According to the latest Greek reports, the Syriza Government is seeking to reform the Greek gambling industry by cutting down the taxes on casino gambling in order to attract international companies. Last Monday, eKathimerini published a report stating that according to sources, “a bill will tabled in the next few weeks” and it will contain […]

According to the latest Greek reports, the Syriza Government is seeking to reform the Greek gambling industry by cutting down the taxes on casino gambling in order to attract international companies.

Last Monday, eKathimerini published a report stating that according to sources, “a bill will tabled in the next few weeks” and it will contain a “new tax status for gaming tables and slot machines”.

As per the report, “the government has received proposals from institutions that foresee a mixed system that would bring down the tax rate on gross turnover from 30-37 percent (depending on the case) to 25 percent or even lower.”

One of the goals of the reform is the bailout program aimed at licensing a casino at Elliniko and the relocation of the Regency Mont Parnes casino to a location near Athens.

Switzerland’s parliament has passed a final vote on the Switzerland’s Money Gaming Act, ending the process for the new legislation that began in 2014. The Money Gaming Act will replace the outdated 1923 Lotteries and Betting Act and the 1998 Gambling Act. Under the new Money Gaming Act, the country is modernizing the current gaming […]

Switzerland’s parliament has passed a final vote on the Switzerland’s Money Gaming Act, ending the process for the new legislation that began in 2014. The Money Gaming Act will replace the outdated 1923 Lotteries and Betting Act and the 1998 Gambling Act.

Under the new Money Gaming Act, the country is modernizing the current gaming laws by legalizing the online gambling as well as the land-based casinos, but only locals with land-based facilities will be able to operate online casino sites.

According to a recent report, there has been some opposition to the new Act by three organisations, the Swiss People’s Party, the Green Liberal Party and the Free Democratic Party, which are up to organise a referendum against the Act’s clause which requires the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to prevent international operators from accessing Swiss customers.

In order for the legislation to be brought up for a referendum, they need to gather 50 000 signatures from citizens in 100 days.

The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has published a press release last Monday noting that is set to further control social gambling as it can facilitate the spread of unlicensed and illicit online gambling and could also cause addiction to gambling on vulnerable players. KSA said: “Because social games and games of chance have many similar […]

The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has published a press release last Monday noting that is set to further control social gambling as it can facilitate the spread of unlicensed and illicit online gambling and could also cause addiction to gambling on vulnerable players.

KSA said: “Because social games and games of chance have many similar game features, it is not always clear to players where social games stop and games of chance start”.

A report from the US research firm SuperDara Research showed that from October 2016 to January 2017 the 50% of respondents under the age of 24 have switched from social gaming to real-money online gambling. All other age groups did not have such high rates.

The Dutch Regulator will adjust the regulations to limiting all possible hazards.

The Maltese authorities after evaluating the proposals of the new Gambling Law of Cyprus, they have delayed it as they have to share a detailed opinion on the new regime. Αlthough the proposals are being evaluating by the European Commission, Malta as one of the pioneers on the iGaming in Europe must also give an […]

The Maltese authorities after evaluating the proposals of the new Gambling Law of Cyprus, they have delayed it as they have to share a detailed opinion on the new regime.

Αlthough the proposals are being evaluating by the European Commission, Malta as one of the pioneers on the iGaming in Europe must also give an opinion on the plan along with other Member States.

The three-month suspension period where the European Commission and the certain Member States have reviewed the local bill and examined whether or not the plan creates obstacles to the free movement of goods and services in breach of the European Union, seemed to be not enough and it has been prolonged until December following the submission of Malta.

Cyprus has proposed a comprehensive plan for the regulation of the Cyprus national iGaming market by “remedying several earlier infringements with the 2012 law identified by the EC, including one related to local ISPs’ obligations in relation to blacklisting and website blocking.”

As per the official statement presented in June 2017 to the EU Commission, the plan suggests a 10% tax on the net income from players in Cyprus plus an additional 1% contribution of net revenue to responsible gambling initiatives and 2% to support the sports organizations in Cyprus.

