 21 November pending a licence from its online partner bwin.party.
The DGE said the casino, which has partnered with bwin.party to provide its online platform, was the first to file a complete application to offer online gambling in the garden state and both Borgata and bwin.party are confident of going live on day one.
“We are honored to receive New Jersey’s first Internet gaming permit,” said Tom Ballance, president and coo of Borgata Hotel & Casino. “Borgata and bwin.party are aggressively pursuing our objective of being among the first to launch online gaming in the state.
A spokeman for bwin.party said the supplier had yet to receive its license from the DGE but was confident it would do so before online gaming goes live in the state on 26 November.
Dutch gaming bill to be introduced “next spring”
The Dutch Gambling Authority Kansspelautoriteit has revealed it intends to introduce a gambling bill next spring.
A Kansspelautoriteit spokesperson confirmed to eGaming Review that it had supervised the bill, still in its conceptual phase, with the Dutch Ministry of Justice now responsible for its introduction.
The regulator revealed the proposed date for the bill during a roundtable event at this year’s EiG conference, held in Barcelona.
Seven days in regulation:
Italian regulator warns suppliers over ‘unacceptable’ behaviour
Italy’s gambling regulator has called on online gaming providers to halt their “unacceptable” supply of games to unlicensed operators or risk being hit with new regulatory measures.
Last week, eGaming Review reported that Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (AAMS) was considering a move which would see online gaming providers required to apply for a remote gaming licence to help tackle the country’s black market.
AAMS head of remote gambling Francesco Rodano has since told eGR that although viewed as a last-resort, the option could move quickly up the agenda unless suppliers prevent their B2C customers from targeting Italy.
Norway moves towards liberalised gambling regulation
The new Norwegian government has announced plans to liberalise the country’s gambling industry and allow foreign operators into the market in an attempt to increase tax revenue from the sector.
A centre-right coalition government was formed this week between the Conservative Party and Progress Party on a platform promising liberalisation through lower taxes and cutting back on excessive regulation.
In a document outlining its political agenda, the coalition declared offline poker tournaments with limited stakes would become legal for the first time and that it would study a private model for the country’s gambling industry.
Discussions “still to be had” on Dutch gambling bill
Crucial discussions surrounding details of the Dutch gambling bill are “still to be had”, but the country remains on track to regulate online gambling in time for a 1 January 2015 launch.
Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice spokesman Jaap Oversteer confirmed to eGaming Review that the country’s Council of Ministers will discuss the bill before the end of the year.
The draft bill, published by the Dutch Gambling Authority earlier this year, has been added to following a consultation period that sought feedback from domestic banks, legislators, charities and online securities firms.
Poker operators granted extension in Nevada
Three operators have been granted more time to launch their real-money online poker platforms in Nevada after gaining an extension from the regulator.
MGM Resorts International, Boyd Gaming and Golden Nugget appeared on the agenda for the 9 October meeting of the state’s three-member Gaming Control Board requesting an extension.
All three were awarded a license by state regulators last autumn, but are yet to announce an official launch date for their real money sites.
Swedish newspapers to challenge egaming marketing injunctions
Two of Sweden’s biggest national newspapers are set to challenge injunctions issued by the Swedish Gambling Authority (Lotteriinspektionen) for linking to foreign gambling companies on their websites.
An order issued by the regulator last month found the Aftonbladet and Expressen newspapers in breach of the Swedish Lottery Act and were required to pay a fine of SEK45,000 (£4,340) per day until the links were removed.
However, speaking with eGaming Review this morning, a spokesperson for Lotteriinspektionen said both newspapers were yet to remove the links and were challenging the decision, hinting at the possibility of the case being brought before the European Court.
Gamcare claims smartphones increase youth gambling problems
A rise in the use of smartphones by young people has led to a significant increase in the number of problem gamblers, according to a report by GamCare.
The gambling charity’s new survey, first seen by Radio 1’s Newsbeat show, showed a 6.5% in the number of 18-35 year-olds contacting GamCare last year, with the charity citing smartphone-use and the growth of online betting as key reasons for the increase.
During the 12 month period 5,552 people in the 18-35 age group contacted GamCare, up from 5,215 in the previous year, which accounted for 63% of all calls and was an increase for the third consecutive year.