Regulation round-up 19 February 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (13 February to 19 February 2013).
Switzerland could liberalise egaming law
The Swiss Federal Council (pictured) could be open to allowing online gambling “under certain conditions”, the body announced in a statement last week.
It is now working with representatives at federal and canton (state) level with the ultimate goal of bringing all real-money gambling in the country under a single law.
Among the matters to be discussed are the possibility that “The organizers of gambling should be required to take appropriate precautions to minimize the dangers of gambling addiction,” with egaming to be regulated “Basically to the same rules and criteria as outside the Internet.” A consultation on the matter is set to open in the second half of this year.
The federal council also expresses its desire “To prevent illegal online games being offered, ensuring access is not given to sites without protection against gambling addiction.”
Representatives of law enforcement agencies across the cantons and federal government will be brought together to form a coordinating body whose task will be “To institutionalize the exchange of views and cooperation between the federal authorities and the cantons.”
Exclusive: Holland Casino issues RFP for online services
Operator prepares for online launch alongside government egaming regulation “ sets deadline of 25 February for applications.
Holland Casino has taken its first step towards launching an egaming offering by issuing an RFP for online services, and with only a 10-day window in which to submit applications, the move is set to spark a frenetic bidding war as suppliers compete to gain a dominant position in the soon-to-be-regulated Dutch market.
The tender document seen by eGaming Review sets out the monopoly operator’s plans to launch a freeplay online casino, bingo and poker offering by the end of 2013 and real-money versions as soon as it is legally able to do so.
The Dutch government recently announced plans to regulate online gambling in the jurisdiction and is expected to introduce a draft framework for consultation in April with a finalised law approved in parliament by the end of the year. It is expected that the market will be fully operational by 2015.
The document states that Holland Casino, which will be sold by the government as part of its privatisation plans, will enter into a contract with a single partner for all online services.
New Jersey regulated market worth $410m in first year, data claims
The first year of a regulated egaming industry in New Jersey would generate a gross win of as much as US$410m, increasing to $590m four years later, data specialist H2 Gambling Capital has estimated in the forthcoming issue of eGaming Review.
With just 11 days to go until the New Jersey Senate is expected to vote to send Senator Raymond Lesniak’s revised S1565 egaming bill to Governor Chris Christie’s desk for final sign-off, H2’s revised numbers estimate that assuming a 1 January 2014 start date the first year of regulated online gambling activity “ all products currently provided by its Atlantic City land-based casinos including poker and casino and tables games “ would generate a gross win of approximately $410m with this increasing to just under $590m by 2018.
In the first five years of operation, H2’s revised forecast suggests that poker would account for 30% of the state’s gross win, with other table games and slots accounting for the remainder.
Seven days in regulation:
Last minute Nevada licence fee hike could derail interstate plans
A last minute bill proposing to double the fee for an interactive Nevada gaming licence is threatening to derail plans to legalise interstate compacts, with sources suggesting it will fail to garner enough bi-partisan support to be passed.
Earlier this month Governor Brian Sandoval called for a bill to be introduced to allow for the state’s licensed egaming operators to accept wagers from other states and that it should be passed within 30 days, saying that New Jersey’s imminent egaming regulation means “the need to act quickly has become even more important”.
However Assemblyman William Horne, the politician tasked by Sandoval to get interstate legislation through as quickly as possible, yesterday proposed the licence fee should increase from $500,000 to $1m, and the renewal fee to $500,000 from $250,000.
Spain opens consultation process on exchange and slots
Spanish regulatory authority La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has announced its intention to open a consultation aimed at deciding whether or not to regulated online slots and/or exchange betting.
The body has explained that the introduction of such products will be dependent on their ability to meet certain criteria on matters such as the prevention of problem and underage gambling and the protection of player funds.
It has invited “Examples and empirical evidence of best international practices in relation to this type of game,” as well as contributions offering “An analysis of costs and benefits, quantifying their impact, and an assessment of the potential direct and indirect effects on society as a whole.”
Penn. egaming bill could be introduced this week
Pennsylvania Representative and Democrat Tina Davis hopes to introduce the state’s first ever online gambling bill in the House of Representatives later this week.
Davis’ proposal would initially legalise online poker and blackjack, while only existing slot and table game licence holders would be authorised to host an internet offering.
Sports betting drives Danish Q4 growth
Strong quarter-on-quarter increases in sports betting revenue has regulated online gambling reach more than DKK2bn (£230m) in 2012, according to the latest results from the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA).
Sports betting attracted DKK355m in the fourth quarter compared to DKK270m in the third and DKK265m in the second. Overall sportsbook revenues for 2012 totalled almost DKK1.3bn.
Bet-at-home loses Belgium blacklisting appeal
Betclic Everest brand bet-at-home has lost its appeal against its inclusion on the Belgian Gaming Commission’s (BGC) blacklist of unlicensed operators.
The Malta and Schleswig-Holstein licensed company had argued that its blacklisting and associated internet service provider (ISP) blocks had violated its rights to free speech and free commerce in the EU Member State.
(photo via Monika Flückiger under Creative Commons licence)