The Trinidad and Tobago Government decided to double the gaming operator taxes by January 2018 and the T&T Gaming operators are protesting and they are ready to respond to this decision in every lawful manner. While some international casino operators are threatening to pull out of Trinidad & Tobago, six small casinos have already closed […]

The Trinidad and Tobago Government decided to double the gaming operator taxes by January 2018 and the T&T Gaming operators are protesting and they are ready to respond to this decision in every lawful manner.

While some international casino operators are threatening to pull out of Trinidad & Tobago, six small casinos have already closed down.

The president of the Private Members’ Club Association (TTPMA), Sherry Persad commented that “thousands that will be affected by this inhumane increase”. “The Government cannot continue to proceed with the deluded concept that taxation is a revenue generating option for our nation,”

“Over the last year, various stakeholders have been in communication with the Ministry of Finance and participating with the JSC in developing relevant and fair gaming legislation that will regulate the industry, yet without any notice or consultation the taxes on the industry was dramatically increased,” she added.

The changes will take place and be enforced by January 2018.

Switzerland’s Parliament members is reported to have agreed on a compromise over taxes on winnings from lotteries and sporting bets, replacing the country’s existing gambling laws with a new Money Gaming Act, which deals with new online markets. As per the new Money Gaming Act, lotteries and sporting bets would be taxed only when winnings […]

Switzerland’s Parliament members is reported to have agreed on a compromise over taxes on winnings from lotteries and sporting bets, replacing the country’s existing gambling laws with a new Money Gaming Act, which deals with new online markets.

As per the new Money Gaming Act, lotteries and sporting bets would be taxed only when winnings cross CHF1 million. Also, only the local land based casinos will be able to apply for online gaming licenses. The main objective of the law is to combat fraud.

With the new legislation, Switzerland will be replace the outdated 1923 Lotteries and Betting Act and the 1998 Gambling Act.

This new Money Gaming Act is now head to parliament for a final vote before being adopted into law.

According to the Times of Malta, the government may soon begin a ‘sandbox test’, a trial rollout of cryptocurrency to test regulations and legislative measures before giving the green light to the Malta-licensed online gambling sites to accept digital currencies. The test will be conducted by the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) which will be able […]

According to the Times of Malta, the government may soon begin a ‘sandbox test’, a trial rollout of cryptocurrency to test regulations and legislative measures before giving the green light to the Malta-licensed online gambling sites to accept digital currencies.

The test will be conducted by the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) which will be able to manage and estimate the pros and cons of the virtual currency to the best of its abilities.

“The idea is that virtual currency would be introduced within a controlled framework to test proposed controls and legislation but without there being any bearing on the wider local economy.” sources said.

Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta, will review the results. Dr Muscat’s spokesman told the Times of Malta that he wants to make Malta the “blockchain capital of Europe”. The spokesman added “We would like to be the first country to regulate crypto-currency and blockchain”.

Joseph Cuschieri, MGA’s Executive Chairman, told the Times of Malta that it is now time for Malta to do something about the new form of money. “In this respect, Cryptocurrencies present us with a double-edged sword, combining opportunity with significant risks,” he added.

The UK Labour Party proposed a new tax on the gaming industry where the gambling operators will be funding National Health Service treatment for gambling addicts as the number of problem gamblers has been risen in the UK. According to a Gambling Commission report, 2 million people in the UK are addicted to problem gambling […]

The UK Labour Party proposed a new tax on the gaming industry where the gambling operators will be funding National Health Service treatment for gambling addicts as the number of problem gamblers has been risen in the UK. According to a Gambling Commission report, 2 million people in the UK are addicted to problem gambling or are at a risk of developing an addiction.

Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, said during Labour’s annual conference in Brighton this week:
“The number of problem gamblers in this country has risen by a third in just three years. Two million people are either problem gamblers or at risk of addiction. Children and young people are being targeted by betting advertisers more than ever.”

Watson claimed that “Gambling addiction is an illness and it is about time it was taken seriously.”

He added: “Our review will look at how to best fund National Health Service treatment and help free problem gamblers from the destructive cycle of addiction.”

Watson also renewed his call for preventing gambling advertising on the shirts of English football teams.
He said: “My message to gambling firms today is clear: stop targeting vulnerable people. Start acting properly. And meet your obligation to help those whose lives have been blighted by addiction.You can do it now, because it’s the right thing to do. Or you can wait for the next Labour government to do it for you.”

