After long discussions the Ministry of Finance and the Israeli National Lottery (Mifal Hapayis) have come to an agreement, which could significantly change the situation of gambling in the country. The two parties finally agreed to allow the residents of Israel to play online lotteries and other games like Keno. Israeli business newsletter Calcalist announced […]

After long discussions the Ministry of Finance and the Israeli National Lottery (Mifal Hapayis) have come to an agreement, which could significantly change the situation of gambling in the country. The two parties finally agreed to allow the residents of Israel to play online lotteries and other games like Keno.

Israeli business newsletter Calcalist announced that the new permit will allow the activities of the National Lottery until the end of 2021. The two parties agreed that there will be eight Keno draws per day just for residents that live in areas that have a socio-economic rate of 6 or higher.

Meanwhile, Mifal Hapayis agreed to remove 500 slot machines and 150 keno machines after negotiations to renew its operating license did not reach an agreement. This was the condition of the Minister of Finance in order to allow the extension of Mifal Hapayis’s license “for another 48 hours in order to wind up talks.”

Moshe Kahlon, Israeli Minister of Finance, has been very vocal about his plans to shut down all gambling machines and horse racing activities in Israel.

However, Mifal Hapayis, is expected to benefit from these changes as there will be increased regulation and reliability in the country. Initially they wanted to add 14 annual lotteries to the two weekly draws they currently have.

Since Mifal Hapayis gets US$208 million from the gambling machines annually, the request has been placed to compensate this amount. However, ministry officials said that the real figure should be lower since Mifal Hapayis is given a chance to conduct extra lotteries.

Illegal gambling at internet cafes and mini-casinos appears to be a rising problem in Greece judging from the number of times unauthorised gambling operations have been brought to light. The police made 300 arrests in 51 raids in the last fortnight of 2016 alone. According to official figures released by gaming watchdog Hellenic Gaming Commission […]

Illegal gambling at internet cafes and mini-casinos appears to be a rising problem in Greece judging from the number of times unauthorised gambling operations have been brought to light. The police made 300 arrests in 51 raids in the last fortnight of 2016 alone.

According to official figures released by gaming watchdog Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), over the last year police raided 480 establishments suspected of operating unlicensed gambling terminals or illegal casino games, made a total of 1,513 arrests and seized €160,000 in cash.

During the raids authorities have also seized hundreds of computers that were illegally used as video lotto terminals (VLTs). VLTs appear to be the game of choice for Greek citizens seeking to gamble.

Experts estimate that illegal VLT gambling is 1 billion euro market in Greece and causes the loss from taxes of around 300-400 million euros.

Authorities believe that it is extremely difficult to combat this issue as the fines for operating illegal gambling machines are low compared with the profit that is potentially gained. Some illegal operators keep on offering their services in the same location even after they are being fined. One example of such case is an establishment in the centre of Serres in northern Greece that was raided eight times in under 3 months and all those times was found to be in violation of gambling law.

The Greek independent authority Commission for Supervision and Regulation of Gaming introduced a project to grant further licenses in order to operate authorised slot machines.

However, long-delayed plans to add an additional 35,000 VLTs to the Greek market have faced yet another obstacle when several local casino operators filed a formal motion to block the process based on a perceived threat to their own operations.

Brazil’s gambling vote has been long-delayed and it looks like 2017 will not be an exception. A vote to legalise gambling has been delayed again after Brazil’s law makers decided they have more important issues to deal with. Brazilians hoped to arrange a final vote on the two competing gambling bills – the Senate’s 186/2014 […]

Brazil’s gambling vote has been long-delayed and it looks like 2017 will not be an exception. A vote to legalise gambling has been delayed again after Brazil’s law makers decided they have more important issues to deal with.

Brazilians hoped to arrange a final vote on the two competing gambling bills – the Senate’s 186/2014 and the Chamber of Deputies’ 442/1991 – in December however, this plan has been cancelled.

Gambling proponent and senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho appeared on Radio Jornal de Pernambuco’s Super Morning program and informed that the 186/2014 bill had been sent to the Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship (CCJ). Coelho hoped that discussions and research on individual points of the current bill will be done promptly “so that it can finally be deliberated by the Plenary.” However, he expressed his beliefs that it might take until “March, April, (to) gather support necessary for the activity of gambling to be legalised in Brazil.”

The question of legalising gambling became even more controversial when Brazil’s Catholic clergy urged the voters to oppose gambling liberalisation and to pressure politicians to reject the project in order to prevent “irreparable moral, social and family damage.”

Coelho admitted that the religious arguments “will carry a very great weight in the debate on this issue,” but he presented the examples of other religious countries that managed to reach a compromise with gambling interests.

Coelho added that legalised gambling would offer Brazil the opportunity to “generate jobs, generate income, generate taxes, so that the country can live better times.”
Even though supporting lawmakers had promised a boost that would be provided to the struggling economy by legalising gambling, the final vote could still be the longest wait.

Residents of Singapore are receiving unsolicited gambling advertisements. The messages appearing on their phones are offering online gambling, “easy” loans and may be abetting illegal activities, according to the local privacy watchdog. From January until September 8,800 public complaints regarding text message spam promoting unauthorised online gambling services and financial loans were received by Singapore’s […]

Residents of Singapore are receiving unsolicited gambling advertisements. The messages appearing on their phones are offering online gambling, “easy” loans and may be abetting illegal activities, according to the local privacy watchdog.

From January until September 8,800 public complaints regarding text message spam promoting unauthorised online gambling services and financial loans were received by Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission.

Even though the percentage of complaints dropped down by 18% comparing to the same period in 2015, the messages account for 80% of all complaints received by the Commission.

It is noted that the actual number of messages received is likely much higher, but many Singaporeans simply did not file a complaint. The watchdog is urging the public to file a report whenever they receive an SMS or call related to loans or online gambling from an unsolicited source.

International online gambling sites started getting blocked in Singapore in February 2015. There was no progress done until October this year, when the local sports lottery provider Singapore Pools was authorised to launch an online site. Shortly after that another site was launched by the Singapore Turf Club.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is introducing a new fee structure in April 2017 that is said to benefit most of operators. However, a few of them will see their fees rise. The findings of the consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the new fee structure were announced on UKGC website. […]

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is introducing a new fee structure in April 2017 that is said to benefit most of operators. However, a few of them will see their fees rise.

The findings of the consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the new fee structure were announced on UKGC website. The responses to the consultation were received from various stakeholders, including licensed gambling operators, trade associations and members of the public.

The new fee structure will “reduce the overall fee burden across the industry by over 10%” says UKGC. Around 1900 operators will have their fees reduced (the number varies from 2% to 75%). 1000 licensees will continue to maintain the current level of the rates. For around 75 operators the new structure will mean increased fees. For these licensees the fees will rise as high as 140% of their current level.

Further, the 20 largest operators might face an additional annual payment of £164k. However, first-time licensees will get a 25% discount on their first-year fees.

The new fee structure was created to ensure that the UKGC’s costs were “recovered on a proportionate basis from different types and sizes of operator.”
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President Rodrigo Duterte announced his plans to close all online gambling firms in the Philippines. He ordered the closure saying that the government is not getting proper taxes from such operations. This has been revealed while presenting a budget for 2017, without specifying the timing of the ban and in this way leaving the country […]

President Rodrigo Duterte announced his plans to close all online gambling firms in the Philippines. He ordered the closure saying that the government is not getting proper taxes from such operations. This has been revealed while presenting a budget for 2017, without specifying the timing of the ban and in this way leaving the country worried about one of its booming industries.

“I am ordering the closure of all online gaming (firms). All of them. They have no use,“ Duterte said according to Inquirer.

In August Duterte cancelled one firm‘s 13-year monopoly on gambling in licensed cafes. He based it on disability to properly collect taxes from internet gambling as well as the risen youth participation in it.

“I was mad because even the youth are gambling and there was no way of collecting the proper taxes,” Duterte explained at the time.

“I will restore online (gambling) provided taxes are correctly collected, and they are situated or placed in districts where gambling is allowed, which means to say, not close to churches or schools,” he said.

The gaming industry in the Philippines has been attracting many foreign tourists as well as millions of dollars in investment up to date. It is estimated that the possible loss in annual revenues if the decision to shut down or not renew the licenses is taken is around $215 million.

Polish lawmakers have approved amendments to the country’s gambling legislation. Once signed by the president Andrzej Duda, the new changes will take effect on April 1, 2017. The changes to the Polish Gambling Act have already been accepted by both legislative chambers of Poland. Many of the changes purposed are already known to the public. […]

Polish lawmakers have approved amendments to the country’s gambling legislation. Once signed by the president Andrzej Duda, the new changes will take effect on April 1, 2017. The changes to the Polish Gambling Act have already been accepted by both legislative chambers of Poland.

Many of the changes purposed are already known to the public. The official reason for amending the law is to protect the players against the risk to excessive gambling and to deal with the unlicensed part of the market. However, that is not it. Adding online casino, bingo and poker games to the current online sports betting products extends the number of the permitted games significantly. Further, the new legal options will be solely dependable on the Totalizator Sportowy state gambling monopoly, which will leave international operators out of the game.

The attempts of internationally licensed operators to serve Polish users will be prevented by IP- and payment-blocking mechanisms. That is planned to be done no later than July 1, 2017.

In the meantime, Polish-licensed betting operators will be allowed to have some advertising however, the ads of banking services on their websites will be prohibited.

The amendment will not change the rules of the highly controversial 12% turnover tax which has already significantly limited the interest of operators willing to participate in Polish gaming market. However, a separate amendment regarding this matter is planned in the future.

A push to ban advertisements promoting “free” and “bonus” bets to online gamblers in Australia is backed by a newly formed body representing giant betting agencies. Responsible Wagering Australia was launched only a few weeks ago. The main goal of the association is to promote stronger regulation in the industry. The group that was founded […]

A push to ban advertisements promoting “free” and “bonus” bets to online gamblers in Australia is backed by a newly formed body representing giant betting agencies.

Responsible Wagering Australia was launched only a few weeks ago. The main goal of the association is to promote stronger regulation in the industry. The group that was founded by online companies like Unibet, Bet365, Betfair, CrownBet, Sportsbet wants a code of conduct installed. That should include responsible gambling and protocols of harm-minimisation. The group was formed to support initiatives of government in order to reduce the potential “adverse influence” of gambling.

The group is wasting no time and has already proposed actions to end so called “free bets” at online gambling sites.

At the moment every other state in Australia has its own regulation towards the issue of inducement advertising, however RWA proposes to approach it nationally.

RWA executive director Stephen Conroy told the The Sunday Mail:

“A national ban is in the long-term interests of consumers, operators and regulators, and would further strengthen harm-minimization efforts in the sector.”

“A ban that applies right across Australia is the only way to ensure that an appropriate level of consumer protection is offered, regardless of where an individual lives” Conroy added.

As the Swiss government is considering introducing limits on certain gambling sites, the Swiss Association For Information, Communications And Organisation Technology publicly expressed it disagreement with such plans. The Committee for Legal Affairs of the Swiss National Council is currently debating on a new legislation that would require ISPs to block foreign gambling sites operating […]

As the Swiss government is considering introducing limits on certain gambling sites, the Swiss Association For Information, Communications And Organisation Technology publicly expressed it disagreement with such plans.

The Committee for Legal Affairs of the Swiss National Council is currently debating on a new legislation that would require ISPs to block foreign gambling sites operating in the Swiss territory. However, the Association expressed the worries that such steps could jeopardise online security and digital economy.

They also argue that the censorship on foreign websites planned by the national Council would be easily violated. As the modern users are aware on how to simply avoid internet limitations and locks, the legislation would encourage illegal behaviour.

In such way the Swiss government would have less data on clients’ activity, therefore cyber criminals would gain more opportunities for their actions.

The Swiss Association For Information, Communications And Organisation Technology has also warned the government regarding the possible financial loss from the revenues generated by authorised companies.

Japanese parliament passed a new law to legalise land-based casinos in the country. The approval of the ‘integrated resorts’ bill ends a political argument that has been ongoing for 15 years. International Casino operators are celebrating this decision as the way for multi-billion dollar projects is now clear. The legislation was pushed through by the […]

Japanese parliament passed a new law to legalise land-based casinos in the country.

The approval of the ‘integrated resorts’ bill ends a political argument that has been ongoing for 15 years. International Casino operators are celebrating this decision as the way for multi-billion dollar projects is now clear.

