Regulation round-up 28 April 2015
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (22 April to 28 April 2015)
Swedish regulator drops case against Apple
Swedish Gambling Authority had questioned Apple’s role in promoting apps from “unlicensed operators”
The Swedish Gambling Authority (Lotteriinspektionen) has dropped its case against Apple which challenged the legality of gambling apps from “unlicensed operators” in its Sweden-facing App Store, eGaming Review has learned.
In February the US technology giant removed approximately 40 gambling apps from more than a dozen operators after a letter sent by the regulator cited a possible breach of terms and conditions due to the unlicensed and potentially “illegal” status of operators.
However, since the regulator dropped the case, and decided to take no legal action, more than half of the apps are now in the App Store and a full re-instatement is expected in the coming weeks.
General Secretary of the Association of Online Gambling Operators in Sweden (BOS), Gustaf Hoffstedt, said he welcomed the news after previously criticising the regulator’s role in Apple’s decision to remove the apps.
“I am pleased that everyone now understands that it is legal according to EU law for Swedish consumers to gamble with operators holding an EU licence [and] that everyone now understands it is legal according to EU law for Apple Inc to offer apps from such operators in its App Store to Swedish costumers,” Hoffstedt told eGR.
Spanish ad watchdog slams proposed egaming restrictions
The bill seeking to restrict egaming advertising in Spain has come under attack from the country’s advertising watchdog, which says the legislation has “significant shortcomings”.
The Consejo Audiovisual de AndalucÃa (CAA) said it believed online gambling should be subject to the same advertising restrictions as alcohol and tobacco.
The CAA’s comments come after the La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, the country’s gaming regulator, introduced a draft regulatory code for egaming operators to adhere to.
The new regulations would include restricting online gambling adverts to be broadcast only between 10pm and 6am each day, and block egaming ads appearing in media directed at minors.
The bill would also limit sponsorship partnerships, and place tough restrictions on sponsorship promotions aimed at minors, and through channels targeted directly at them.
Many suppliers still without British licence
Great Britain’s regulator is still processing 17 software supplier licence applications despite the new licensing framework having gone live more than three weeks ago, eGaming Review has learned.
Speaking to eGR last week, a spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said a total of 19 suppliers had failed to receive their licence ahead of the start of the regime on 31 March, while only two permits had been awarded since.
“Our investigations are still ongoing into 17 operators,” a spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said. “It is worth noting that six of these applications were only received in March,” it added.
South Australia pushes ahead with PoC plans
The South Australian government has re-affirmed plans to tax online gambling operators on a point of consumption (PoC) basis, in a move that could raise AU$47m a year for the state.
The Treasurer of South Australia, Tom Koutsantonis, told Australian news website The Advertiser the government had been tasked with designing a plan to implement the new regime following the conclusion of a meeting with state and territory treasurers earlier this month.
“It is important that online gambling operators pay taxes considering that they are generating profits based on betting activity of South Australians,” Koutsantonis told the publication.
Italy considering banning gambling adds before midnight
Italian authorities are considering banning all gambling-related TV commercials before midnight as part of a move to strengthen its advertising laws, the country’s economic undersecretary has warned.
According to Pier Paolo Baretta, Italian economic undersecretary, a total ban on gambling advertising is not likely to be considered but a blanket ban on TV advertising before 12am is one option being looked at.
“I cannot imagine a complete ban on the advertising of the game, but on the spot you can discuss the removal of commercials until midnight,” Beretta told Italian press last week.
However, speaking to eGaming Review, Giulio Coraggio, head of the Italian gambling practice at DLA Piper said any significant tightening of gambling advertising restrictions could prompt operators into taking legal action.