Regulation round-up 28 May 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (22 May to 28 May 2013)
Dutch draft legislation proposes 20% GPT rate
Consultation process for proposed regulations will run until 21 July “ players taxed 29% on winnings from unlicensed sites
The Netherlands Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) has published the draft legislation to regulate the country’s online gambling industry, with a view to opening the market on 1 January 2015.
The bill was described as “a modernisation of gambling policy” and will introduce a 20% tax on gross profit, privatise monopoly operator Holland Casino and abolish the existing sports betting monopoly.
Draft legislation has been released to industry stakeholders for consultation until 21 July, and includes a clause which requires each applicant to set up a Dutch subsidiary business in order to secure a five-year approval. Confirmation of the licence is also dependent on the Kansspelautoriteit auditing the company’s systems within six months to a year after of the operator receiving approval.
Gambling Commission launches social games investigation
The UK Gambling Commission has begun an investigation into the potential risks posed by social gaming, submitting a call for social gaming operators to supply player data to aid the study.
The regulatory body explained it was looking to ascertain whether the growth of the industry “posed risks to the public” and if so, whether “adequate protections are already in place”. The Commission has begun gathering evidence, opening discussions with the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board and regulators in other territories that have already started investigations into the industry.
Seven days in regulation:
Hesse advertises for firm to handle legal challenges
Hesse, the state responsible for overseeing the process for awarding Germany’s 20 sports betting licences, has submitted an appeal for ‘expressions of interest’ from legal firms to handle court cases brought by private operators.
The document estimates that it is likely to see a number challenges brought against the state’s Ministry of the Interior, adding that “several administrative proceedings are already pending”. It expects operators which are unsuccessful in their applications will look to sue the state due to “the economic importance of sports betting licenses issued and existing legal uncertainties due to the new law”.
HÃ¥kansson named Lotteriinspektionen chair
The Swedish Lotteriinspektionen (Gambling Authority) has appointed Per HÃ¥kansson as the organisation’s new chairman.
HÃ¥kansson will hold the role alongside his current position of chief legal counsel to the country’s Finansinspektionen (Financial Supervisory Authority), where he has served since 2009. Previously he held the same role at the Swedish pensions authority for a year, where he joined after six years as general counsel for the Central Bank of Sweden.
New Jersey appoints Galea to aid egaming launch
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has hired former Maltese Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) CEO Mario Galea as a consultant to help push through the state’s online gambling launch.
Draft legislation was made available on the New Jersey legislative website earlier this month, with the bill to be officially published on 2 June at the start of a 60-day public comment period. Once this consultation period finishes the DGE will review and respond to all comments, before passing the bill into force.