The UK government has agreed to consider handing over the power to ban Fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to Wales. FOBTs (also known as B2 machines) are the touch screen electronic gaming machines that can be found in betting shops across all the United Kingdom. Wales Office Minister Lord Bourne said this decision was taken […]

The UK government has agreed to consider handing over the power to ban Fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to Wales. FOBTs (also known as B2 machines) are the touch screen electronic gaming machines that can be found in betting shops across all the United Kingdom.

Wales Office Minister Lord Bourne said this decision was taken after protests in the House of Lords.

At the moment gambling authority is reserved to Westminster. However, this might change soon as responsibility for FOBTs is already being devolved to Scotland. Labour peer Baroness Morgan tabled an amendment to the Wales Bill seeking the power to manage their FOBTs locally.

“Many, often vulnerable, people are attracted by the prospect of high payouts of up to £500,” Baroness Morgan commented.

“Evidence suggests that these machines are highly addictive, causing real and lasting damage to gamblers.

“They have become a huge problem in communities that are often struggling to cope with under-investment and high unemployment, exacerbating the problem of gambling more than any other former of betting.”

FOBTs have come under heavy criticism in the UK recently. Last month, Carolyn Harris, Swansea East MP, told the BBC that the FOBTs were capable of eating ‘£100 every 20 seconds and £300 per minute.’

“The machine doesn’t give the punter, as they like to call them, the opportunity to stop and think about what they’re doing. It’s so rapid, it’s literally pressing a button,” explained Carolyn Harris.

Further, campaigners are now lobbying for the maximum stake to be reduced from £100 to £2 per go. Lord Bourne assured that he would look at the FOBT issue and reflect on it shortly.

Russian government has modified the tax policy in favour of licensed sports betting operators. Further reductions have been proposed to bookmakers’ mandatory contributions to Russian sports bodies. In March this year it was announced that licensed bookmakers will have to contribute with 5% of their revenues, having a minimum quarterly payment of US $232,000. At […]

Russian government has modified the tax policy in favour of licensed sports betting operators. Further reductions have been proposed to bookmakers’ mandatory contributions to Russian sports bodies.

In March this year it was announced that licensed bookmakers will have to contribute with 5% of their revenues, having a minimum quarterly payment of US $232,000. At that time online sports betting operators threatened to leave Russian market. Last month a new amendment was proposed to reduce the tax to 3%.

Following requests from betting operators that are already struggling with heightened regulatory fees, the Ministry of Finance reduced mandatory contribution to 1% of online and land-based betting revenue.

Darina Denisov, president of the Bookmakers Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO), emphasised that in the future the government should discuss such measures with the operators before the announcement of “extreme tax proposals that cause such turmoil.”

Nikolai Oganezov, the former president of the Bookmakers SRO, said that “you can, of course, to some extent, be happy that the Ministry of Finance took the side of reality, but the 1% tax must be viewed in the totality of all taxes.”

Konstantin Makarov, Bingo Boom CE, commented that the 1% sports tax was still a significant sum but believes the industry can absorb it.

The Senate’s Special Committee on National Development (CDEN) has approved a bill for online gambling, bringing the country one step closer towards launching a regulated online gambling market. SB 186/2014 aims to set up a legal structure that would permit land-based casinos, video lottery and other gambling options, such as bingo halls, sports betting or […]

The Senate’s Special Committee on National Development (CDEN) has approved a bill for online gambling, bringing the country one step closer towards launching a regulated online gambling market.

SB 186/2014 aims to set up a legal structure that would permit land-based casinos, video lottery and other gambling options, such as bingo halls, sports betting or horse racing wagering.

Gambling is currently illegal in Brazil and it has been outlawed for the last 70 years. However, many Brazilians are involved in underground activities. One of the most popular one is “Jogo do Bicho” or “animal game” lottery. With changes in the gaming law, this lottery type which is currently outlawed in 25 states, would gain legal status.

The President of the Brazilian Institute of Gaming has estimated that around 200,000 Brazilians travel outside the country every month in order to gamble. E.g., 70% of gamblers in Uruguayan casinos are Brazilian.

SB 186/2014 specifies that at least 40% of casinos be built in the Central, Northeast, and North regions. Further, national lottery operator Caixa Economica Federal and its subsidiaries would have exclusive rights to offer online sports betting.

