The British land-based casino operators are going to pay at least 0.1% of their annual gross profit for funding the charity GambleAware to fulfill the National Responsible Gambling Strategy’s goals, as agreed the British land-based casino operator’s trade association, the National Casino Forum (NCF). “The casino sector has always supported fundraising for research, education and […]

The British land-based casino operators are going to pay at least 0.1% of their annual gross profit for funding the charity GambleAware to fulfill the National Responsible Gambling Strategy’s goals, as agreed the British land-based casino operator’s trade association, the National Casino Forum (NCF).

“The casino sector has always supported fundraising for research, education and treatment and casino operators are determined to go beyond both the letter and the spirit of the Act in their support for responsible and safer gambling. They want to ensure that research, education, prevention and treatment programmes are fully funded across the gambling industry.” NCF CEO Tracy Damestani, said.

Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware added: “It is imperative that all businesses deriving a profit from commercial gambling in Britain support GambleAware in the delivery of the National Responsible Gambling Strategy. This initiative by NCF’s members will ensure transparency in relation to the casino sector’s funding of research, education and treatment and sets an important benchmark for others.”

Portugal will amendment the country’s gambling laws in 2018, according to local media reports. The goverment has put forward a number of proposed changes to online gaming tax and regulations. As per the proposed changes to online gaming tax, the tax for the State will raise from 2.28% to 3.17% and the allocation for the […]

Portugal will amendment the country’s gambling laws in 2018, according to local media reports. The goverment has put forward a number of proposed changes to online gaming tax and regulations.

As per the proposed changes to online gaming tax, the tax for the State will raise from 2.28% to 3.17% and the allocation for the ministry responsible for promoting social policies will increase from 34.52% to 48.05%.

Currently, the country taxes sports betting operations at 16% on turnover, and casino operations, including online poker, at 30%.

According to the proposed changes to the current Online Gambling Law, the government is considering the legalization of national and international liquidity for different iGaming and betting services.

“The State Budget Proposal includes amending the law to allow licensed operators in the country to share their gambling platform to provide and promote online games to players registered with different sites in the country,” Betting industry entrepreneur Ivo Doroteia, revealed in a LinkedIn post.

According to an announcement of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Executive Director and Regulatory Operations lead, Nick Tofiluk, has departed the Organization for the Cyprus National Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission. As an Executive Director of the UKGC for the last 10 years, Nick Tofiluk has experience on licensing, compliance issues and betting integrity. […]

According to an announcement of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Executive Director and Regulatory Operations lead, Nick Tofiluk, has departed the Organization for the Cyprus National Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission.

As an Executive Director of the UKGC for the last 10 years, Nick Tofiluk has experience on licensing, compliance issues and betting integrity. He was also involved in coordinating gambling organizations internationally.

He studied at the University of Birmingham and received his Bachelor of Education in Economics from Dudley College. In 2000, he earned a master’s degree in criminology from Cambridge University.

Mr Tofiluk states on his LinkedIn profile that he is an “experienced executive director focused on risk management, strategic and operational intelligence, senior law enforcement.”

According to media outlets, the Cyprus National Gaming Commission has already signed with Mr Tofiluk an agreement which includes a two-year co-operation contract, as at the same time Cyprus is processing with the €500 million Melco-Hard Rock casino resort which will be the “Europe’s largest integrated casino resort”.

The Cyprus Government intends to regulate bingo gambling, as confirmed by the Finance Minister of Cyprus, Harris Georgiades, last Thursday, at the 1st Annual meeting of the National Betting Authority. Mr Georgiades stated that the new legislation “will secure national interest and social benefit”. “It is an activity whose turnover, according to estimates, exceeds €100m […]

The Cyprus Government intends to regulate bingo gambling, as confirmed by the Finance Minister of Cyprus, Harris Georgiades, last Thursday, at the 1st Annual meeting of the National Betting Authority.

Mr Georgiades stated that the new legislation “will secure national interest and social benefit”.

“It is an activity whose turnover, according to estimates, exceeds €100m per year but has been done in a completely unregulated way,” the Minister added.

The Finance Minister has mentioned that the parliament is discussing another bill for the regulating games offered by gambling monopoly Opap.

The Government’s policy is to reject “the hypocritical across-the-board ban, but also the irresponsible and unregulated operation,” “A blanket ban only serves lawbreakers and the black economy,” “Unregulated operation leaves society completely unprotected.”, the Minister added.

Mr Georgiades mentioned that the Government has submitted to the parliament a measure to privatise the state lottery which will be placed under the control of the National Betting Authority.

