Regulation round-up 26 January 2016
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (20 January to 26 January 2016)
Operators asked for views on Lads-Coral merger
Competition and Markets Authority writes to industry to garner opinion on likely impact of proposed combination
The government department tasked with deciding whether the Ladbrokes and Gala Coral merger can go ahead has written to the operators’ UK rivals to seek their views on what impact the proposed combination could have on market.
As part of its phase two investigation into the deal, which recently commenced 25 working days ahead of schedule, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) must determine whether the merger would lead to a “significant lessening of competition”.
And to help it arrive at a decision, the CMA last week contacted executives at some of Ladbrokes’ and Gala Coral’s competitors and requested they complete a 15-part questionnaire by 29 January.
Among the questions, seen by eGaming Review, execs were asked whether the merger would have an impact on the quality of product offered by the enlarged firm, and whether a hike in prices would see retail customers transfer some or all of their business online.
Unibet and bet365 plead guilty to Aus advertising breach
Unibet and bet365 were last week found guilty of breaching New South Wales’ (NSW) advertising laws as the Australian state continues its crackdown on illegal gambling advertising.
The two online gambling companies were prosecuted by the NSW’s Office of Liqour, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) and found guilty by the Downing Centre Local Court for a total of five breaches, all related to the offer of gambling inducements.
Following the decision Unibet, which pleaded guilty to three advertising breaches, will be forced to pay a total of $7,500 (?3,600) in fines, while bet365 pleaded guilty to two counts and was fined $5,000 (?2,400).
Seven days in regulation:
Poland considers Gambling Act overhaul
Poland’s recently-elected government is working on a new Gambling Act which could be pushed through as early as next month, according to local media reports.
Poland hasn’t amended its gambling regulations since 2009, but the country’s new government, led by the conservative Law and Justice Party, views the gambling sector as a potential source of much needed tax revenue.
The new regulations are expected to license sports betting and possibly poker, although casino will likely remain outside of any framework.
French market posts 4% revenue growth
The French online gambling market recorded a 4.3% year-on-year rise in gross gaming revenue (GGR) during 2015 as strong growth in sports betting helped offset a decline in other verticals.
Total GGR for the 12 months ended 31 December 2015 hit ?756m (?574m), up from ?725m (?550.6m) across the previous year, while sports betting maintained its position as the market’s standout vertical after recording growth of 19%.
According to figures released by l’Autorit? de regulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL), revenues from the vertical increased from ?227m (?172.4m) in 2014 to ?270m (?205m) last year following a particularly strong performance in Q4.
William Hill demands apology over Australia in-play media reports
William Hill Australia’s relationship with the local press deteriorated further last week when the operator demanded the Herald Sun immediately retract what it considered to be false reporting of its in-play betting product.
The newspaper’s front-page claimed the operator’s in-play product was under federal investigation within a wider story on the New South Wales government’s displeasure over William Hill’s sponsorship of the Australian Open.
According to the Melbourne-based publication, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is in the midst of investigating a complaint made against William Hill In-Play last year, a claim the operator strenuously denies.