Regulation round-up 19 March 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (13 March to 19 March 2013).
Bwin.party CEO: New Jersey “could be between us and Caesars”
Operator not pursuing Nevada licensure as actively, though CEO admits a Nevada licence could help with progress in California – Norbert Teufelberger expects two horse race in NJ if PokerStars fails to secure licence.
The regulated New Jersey could be a head-to-head contest between bwin.party and Caesars if PokerStars fails to secure approval in the Garden State, according to the London-listed operator’s chief executive.
Norbert Teufelberger described PokerStars’ New Jersey push as “their all-in card in the US”, saying “They have already been excluded from Nevada and there will probably be language in other states’ regulations which excludes them.
“If PokerStars don’t get in [to New Jersey] it will really just be between us and Caesars,” he added, while noting that bwin.party would be meeting with New Jersey’s regulators next week.
Teufelberger said “There are only seven potential players in New Jersey – Caesars, Boyd [with bwin.party] and five others – and it is important to be there from the start
While he said “It is not for us to decide [whether Stars get a New Jersey licence]”, the CEO made reference to recent comments from the American Gaming Association (AGA) which called for the Isle of Man licensed operator not to be allowed into New Jersey due to its history of “systematically flouting US law”.
Full Tilt loses French licence as Rekop liquidation process opens
Rekop Limited, the company through which Full Tilt Poker held a licence in France until July 2011, has officially been stripped of its dot.fr accreditation.
Regulatory authority ARJEL made the decision after receiving confirmation that the business was being placed into liquidation, shortly after a similar process was initiated for another of the former Full Tilt companies, Pocket Kings.
After acquiring various FTP assets last year, PokerStars owner Rational Group announced that it would not be pursuing dot.country licensure for the brand in any of the territories where PokerStars itself was already licensed. In addition to France, these include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Italy and Spain.
Seven days in regulation:
eGR North America launches New Jersey event
With the recent signing of the New Jersey online gaming bill, the opportunities for land-based operators in The Garden State are now substantial. But how do they now best capitalise on these opportunities? And how do they successfully launch an online gaming business and reap the potentially massive rewards?
At New Jersey: Open for business, the new briefing from eGR North America, delegates will have the chance to learn about the key strategic and operational issues they need to consider to develop a successful online gaming business.
Nevada Gaming Commission calls for interstate input
Nevada’s Gaming Commission has called on the state’s licensees and other interested parties to help address issues concerning interstate gaming regulations.
Recent amendments to Assembly Bill 114 requires the state’s Gaming Commission to adopt regulations to permit compact agreements with “other states or agencies” in order to pool player liquidity.
Playtech “in advanced discussions” with US partners
Playtech is in “advanced discussions” with a number of potential US partners with chief executive Mor Weizer refusing to admit the business is “behind the curve” in the three states that have so far passed intrastate egaming legislation.
Suggesting there would be “no imminent” announcement on its strategy in the United States, Weizer said the company was pursuing a number of different avenues in the country with New Jersey offering the most potential for the gaming software and services business.
Australia gaming law report calls for greater player protection
A review of Australia’s online gambling laws has led to a wide-ranging set of recommendations around stricter consumer protection, education and advertising guidelines.
The report into the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), published today by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, found that the law is failing to reduce the harm problem gambling can cause.
New York Senate eyes online poker regulation
New York Senators have proposed the regulation of online poker as part of this year’s budget.
Senate co-leaders Jeff Klein and Dean Skelos included language in the budget document which stated: “The Senate supports authorising and regulating internet gaming for games of skill, including poker, to reflect recent changes in the classification of these games.”
DoJ appoints Full Tilt claims administrator
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has named New York-based Garden City Group as the claims administrator overseeing the repayment of Full Tilt Poker’s US player funds.
The appointment comes more than seven months after PokerStars’ agreement with the DoJ to acquire selected assets of Full Tilt and repay its former rival’s non-US players, and two months after the justice department’s estimated date.