The leading Data Center Provider, NetShop ISP, has announced today that will be hosting iGathering17 Private Event which will take place in Hilton, Malta. iGatherings are private, networking events attended by the iGaming industry’s C-level executives. NetShop ISP, as a leading Data Center Provider in Malta, will be among the 4 companies hosting this event […]

The leading Data Center Provider, NetShop ISP, has announced today that will be hosting iGathering17 Private Event which will take place in Hilton, Malta.

iGatherings are private, networking events attended by the iGaming industry’s C-level executives. NetShop ISP, as a leading Data Center Provider in Malta, will be among the 4 companies hosting this event in November 2017.

About NetShop ISP

Since 2004, NetShop ISP has been a privately owned and operated company specializing in DataCenter Hosting services. Being active in the iGaming industry for the past 7 years, NetShop ISP is, today, among the top choices for hosting by leading Platform Suppliers, Software Developers and iGaming Startups.

Read more at https://maltaigamingsummit.com/igatherings/

Betfred is set to expand the reach of its new TradeFred Forex and CFDs online trading platform into Cyprus, according to LeapRate.com. The result of a partnership between Betfred and Vanuatu-registered MagicPath Capital, the platform went live in June. At the time of its launch, TradeFred only held a licence issued by the Vanuatu Financial […]

Betfred is set to expand the reach of its new TradeFred Forex and CFDs online trading platform into Cyprus, according to LeapRate.com.

The result of a partnership between Betfred and Vanuatu-registered MagicPath Capital, the platform went live in June.

At the time of its launch, TradeFred only held a licence issued by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission and had not been not cleared for operations in the UK or Europe.

However, LeapRate.com has reported that TradeFred will soon expand with a new Europe-regulated entity in Cyprus and has established a subsidiary in the country to support the move.

TradeFred is also expected to announce that it has obtained a CIF licence from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, which will allow it to take clients from European countries and the UK.

MagicPath is listed as the owner of the TradeFred brand, while Betfred serves as a technology provider.

Source: http://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/betfred-expands-forex-cfd-service-cyprus-report

Malta has become the basis of operations for many Dutch gambling companies before the Netherlands announces the new Dutch gambling laws, as per the local media. Specifically, the two Dutch media outlets Het Financieele Dagblad and Trouw claimed that Malta has a lot of technical and commercial expertise and years of experience in the online […]

Malta has become the basis of operations for many Dutch gambling companies before the Netherlands announces the new Dutch gambling laws, as per the local media.

Specifically, the two Dutch media outlets Het Financieele Dagblad and Trouw claimed that Malta has a lot of technical and commercial expertise and years of experience in the online gaming field, which makes many Dutch gambling firms move to the island. Trouw has also criticized the Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, that it has not enough power to impose a fine to those who dismiss the rules, even if some of them may belong in the EU.

The KSA responded to the publications via a statement published on its website pointing out that it’s urgently needs additional powers to further combat illegal online gambling.

The Director of the KSA, Marja Appelman, said, as translated:
“We have seen a steady growth of illegal online gambling in the Netherlands for more than ten years. Data from H2 Gambling Capital’s data provider shows that this trend is reversing by legalizing the market.
The illegal offer of almost one hundred percent now has to be significantly reduced in a few years. We have also seen this effect in other European countries. In 2022, the illegal supply in the Netherlands has been reduced to just 30 percent, according to these figures.’

Sweden’s gaming regulator, Lotteriinspektionen, has revealed that there has been a decline of Swedes who participate at gambling activities in the past year, according to its annual survey of the national gambling market. The annual survey is released on Wednesday by Lotteriinspektionen which showed that 66 percent of the 1,044 adults surveyed have participated in […]

Sweden’s gaming regulator, Lotteriinspektionen, has revealed that there has been a decline of Swedes who participate at gambling activities in the past year, according to its annual survey of the national gambling market.

The annual survey is released on Wednesday by Lotteriinspektionen which showed that 66 percent of the 1,044 adults surveyed have participated in one form of gambling over the past year which seem that the amount of gamblers has dropped 2 points since 2016.

34% of the people who haven’t engaged in any form of gambling the past 12 months, claimed that is because they never won anything while another 22% reported a lack of confidence. On the other hand, 3 percent of respondents admitted gambling a lot during the last 12 months, which is on the same number for the last years.

As per the survey, the state-owned Svenska Spel wins the first place as is the 1st choice of the Swedes with 52% of online gamblers choosing it. On the second place with 16% is the horse race betting operator ATG. Unibet takes the 3rd place with 3%. Last choices are Betsson and Bet365 with 2% and Maria Casino, PokerStars, Mr Green, LeoVegas and Cherry AB with 1%.

