Regulation round-up 23 October 2012
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (17 October to 23 October 2012).
Reid-Kyl bill’s player penalties removed
Leaked draft of federal online poker bill favours existing US licensees and regulators that have “demonstrated capabilities relevant to the online poker environment”.
US Senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl have dropped language from their federal online poker bill penalising players from depositing funds at unlicensed sites.
The 73-page draft of the bill, obtained by the Poker Players Alliance on Friday and subsequently published by Quadjacks, contains no provisions permitting the government to seize money deposited or won at illegal sites.
In contrast, the summary of the bill which leaked last month stipulated: “To deter US players from patronizing illegal sites, the bill makes explicit that any property involved in or traceable to a gambling transaction in violation of the new act (including winnings) is subject to forfeiture.”
The bill states that to apply for an online poker licence, an operator must have owned a US casino for 180 days after the Act is passed, therefore favouring existing US land-based casino licensees. There is also a 15-month blackout period before any operator is allowed to go online.
EC to reveal egaming “action plan”
Delayed action plan aimed at “building a better framework for online gambling services in the EU”.
The European Commission will unveil its delayed egaming action plan aimed at “building a better framework for online gambling services in the EU” today, the Brussels body has announced.
Following the announcement industry lobby group the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) called for “hard action” from the Commission to “curb market fragmentation and protect consumers”. It described the Communication and Action Plan “ that was due to be presented last month “ as a “key test” as to whether or not the body would allow the fragmentation of the industry to continue or whether consumers would “continue to suffer different levels of protection” through the European Union.
“Will some consumers, and in particular children and the vulnerable, continue to suffer no protection at all, where a Member State closes the door to EU-regulated operators, thus encouraging consumers to look for non-regulated websites?,” it added.
Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “We deplore the situation today where we see 27 mini-markets for gambling in Europe. We are calling for the introduction of European rules to ensure proper protection for consumers and maintain a crime-free environment throughout the EU, while affording open, fair and transparent licensing conditions for EU-regulated operators.”
Seven days in regulation:
888 poised for Italian slots launch
888 is confident of being among the first wave of operators to be awarded an online slots licence in Italy, chief executive Brian Mattingley has revealed to eGaming Review.
The country’s regulatory authority AAMS has announced plans to issue licences in two specific windows during December, although slots with non-spinning reels are already permitted due to a loophole in the country’s legislation and have been released by the likes of GameAccount Network.
Mattingley said: “We are ready, we are compliant, and we will be in on the first wave without a doubt. We have spent a lot of time and resources on making sure we’re compliant and making sure we have our product ready to go.”
Unibet to offer online poker and casino in Belgium
Unibet has been permitted to offer online poker and casino in Belgium after the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) awarded an A+ egaming licence to its dot.be partner Blancas.
The Swedish-listed operator, which recently announced a sponsorship deal with Belgian football club Standard Liège, already offers online sports betting through its F1+ licence.
A Unibet spokesperson revealed to eGaming Review that while the licence is held by Blancas, a land-based Belgian-facing arm of Unibet’s JV partner Rank Group, the operator is able to exploit the licence on its dot.be platform.
Lads to cut ties with US-based affiliates
Ladbrokes has announced it will sever ties with all of its US-based affiliates by the end of the month, according to an email seen by eGaming Review.
The communication, first published by affiliate site AZ Online Casinos, says: “We regret to inform you that Ladbrokes and LBapuestas have taken the business decision to cease commercial partnerships with all of our affiliates based in the USA.” eGR understands, however, that the accounts of any players referred to the site by these affiliates will not be affected.
It has been suggested that the move could be interpreted as the operator clearing the decks ahead of a Nevada licence application, however a spokesman for the company told eGR that it was “not formally looking for a licence” in the Silver State or elsewhere in the country.
Boyd, Fertitta and Golden Nugget gain Nevada licences
Boyd Interactive Gaming, Fertitta Interactive and Golden Nugget have been approved for operator licences to offer online poker in Nevada following a Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) hearing.
In addition, Boyd and Fertitta were licensed as manufacturers, although the former will wait until London-listed operator bwin.party – which agreed a 15-year agreement with Boyd last year to use its technology platform in the US – is licensed by the NGC before launching its online offering.
In contrast, Fertitta is using its own technology, thanks to last year’s acquisition of CyberArts, and will aim to offer online poker under the Ultimate Gaming brand as soon as its systems are approved by one of Nevada’s independent testing labs. A freeplay poker game, Ultimate Poker, was launched on Facebook in July.