Regulation round-up 8 March 2016
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (2 March to 8 March 2016)
Online bookies to pay levy on racing bets from next year
UK Government to create a “level playing field” by increasing scope of Levy to include offshore firms from April 2017
Online bookies will have to pay a levy on profits derived from British racing from next year after the UK Government announced plans to extend the current Levy system to include offshore operators.
Following a parliamentary question lodged by Chris Green MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale MP said it was the Governement’s intention to introduce a new funding arrangement for the sport by April 2017.
“We will create a level playing field for British-based and offshore gambling operators and ensure a fair return from all bookmakers to racing, including those based offshore,” Whittingdale said.
The Secretary of State added that an extension of the Levy, which is currently set at 10.75% of profits generated by Britain-based bookies, would see the Government deliver on its 2015 Budget commitment.
Camelot contests Gambling Commission participation figures
UK National Lottery operator Camelot has rejected media reports which claim recent changes to its flagship Lotto game have caused participation rates to “slump dramatically”.
The supposed decline, which was reported across several major news outlets, followed a report published by Great Britain’s Gambling Commission last month which found the percentage of people taking part in the bi-weekly draw had fallen from 46% in 2012 to 32% in 2015.
However, speaking to eGaming Review, Camelot stressed the Gambling Commission figures – which were drawn from 4,000 telephone surveys conducted during 2015 – do not match up with its own numbers.
Seven days in regulation:
Bwin gets green light to enter Bulgaria
Bwin.party has been given the go-ahead to launch its sportsbook and casino products in the ring-fenced Bulgarian market.
The operator, now owned by GVC Holdings, was awarded separate remote licences for sports betting and casino games, and plans to launch ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 Championships.
Bwin said it was now working through the process of connecting its systems to the State Commission on Gambling and the National Revenue Agency.
FanDuel withdraws from Texas
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator FanDuel has confirmed it will exit the state of Texas having reached an agreement with Attorney General Ken Paxton to wind down operations.
In a letter to players, the firm said it still believed it was operating legally in the state, but understood that laws surrounding DFS “required clarity”.
FanDuel said it has worked with Paxton’s office to “map out” its withdrawal from the state, and would be suspending paid contests on May 1.
Illinois Lottery online ticket sales to be suspended
The Illinois Lottery could be forced to close down its online ticket sales with the test programme allowing it to offer products over the internet coming to an end later this month.
A measure to make online ticket sales permanent has yet to be moved forward by the House, and lawmakers aren’t due to return to the Capitol until April 4.
The Illinois Lottery was among one of the first to make the move online when it went live in 2012 and expanded its offering in 2014 with the launch of a mobile app.