The Chief executive of Sky Betting & Gaming, Richard Flint, has urged the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, not to raise the gambling-related taxes of companies active in the country, warning that it could harm the company’s investment plan for the UK. As Mr Flint said, this year it was planned to create […]

The Chief executive of Sky Betting & Gaming, Richard Flint, has urged the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, not to raise the gambling-related taxes of companies active in the country, warning that it could harm the company’s investment plan for the UK.

As Mr Flint said, this year it was planned to create an other 200 high-tech at its Yorkshire site Headquarters in addition to 1,300 people who already work at the Yorkshire site of the brand.

“We are prepared to have the penalty [of higher taxes] versus being based offshore but it could become unsustainable if taxes are increased too much,” Mr Flint said.

He mentioned that SkyBet has paid £153 million in taxes for the year to June 2017 which represents 30% of SkyBet revenues. He added that while the company is based in the UK, it has to pay VAT on marketing expenditure, something not levied on those based offshore in places such as Gibraltar.

An amendment to Russia’s federal law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” is preventing players from accessing international iGaming websites operating that are not licensed by the Russian government, with the implementation of a new VPN. Virtual private networks (VPN) services were called to set stricter conditions of access to international sites and online […]

An amendment to Russia’s federal law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” is preventing players from accessing international iGaming websites operating that are not licensed by the Russian government, with the implementation of a new VPN.

Virtual private networks (VPN) services were called to set stricter conditions of access to international sites and online gaming platforms by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor).

Furthermore, while about 1,500 gambling-related international licensed domains are being blocked by Roskomnadzor every week, VPN services might be completely banned in Russia if policies against online domains keep getting approved.

The UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced today the options to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to between £2 and £50 to protect vulnerable gamblers. Currently, high-speed electronic casino games called ‘crack cocaine’ machines, allow punters to place bets of £100 every 20 seconds. Gambling […]

The UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced today the options to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to between £2 and £50 to protect vulnerable gamblers.

Currently, high-speed electronic casino games called ‘crack cocaine’ machines, allow punters to place bets of £100 every 20 seconds.

Gambling Minister, Tracey Crouch, said in the introduction to the review: “This consultation brings forward a package of proposals which responds to strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gambling on the high street, with the aim of enhancing player protections on gambling machines that enable high rates of loss in short periods of time.”

“We are consulting on regulatory changes to the maximum stake, looking at options between £50 and £2, in order to reduce the potential for large session losses and therefore to the potentially harmful impact on the player and their wider communities,”

“It is vital that we strike the right balance between socially responsible growth and protecting the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm. We have seen online gambling grow rapidly and we need to protect players in this space, while also making sure those experiencing harm relating to gambling receive the help they need.”

“Given the strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gaming machines on the high street, we are convinced of the need for action. That is why today we have set out a package of proposals to ensure all consumers and wider communities are protected,”

As part of the government review:

The Gambling Commission – the industry’s regulator – will consult on changes to protect online players.

Broadcasters, advertisers, industry and support groups will draw up an advertising campaign to promote responsible gambling, with an annual budget of up to £7m.

New advertising guidelines will be drawn up, to protect problem gamblers, children and young people.

Access by under-18s to gambling content and channels on social media will be restricted.

Gambling companies are being told to step up funding for research, education and treatment. If they don’t, operators may face a levy.

Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, described the review as “deeply disappointing”.

A consultation period of 12 weeks will follow to determine the decision.

The Malysian Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that changes will be made in the country’s Common Gaming House Act 1953, in order to fight illegal gambling. Zahid stated: “The (Home) Ministry, together with the police, are working with the Attorney-General’s office to see if a full change (is needed) to […]

The Malysian Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that changes will be made in the country’s Common Gaming House Act 1953, in order to fight illegal gambling.

Zahid stated: “The (Home) Ministry, together with the police, are working with the Attorney-General’s office to see if a full change (is needed) to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 to reflect new elements in gambling crime,”

“Special attention should be given to improve the online gambling law because online gambling activities, which can be done via smartphones, are fast becoming rampant right now.”

“We are also collaborating with Interpol to create a firewall for telcos to prevent this from spreading,”

“We have deported 416 China nationals believed to be involved in the Macau scam syndicate, and efforts are being intensified to investigate 100 other suspects before they can be deported to their countries of origin,”

“Of the total, Selangor and Penang recorded the highest number of raids,”

As per the Deputy Prime Minister, that authorities had carried out 5,913 operations mounted nationwide since last September.