Industry News - October 2008

New Entrants Confront France’s Status Quo

24/10/2008: In a follow-up to the 2007 landmark conference that heralded the opening of the French online gambling sector, a gathering in Paris yesterday pushed on with outlining the framework for a new regulated market. But private operators will still have their lobbying work cut out to ensure that online casino games are included, and that the interests of France’s sporting and betting groups are not harmed.

more .:

Czech Government Prepares To Make Key Gambling Policy Decisions

23/10/2008: The Czech Ministry of Finance intends to formally promulgate its plans to reform national gambling laws by the end of November following the publication of an Ernst & Young report that confirmed the need for wide-reaching gambling reform in the country, but revealed a lack of consensus on how internet gambling and competitions and prize draws should be incorporated under new legislation.

more .:

Estonian Parliament Passes New Gambling Law

22/10/2008: Estonian officials are confident of enacting sweeping new gambling legislation in January of next year after a draft bill received final approval in the Estonian Parliament last week. The legislation is likely to trigger consolidation in the country’s gambling sector as new capital and gaming machine requirements are introduced.

more .:

French Advocate General Backs EC Online Gambling Oversight

15/10/2008: Yesterday’s Advocate General opinion in the ‘Bwin Liga’ ECJ case scrutinising Portugal’s Santa Casa sports betting monopoly has highlighted the obligation of EU member states to notify all legislation involving internet gambling to the European Commission in Brussels prior to bringing their laws into formal effect.

more .:

EU To Scrutinize Hungary’s Online Betting Law Proposals

10/10/2008: Hungary has unveiled proposed reforms to its national gambling laws that will allow EU- and EEA-based online sports betting companies to apply for authorization from the country’s tax authority to advertise and operate in the Hungarian market. However, the European Commission will have to scrutinize whether the strict tax requirements may constitute an effective barrier to market entry.

more .:

Fearing European Heat, Italy Suspends Licence Tender

09/10/2008: The tender process for 329 of Italy’s disputed historic horseracing betting licences, due to be completed by the end of October, has been suspended. The decision, which was anticipated last month, should prove a cause for celebration for the country’s new licensees.

more .:

France Requests EU Gambling Progress Report

06/10/2008: A newly-established EU Council working group is to present a series of conclusions on gambling before the end of the year, a European Commission official has revealed. The group was established in July at the behest of the French EU Presidency, ahead of a planned seminar later this month on France’s own plans for online gambling reform.

more .:

UK Gambling Operators Face Updated Licence Conditions

06/10/2008: The Gambling Commission last week issued revised licence conditions for all UK gambling operators, to take effect in January next year. Updated provisions include a requirement for remote operators to specify where they offer games under foreign gambling licences on the same website as their UK-licensed offerings.

more .:

Belgian Senate Paves Way For Online Licensing Change

03/10/2008: New draft legislation prepared by the Belgian Senate would allow the holders of terrestrial licences to apply for ‘licence+’ permissions to offer their services via the internet. The measures would also greatly enhance the power of the country’s Gaming Commission, and impose new limits on the number of licensed betting shops in the country.

more .:

Swedish Advertising Case Heads For ECJ Referral

02/10/2008: A long-running gambling case involving the former editor of a Swedish tabloid newspaper is to be referred to the European Court of Justice, GamblingCompliance understands. Observers believe the referral will further weaken the resolve of Swedish prosecutors looking to apply Swedish legislation prohibiting the advertising of foreign-based gambling services.

more .: