Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has signed an executive order that brings clarity to country’s online gambling market while establishing the definition of the issue, clarifying the extent of authority for the regulation and licensing of online gambling operations. The Executive Order No. 13 was created as a measure to have the total […]

Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has signed an executive order that brings clarity to country’s online gambling market while establishing the definition of the issue, clarifying the extent of authority for the regulation and licensing of online gambling operations.

The Executive Order No. 13 was created as a measure to have the total shut down on illegal online gambling in the Philippines. It gives the power to PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) to grant iGaming licences and prohibit any platforms that operate without official permission.

“The State condemns the existence of illegal gambling activities as a widespread social menace and source of corruption, as it has become an influential factor in an individual’s disregard for the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift,” states the order.

Under the new commands, the Philippines National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will work together with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in order to fight against unauthorised gaming activities.

The order notes that there are multiple gaming licensing jurisdictions within the country besides PAGCOR, including the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO). They all will be able to grant gaming permissions under the new law.

Australia’s broadcasters have expressed their discontent with the attempts to ban advertising of betting odds and commercials during live sporting broadcasts. The rules on interactive gambling are planned to be tightened following recommendations made in the 2015 Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering. The initial proposal allowed gaming advertisements on television and radio, but the ruling […]

Australia’s broadcasters have expressed their discontent with the attempts to ban advertising of betting odds and commercials during live sporting broadcasts.

The rules on interactive gambling are planned to be tightened following recommendations made in the 2015 Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering.

The initial proposal allowed gaming advertisements on television and radio, but the ruling administration introduced an amendment that would outlaw them from live sports broadcasts.

“The House calls on the Government to work with the broadcasting industry and national sporting organisations on a transition plan to phase out the promotion of betting odds and commercials relating to betting or gambling before and during live sporting broadcasts, with a view to their prohibition,” the amendment introduced by acting opposition Communications spokesman Mark Dreyfus and Labor spokesperson for gambling Julie Collins states.

According to Dreyfus, the current restrictions should be extended to ensure there is no promotion of betting odds or gambling advertising before a game, and even during scheduled breaks.

Lobby group against the measure Free TV believes that the amendments are both “unwarranted” and “unnecessary”.

“Commercial broadcasters already have the most comprehensive, targeted set of restrictions on the promotion of betting services of any media platform in Australia,” states Free TV chief executive Brett Savill.

“Introducing new restrictions which single-out free to air television — which continues to be the most heavily regulated media platform in Australia — is entirely unnecessary,” the lobby group believes.

“In fact, doing so would risk regulatory bypass and put commercial free to air broadcasters at a competitive disadvantage compared to other media platforms, while failing to achieve the policy intent.”

The largest expo of the year dedicated to gambling industry started yesterday in London. Professionals from around the globe are gathering to London ExCeL to check out the newest innovations, products, sessions and participate in offered networking opportunities. Whatever you are working on, be it betting, casino, or bingo, you will find a platform that […]

The largest expo of the year dedicated to gambling industry started yesterday in London. Professionals from around the globe are gathering to London ExCeL to check out the newest innovations, products, sessions and participate in offered networking opportunities.

Whatever you are working on, be it betting, casino, or bingo, you will find a platform that will interest and inspire you. The biggest companies of the industry are taking part in the event.

One of the most popular panels is the one dedicated to Blockchain. It becomes more and more obvious that this technology has started seriously attracting the attention of the gambling industry.

“We are really on the verge of big things between the gaming industry and blockchain– blockchain as a technology supporting different services and of course crypto/digital currencies. 2017 can be a big year for a combination of these activities and industries. We’ve passed the Proof of Concept stage and now we’re getting into the real activities”, Eddy Travia of Coinsilium was quoted by CalvinAyre.com. “In the long term, there will be plenty of very interesting collaboration between the two spaces”, he added.

“If you’re not doing something in Blockchain as an operator you’re going to be blindsided. It is a tsunami and this technology will change everything”, said Adam Vaziri of Diacle.

“If you want the benefits of blockchain you have to go ‘all-in’”, said Vaziri. He advised operators to build their companies right from the bottom on the Blockchain if they want 80% efficiencies. “Shorttermism is not going to take you anywhere…if you dabble…if you want the benefits, you have to be a pioneer and you have to be all-in”, explained Vaziri.