The legislation was pushed through by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The idea proposed in the bill is to have large-scale integrated resorts (IRs) that would combine casinos with hotels and shopping facilities.

According to the Daiwa Research Institute, it is estimated that the casinos could generate nearly $10 billion in net profit per year.

Despite the possible money flow, the objections from the Democratic Party were fierce. The main concerns that were shared were regarding gambling addiction and money laundering.

NHK reported that 44% of Japanese opposed casinos, with only 12% supporting the bill and 34% of respondents being undecided.

Pro-casino lawmakers promised to implement the right measures in order to prevent the possible negative aspects of the decision: “We need to develop an environment where treatment such as training for specialised treatment and consultation can be received when necessary,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Despite the fact that the decision has already been taken, casinos are not expected to be open until 2022 at the earliest. Further legislation is required for regulation, tax rates and other matters.

Even though casinos were previously outlawed in Japan, bets on horse, boat and bicycle races through government-backed bookmakers were legal.

Polish government is preparing a new gambling bill that would allow sports betting and online poker in the country. Gambling was outlawed in Poland seven years ago. In an interview with Polish radio Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin said that “Poland suffered enormous, multibillion losses” when a Gambling act banning gambling outside casinos and online […]

Polish government is preparing a new gambling bill that would allow sports betting and online poker in the country. Gambling was outlawed in Poland seven years ago.

In an interview with Polish radio Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin said that “Poland suffered enormous, multibillion losses” when a Gambling act banning gambling outside casinos and online was introduced by the previous Polish government in 2009.

“That is why a few months ago we decided to change the law so that money flowed back into the budget,” Gowin explained.

Further, he assured that Poland has consulted with the European Commission and the green light to move ahead with the project was received.

Based on the latest draft, slot machines would be nationalised, operating solely under national lottery services.

Gowin said that bookmakers, however, would still operate in the fringe economy. The standard IP and payment – blocking mechanisms are planned to be used as enforcement methods against international operators providing services to the Polish market. The ministry informed that “more severe consequences” will be used for operators who continue to disregard the law.

“Over the next several months gambling will remain in [a shady area of the economy], and Poles will continue to lose PLN 100-300 million a month,” the deputy prime minister said.

Previously it was said that the new law was supposed to take effect on January 1 next year. However, at the moment revisions are waiting for approval from the various branches of government.

A second bill will be planned once the first law goes through, Gowin explained. This would “liberalise” the system to make it “safe to use bookmaker services, and play poker online”.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) asserted its authority over the right to regulate offshore online gaming. PAGCOR issued a statement saying that its move to grant a new type of license called Philippine Online Gaming Operation (POGO) was “within the bounds of its charter” which allowed it to “operate, authorise and license games […]

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) asserted its authority over the right to regulate offshore online gaming.

PAGCOR issued a statement saying that its move to grant a new type of license called Philippine Online Gaming Operation (POGO) was “within the bounds of its charter” which allowed it to “operate, authorise and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers” in the Philippines.

“Gaming or gambling, as defined, is a game of scheme, whether upon chance or skills wherein wagers consisting of money or articles of value or representative of value are made,” said PAGCOR and added that the location of the player (whether in the Philippines or overseas) was irrelevant.

„As long as the game is produced and its operation managed within the Philippine territory, it falls within PAGCOR’s jurisdiction,” claims PAGCOR in the statement. “The POGO rules were issued to regulate online gaming being produced in the Philippines despite being streamed abroad.”

The statement was issued as a reaction to the challenge filed by the local anti-corruption advocates at the Union for National Development and Good Governance-Philippines (UNLAD). The petition before the Supreme Court aimed to nullify the regulation that allowed PAGCOR to issue offshore gaming licences. The first 35 licences were already awarded last week.

UNLAD claimed that PAGCOR does not have the authority to regulate online operators offering services to gamblers outside the Philippines. PAGCOR contradicted the statement and also challenged UNLAD to provide information on who should be responsible for this sector.

“If we are to agree with their proposition that PAGCOR is bereft of regulatory authority over these online gaming operators, then who has the authority to regulate online games in the Philippines?” PAGCOR asked in the statement.