Industry News - December 2007

Denmark’s A Prison As High Court Slams Skill Verdict

20/12/2007: Danish poker players were handed an unwelcome Christmas present yesterday when the eastern division of the Danish High Court found tournament poker to be a game of chance, overturning a previous district court verdict that had determined it to be a game of skill. The decision is a setback for the Danish Poker Association, which now finds its activities in contravention of the Danish Criminal Code, although an appeal to the Supreme Court is under way.

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German Court Confusion Fuels Interstate Treaty Challenge

19/12/2007: A decision upholding the validity of Bwin’s old East German sports betting licence to offer internet betting could shelter the company from the worst effects of the impending ban on all internet gambling in Germany established by the Interstate Lotteries Treaty, according to one expert. However, the latest decision adds further speculation to exactly how the treaty will be applied in Germany in early 2008.

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EU Confirms US WTO Settlement

18/12/2007: The United States took a giant leap forward in efforts to withdraw gambling services from its commitments to the WTO’s GATS treaty after agreeing a compensation package with the European Union on Monday. The withdrawal will prevent other countries from taking up a case won by Antigua at the WTO earlier this year but the remote gambling industry continues to feel that fair trade issues remain a strong argument in favour of regulation in the US.

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Svenska Spel’s Rogue Investments Under Fire

18/12/2007: Swedish gambling monopoly Svenska Spel has been prolific in its announcements of overseas expansion in 2007 but as the year draws to a close it is becoming clear that many of the deals were never approved by the Swedish government and now face being unwound.

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France Puts Mr Bookmaker Prosecution On Hold

17/12/2007: On Friday December 14, the French court suspended any legal decision relating to prosecutions of the operators of the Mr Bookmaker website until the European court gives clarity on the compatibility of national and European laws. Director Didier Dewyn will now have to wait to find out if he is to face any penalties for organising “illicit lotteries and acceptance of illegal bets” or whether charges will be dropped.

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Bulgaria’s MPs Veto Betting Tax Change

14/12/2007: Bulgarian lawmakers yesterday voted to reject amendments to the country's gambling tax structure that would have introduced a gross profit-based taxation system. The outcome of the vote was swayed following a controversial intervention by the US Ambassador John Beyrle, and criticism by socialist president Georgi Parvanov, who feared the change would favour private ownership interests.

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Slovakia - A Regulatory Overview

12/12/2007: The Slovak Republic has in a short period transformed its laws and regulations to conform to EU community law. Slovakia has a newly regulated gaming sector, which affords operators from OECD member states the same establishment rights as EU operators, potentially opening a new route into the EU

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Germany, Italy Diverge On Poker Thinking

07/12/2007: Two radically different approaches to the regulation of online skill gaming are being implemented by Germany and by its southern neighbour Italy. Investors have found opportunities in both, but whether either system will inspire emulation beyond national boundaries remains to be seen.

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Football Corruption Scandal Colours EU Infringement Debate

06/12/2007: The European State Lotteries and Toto Association says that the football match-fixing concerns voiced by Uefa president Michel Platini last weekend vindicate state control of sports betting services and has called for the European Commission to drop infringement proceedings against European betting monopolies.

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