Last year ICE 2016 had a record attendance of 28,487, increasing the reputation of ICE as the most international business event anywhere in gaming.

The Vietnamese government made a historic decision to legalise sports betting. The formal decree legalising betting on international football matches, as well as horse- and dog-racing has been released at the end of last week. The new legislation, signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, will take effect from March 31. Online betting is out […]

The Vietnamese government made a historic decision to legalise sports betting. The formal decree legalising betting on international football matches, as well as horse- and dog-racing has been released at the end of last week. The new legislation, signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, will take effect from March 31.

Online betting is out of question for now, the decree legalises gaming through only land-based platforms. Some other conditions are established by the lawmakers. Only those above 21 years old are allowed to gamble, the minimum bet will be VND$1,000 (US$4.42 cents) and the daily maximum limit of VND$1 million (US$40).

Further, the sports betting places will have to be located at least 500 meters away from schools and public venues for children. The decree only allows betting on international soccer games that are recognised by FIFA and approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Only one company will be allowed to do this business. The government decided that selected company must have an investment capital of at least 1 trillion dong ($44 million). The business will continue for five year trial period. After that, the decision will be taken, whether to continue this project.

This is not the first step taken by the Vietnamese government in order to innovate the gaming industry in the country. Last month, the government issued a decree allowing Vietnamese citizens to gamble in the casinos that were previously open to the foreigners only.

Greek lottery and betting operator OPAP has announced that its entire digital sports betting operation will be migrated to the new Betgenius sportsbook platform. Under the new agreement, Betgenius will also become OPAP’s primary provider of in-play data, delivering fully-automated, real-time prices for around 130,000 sports events annually. OPAP is also choosing to use Betgenius […]

Greek lottery and betting operator OPAP has announced that its entire digital sports betting operation will be migrated to the new Betgenius sportsbook platform.

Under the new agreement, Betgenius will also become OPAP’s primary provider of in-play data, delivering fully-automated, real-time prices for around 130,000 sports events annually.

OPAP is also choosing to use Betgenius Sportsbook Platform’s full back office suite, CRM and marketing tools, outsourced trading and UX development across all digital channels.

Commenting on the news OPAP Chief Executive Officer, Damian Cope said: “We are very pleased to be announcing this deal with Betgenius, which is an important step in building a world class portfolio of products and services for OPAP’s customers. Our cooperation with Betgenius will allow us to be in more control of our digital sportsbook product and also provide the flexibility to enable us to react quickly to the fast-changing world of digital sports betting.”

According to Betgenius, its platform offers a “highly scalable, modular solution which gives operators maximum control, particularly around the delivery of differentiation in front-end design”.

Jack Davison, Managing Director of Betgenius, commented: “We are hugely proud and excited to have been selected by OPAP as a key partner in its efforts to offer its customers the best sports betting experience possible. The Betgenius Sportsbook Platform has been developed with speed, flexibility and scalability at its heart, and allows us to uphold the same high standards in technology and customer service to which we have always been committed.”

In the Netherlands, the Dutch Lower House passed a bill that allows privatising of the state-owned gambling operator Holland Casino. This can be done before having some of its licences sold off. The bill, however, must still pass the Senate before it can come to an effect, although this is not expected to happen before […]

In the Netherlands, the Dutch Lower House passed a bill that allows privatising of the state-owned gambling operator Holland Casino. This can be done before having some of its licences sold off. The bill, however, must still pass the Senate before it can come to an effect, although this is not expected to happen before the end of March.

Holland Casino at the moment is the only land-based casino operator that is legally permitted to offer live table games, such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack. Its sale might net the state as much as 1bn euro.

The legislation proposes that 14 individual branches of Holland Casino will be split up. 10 of them will still remain part of the casino and 4 will be sold. An additional two land-based casino licenses will be newly created. The consequences resulting from the new measures will be evaluated after five years.

The bill states that the buyer of Holland Casino and its ten casinos would not be allowed to acquire any of the remaining six licenses. Further, future operators will be required to guarantee the jobs of all employees at their purchased venues. They will also be prohibited from offering bonuses or loyalty programs.

Willem Van Oort, the founder of Gaming In Holland, said that without any doubts the progress has been made:

“By and large, the adoption of this bill is a significant victory for the liberalisation of gambling in The Netherlands”.