On Tuesday, the Dutch government announced along with its 2018 budget plans that is going to temporarily raise gaming taxes from 29% to 30.1% from July 2018 to January 2019. The tax rise will affect the revenue from slots, casino gambling and all forms of remote gambling. During the period of six months the Dutch […]

On Tuesday, the Dutch government announced along with its 2018 budget plans that is going to temporarily raise gaming taxes from 29% to 30.1% from July 2018 to January 2019.

The tax rise will affect the revenue from slots, casino gambling and all forms of remote gambling.

During the period of six months the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) will have time to implement all the changes implemented in the new law, as per the lawmakers.

Gaming operators have hopes that the changes in the new law will open doors to offer their services to Dutch players.

Analysists estimate that there will be several delays until the implementation of the new law.

Recently, the Swedish iGaming operator Betsson AB lost its bid against Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, for igaming prohibition as the Dutch court said that the iGaming ban is legal. Read the article here.

Saxony-Anhalt Finance Minister, André Schröder, has warned that the online gambling legislation efforts of Germany might be failed if its 16 federal individual states do not implement the proposed “Interstate Treaty on Gambling” the sooner. The Interstate Τreaty has been in place since 2012, but has not yet been implemented since the 16 states of […]

Saxony-Anhalt Finance Minister, André Schröder, has warned that the online gambling legislation efforts of Germany might be failed if its 16 federal individual states do not implement the proposed “Interstate Treaty on Gambling” the sooner.

The Interstate Τreaty has been in place since 2012, but has not yet been implemented since the 16 states of the country do not agree with the legislators and because of the confrontation of the EU authorities. According to the Treaty, online sports betting operators will be able to apply for licence and operate.

Schröder reported on media: “The Prime Ministers of all the federal states have agreed on changes to the gaming contract, which was a month-long struggle and a process of weighing up the debts, mainly to address the problems of enforcement that we have with the current regulations – online casinos and sports betting – and to ensure consumer protection.”

“Saxony-Anhalt is in favour of this gaming agreement with its amendments. It is now important to ensure ratification.”

Schröder added: “If the ratification fails in individual countries, then these regulations cannot be applied nationwide as of January 1, 2018. This is unfortunate, because then the current regulations simply would continue.”

“Then the execution problems would continue. That is why we are very much campaigning for the counties to ratify. If this is not the case, we need to consider how we can deal with the continuity of current regulations and what we can do to protect consumers.”

Swedish iGaming operator Betsson AB lost its bid against Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, for igaming prohibition as the Dutch court said that the iGaming ban is legal. In 2014, Betsson purchased the Dutch facing Oranje Casino and Kroon Casino online gambling brands for over €100 million, with both companies allowed to operate in the Netherlands […]

Swedish iGaming operator Betsson AB lost its bid against Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, for igaming prohibition as the Dutch court said that the iGaming ban is legal.

In 2014, Betsson purchased the Dutch facing Oranje Casino and Kroon Casino online gambling brands for over €100 million, with both companies allowed to operate in the Netherlands as their operations were compliant with Kansspelautoriteit’s rules.

Kansspelautoriteit introduced this year a new set of rules in relation for igaming prohibition in the country where online gaming operators are not allowed to target local players by using typically Dutch symbols, such as tulips and windmills.

Betsson said “the ongoing confusion in the Dutch market as unacceptable,” adding that “the current law in the Netherlands is not in line with EU law.”

Georgian media reported last week that the Republic of Georgia is planning for a total prohibition of online gambling activities and that new regulations would come soon into force by the the Ministry of Finance. While the parliamentarians are pushing for a total prohibition of online gambling activities in the country, the officials of the […]

Georgian media reported last week that the Republic of Georgia is planning for a total prohibition of online gambling activities and that new regulations would come soon into force by the the Ministry of Finance.

While the parliamentarians are pushing for a total prohibition of online gambling activities in the country, the officials of the Ministry of Finance have their doubts.

Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia, Lasha Khutsishvili, said:
“We analyse the world experience to understand how effective those are or other measures taken with respect to online gaming. The international practice shows that at present there are no effective mechanisms to actually prohibit online games. Millions are spent from the state budget on such measures, but in vain.

“The Finance Ministry is also considering this issue from the point of view of fiscal policy, full control over the Internet is associated with very high costs,” he concluded.