The CDEN approved the original version of the bill almost a year ago, but senators proposed 16 amendments to it. The full Senate will have to approve the bill now in order to take it to the next stage. The hearing is expected to take place later this week.

William Hill comments on the matter saying that legalising casinos in Brazil “would be one of the most significant events in gaming history”.

Online gambling companies offering services in Australia will now have to acquire local licences or will face heavy fines. The new Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 is a result of almost a year-long work on online gambling in Australia. Earlier this year Alan Tudge, Human Services Minister, proposed to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. […]

Online gambling companies offering services in Australia will now have to acquire local licences or will face heavy fines.

The new Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 is a result of almost a year-long work on online gambling in Australia. Earlier this year Alan Tudge, Human Services Minister, proposed to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Loopholes in the law were used to get around with the restrictions on online betting, enabling gambling operators in the country to simulate a phone call also known as “click to call”.

The new bill will amend any vague and ambiguous parts in the law making it perfectly clear that any gambling firm accepting a bet from an Australian customer without a local licence is working illegally. Further, Australian Communications and Media Authority will be allowed to impose civil penalties without having to involve the Australian Federal Police.

Individuals breaking the law will face fines up to AUD 1.35 million per day, companies will be charged AUD 6.75 million.

The effort to revamp Australian market consists of many measures taken by the government, including banning in-play betting apps, cracking down on internationally licensed operators, establishing of a National Consumer Protection Framework and creating a black-list of operators that consumers should avoid.

Alan Tudge comments in The Guardian newspaper: “Currently hundreds of illegal gambling services are easily accessible on the internet and we know that people are more likely to get into trouble online – 2.7% of interactive gamblers are problem gamblers compared to 0.9% of all gamblers.”

“We expect online wagering providers to meet community expectations; the tougher laws will seriously disrupt illegal offshore providers from acting unscrupulously or targeting vulnerable Australians.

“The government is committed to taking tougher action against illegal offshore wagering providers and this bill does exactly that.”

Hundreds of online gambling affiliates have been warned by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding the nuisance texts. ICO has launched an investigation into claims that companies are bombarding millions of people with spam messages. The watchdog agency released a notice expressing the concern that companies may not be using personal data in accordance with […]

Hundreds of online gambling affiliates have been warned by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding the nuisance texts.

ICO has launched an investigation into claims that companies are bombarding millions of people with spam messages. The watchdog agency released a notice expressing the concern that companies may not be using personal data in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

More than 400 letters were sent out by ICO to companies that are believed to be using customers’ personal details to promote gambling services via text messaging services improperly. ICO is demanding details on how firms are targeting people, where they got people’s private information from and how many marketing texts they have sent.

“The ICO is writing to companies identified as being involved in affiliate marketing,” ICO said in a statement. “This is when firms offer to pay organisations that bring them new customers, sometimes leading to a situation where neither party is taking any responsibility for complying with the rules. The gambling sector is an area where the ICO has become aware of particular problems around affiliate marketing.”

David Clancy, the ICO’s anti-spam investigations manager, said the watchdog was able to progress with investigation and act “thanks to consumers who’ve reported spam texts to us, as well as intelligence from other sources”.

“Companies must comply with the law when using people’s personal information. Not knowing the law or trying to pass the buck to another company in the chain is no excuse. The public expect firms to be accountable for how they obtain and use personal data when marketing by phone, email or text. Fail to be accountable and you could be breaking the law, risking ICO enforcement action and the future of your business” commented David Clancy of the ICO.

The agency warned the suspected offenders that fines for serious violations of data laws can be as high as £500,000.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received 1,161 complaints from the public on gambling promotions related activities from 2015 until September this year. MCMC Minister Salleh Said Keruak said that following these complaints the commission took steps to gather information and to share the details with the police for further investigations. As a result, […]

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received 1,161 complaints from the public on gambling promotions related activities from 2015 until September this year.

MCMC Minister Salleh Said Keruak said that following these complaints the commission took steps to gather information and to share the details with the police for further investigations. As a result, a total of 12,449 mobile phone numbers that were used to promote illegal gambling operations via SMS were cancelled.

Regarding the collaboration with Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Salleh Said Keruak said that “cooperation between MCMC and PDRM was already established to curb online gambling, including aspects of joint monitoring, detection, information sharing, digital forensics, termination of phone numbers and blocking of online gambling websites“.