“However, the bill must still pass the Senate, which will almost certainly not happen before the lower house elections of March. It is thus not entirely unthinkable, depending on the next government, that further consideration of the bill will [be] delayed or even indefinitely postponed” stated Van Oort.

Bitcoin startup Xapo has revealed that a “conditional approval” from Switzerland’s financial regulator to operate in the country was received. It was announced by Xapo CEO Wences Casares: “After almost two years of substantial effort and investment, Xapo has received conditional approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate in Switzerland,” he […]

Bitcoin startup Xapo has revealed that a “conditional approval” from Switzerland’s financial regulator to operate in the country was received.

It was announced by Xapo CEO Wences Casares: “After almost two years of substantial effort and investment, Xapo has received conditional approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate in Switzerland,” he said in a blog on the company’s website.

The preliminary approval depended on several factors, including a mandatory membership with the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO). However, Casares said that the company was optimistic the conditions would be met.

According to Olga Feldmeier, a former managing partner of Xapo, who is in charge of the Swiss licensing process for the company, Xapo does not need to secure a costly banking license because FINMA has designated the bitcoin wallet as a “financial intermediary”.

Switzerland already hosts a number of cryptocurrency companies, but Xapo’s operation as a bitcoin wallet provider had raised questions over whether it required a banking licence. The facts that the company does not accept deposits and is serving non-U.S. customers from Switzerland are working as an advantage for now.

Recently, Swiss authorities have been very clear about their plans to catch up with the rapidly changing financial technology landscape and to secure a leading role for their country.

Australian poker players are not letting it go without a fight. The supporters of online poker created the “Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA)” to encourage authorities to legalise the sector. They are gathering opponents against an amendment to the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act, introduced to parliament in November. AOPA introduces a framework to regulate the […]

Australian poker players are not letting it go without a fight. The supporters of online poker created the “Australian Online Poker Alliance (AOPA)” to encourage authorities to legalise the sector. They are gathering opponents against an amendment to the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act, introduced to parliament in November. AOPA introduces a framework to regulate the sector and offers ways how the Australian government could benefit from that.

Until the amendment was introduced, online poker had operated in what was considered to be a “grey area” of the law. The new law was introduced to toughen the situation for offshore, illegal operators that are willing to target Australians. However, it added an effect of banning online poker. Since according to the new law, only operators holding a license in Australia are able to offer their services to Australians and the only licence given is for online sports betting, the poker sites would have no other choice but to quite the market or break the law.

Shortly after the amendment was introduced, 888Poker has exited the market. PokerStars indicated they will be following the same path.

AOPA is offering a way to discuss the issue and gather those who care about the poker to join the cause. They are encouraging the residents to contact the local elected members of the Parliament, express their disagreement and spread the awareness.

AOPA is gaining high recognition among online poker supporters.

“It is amazing just how many poker players have come out and supported our fight to keep online poker in Australia,” said Joseph Del Duca, one of AOPA’s representatives. “The support has ranged from people of all ages from right across the country. It just shows that poker is truly a game which can be enjoyed by everyone. This is why we are fighting so hard to keep it.”

According to the local branch of the Transparency International (TI) non-governmental organisation, the new online gambling law in the Czech Republic is not working efficiently. Last year the country took some measures to regulate its gambling market in order to ensure compliance with EU regulatory standards. The new law took effect on January 1, 2017. […]

According to the local branch of the Transparency International (TI) non-governmental organisation, the new online gambling law in the Czech Republic is not working efficiently. Last year the country took some measures to regulate its gambling market in order to ensure compliance with EU regulatory standards. The new law took effect on January 1, 2017.

Under the new regulation, operators wishing to offer gambling services to the local market must first obtain a license. Providing unlicensed services is strictly prohibited and leads to the prosecution from the national regulator and police.

However, despite the new law, 25 companies are still offering gambling services without a licence. As revealed by David Ondracka, Director of TI’s Czech branch, officials have not taken measures yet to block such operators and urged the country’s Finance Ministry to take actions against violators. Ondracka intends to follow up on the matter again in April to see if appropriate measures are taken. He encouraged responsible officials to introduce IP blockage and in this way drive away operators acting against the law.

Even though the system has been changed in a way that was satisfying to the European Commission, industry insiders suggest that wider attention will not be attracted. Because of a taxation regime, introduced by Czech lawmakers, it will not be appealing to the most of operators. Apart from the tighter licensing process, companies providing services to Czech gambling customers have to pay 35% tax on full-year gross gaming revenue.

The Vietnamese government published a decree that regulates the citizens’ participation in legal casinos and gaming centres. Vietnamese citizens will no longer be prohibited from gambling. According to the launched pilot scheme, locals will be allowed to play in two properties – one on the Phu Quoc island and the other in the Quang Ninh […]

The Vietnamese government published a decree that regulates the citizens’ participation in legal casinos and gaming centres. Vietnamese citizens will no longer be prohibited from gambling. According to the launched pilot scheme, locals will be allowed to play in two properties – one on the Phu Quoc island and the other in the Quang Ninh province.

Analysts warn that casinos located in the countries neighbouring Vietnam are to be seriously affected by this decision:

“We would expect many to struggle to survive over the duration of the three-year Vietnam locals pilot program,” said Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen.

The decree will come into effect on March 15. The measure will allow Vietnamese citizens who are over 21 and have a monthly income of more than VND10 million ($443) to participate in selected casinos.

Although the pilot programme involves only two casinos, other casinos are not prohibited from joining it. However, they must be part of an entertainment and hotel complex project, have an investment capital of at least $2 billion and comply with a number of other requirements.

Currently, less than 10 casinos operate in Vietnam and are open to foreign passport-holders only. After three years the government will review the programme and determine whether the ban should be removed permanently. However, the government has retained the option to cancel the program at any time, if it finds it necessary.

The plans to require internet service providers (ISPs) to block the domains of international online gambling sites are cancelled. Despite the objections from the industry, earlier this month the Council of States approved this change. However, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council has just voted to remove the domain blocking from the […]

The plans to require internet service providers (ISPs) to block the domains of international online gambling sites are cancelled. Despite the objections from the industry, earlier this month the Council of States approved this change. However, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council has just voted to remove the domain blocking from the proposed gambling legislation.

The reason of the proposal was to support land-based casinos in Switzerland that are struggling financially. They were hoping that the blocks would help out the situation until expected regulation arrives around 2019. The new law is supposed to allow Swiss casinos to offer online versions of their activities.

However, ISPs were not willing to bear the costs and demanded that casinos pay for the changes even though the government ordered the blocks.

The latest decision is to re-examine the matter in five years. At the moment, the Federal Gaming Commission is authorised to issue warning to online operators that are offending the law and to prosecute those who neglect the warnings.

Despite the compromise taken, the National Council can still include the domain blocking in the final version of the gambling legislation. The government‘s spring session will end on March 17.

The Israel Tax Authority (ITA) has released an official draft circular to clarify the tax guidelines on virtual currencies like bitcoin. It announced the decision to treat digital currencies as assets that are taxable. “According to the Bank of Israel, virtual currency is not considered ‘foreign currency,’ and therefore these coins will be considered in […]

The Israel Tax Authority (ITA) has released an official draft circular to clarify the tax guidelines on virtual currencies like bitcoin. It announced the decision to treat digital currencies as assets that are taxable.

“According to the Bank of Israel, virtual currency is not considered ‘foreign currency,’ and therefore these coins will be considered in accordance with the Income Tax Ordinance as ‘assets’ and their sale will be taxed as a sale of ‘property’ and income from their sale will be classified as capital income and capital gains will be taxed according to the fixed tax rates,” ITA said in the statement.

Every time individual users sell bitcoin, they will be obliged to pay the country’s capital gains tax, which starts at 25%. Further, companies will no longer be able to receive bitcoin transactions as settlements for various services. Companies receiving cryptocurrency payments will have to treat them as barter transactions.

The ITA claims that the circular was announced as a response to multiple requests to clarify the taxation status received from the cryptocurrency community in Israel. However, it is not clear yet when Israel will implement the changes.

Israel‘s decision to tax cryptocurrency is not an exceptional case. Two years ago the United States took a similar decision and classified digital currency as a taxable property. However, it does not follow the latest softer approach towards bitcoin that is increasingly taken by other countries around the world.