The commission was operating under Section 263(2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which instructs service providers to terminate phone numbers involved in distributing gambling related SMSes.

According to the minister, the SMSes with gambling promotions did not target specific users. Based on analysis carried out by MCMC, they were sent out as spam messages to random phone numbers, without knowing the identity of the receivers or whether those phone numbers were active at all.

“MCMC also cooperates with telecommunication service providers in tracking down the spread of such SMSes to protect the privacy of users. Service providers have also provided a screening system to block the transmission of SMSes promoting online gambling activities,” Salleh commented on the event.

MCMC claimed last year that the growth of SMS gambling promos shows success in government’s attempt to combat illegal gambling websites. In April Malaysia’s deputy prime minister announced a plan to allow harsher sanctions for illegal gambling, having an emphasis on online gambling operators.

The Melco-Hard Rock Resorts Cyprus consortium has been granted the rights to create the first casino gaming venue in the Republic of Cyprus. “The consortium has been invited by the coordinating committee to submit an application for licensing, under which the due diligence check will be carried out as provided by the documents of the […]

The Melco-Hard Rock Resorts Cyprus consortium has been granted the rights to create the first casino gaming venue in the Republic of Cyprus.

“The consortium has been invited by the coordinating committee to submit an application for licensing, under which the due diligence check will be carried out as provided by the documents of the invitation and the law. Subject to the successful completion of the aforementioned control, the permit will be issued,” commented country’s Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism in the local media.

The winning consortium comprises of Melco International Development Limited of Macau, Hard Rock of Las Vegas and Phassouri of Cyprus. Initially, three candidates were shortlisted for the competition however, Cambodia’s NagaCorp and the Philippines’ Bloomberry Resorts dropped out of the race just before the deadline in October. Therefore Melco-Hard Rock had no competition at the end.

Undersecretary to the President Constantinos Petrides said that the construction work is expected to commence as early as the first quarter of 2017. It is believed that the new casino will bring at least €500 million in foreign investment funds, create jobs in the country and boost the tourism industry.

The developer will have to make sure that the casino has at least 100 gambling tables, more than 1000 slot machines and a 500-rooms hotel. Melco-Hard Rock will have a 15 year exclusivity period, the licence will be valid for 30 years.

New anti-money laundering (AML) legislation in Philippines will now include online gambling sites licensed in the country. A bill mandating casinos to report all the suspicious transactions to AML Council has been proposed in the House of Representatives. Earlier this year Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. proposed a plan to introduce a new legislation (HB 14) […]

New anti-money laundering (AML) legislation in Philippines will now include online gambling sites licensed in the country. A bill mandating casinos to report all the suspicious transactions to AML Council has been proposed in the House of Representatives.

Earlier this year Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. proposed a plan to introduce a new legislation (HB 14) that would revoke the exemption casinos received under Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.

According to the Manila Times, Belmonte included online gambling sites in the list of gaming operators that must report all suspicious transactions to the AML Council, regardless of the amount involved.

Money laundering is defined as “a crime whereby the proceeds of an unlawful activity are transacted, thereby making them appear to have originated from legitimate sources.”

The bill states that regardless the amount involved, suspicious transactions exist when an operator knows, suspects or has reason to suspect, or should have known by due diligence that the transaction:
a) involves funds from an unlawful activity or money laundering offence; b) is designed to evade any of the requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering Law; c) has no business or apparent lawful purpose or is not sort in which the particular customer would normally be expected to engage and the casino operator or any of its employees knows of no reasonable explanation for the transaction after examining facts and background of possible purpose of transaction; and d) involves the use of casinos to facilitate unlawful activity money laundering and terrorist financing.

The new requirement will apply to all Philippine-based online operators. All the operators licensed either under the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority or via the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will fall under the same requirements.

HB 14 will also grant the Anti-Money Laundering Council the power to conduct on-site inspection of records and documents, as well as examine any particular account that is deemed related to any unlawful activity or money laundering or financing of terrorism offence.

“The significance of including the casino sector under the coverage of the Anti-Money Laundering Law was underscored by the Bangladesh Bank heist. The funds entered the Philippine banking system and made their way to local casinos and junket operators, where the money was reportedly laundered and transferred overseas,” Belmonte commented on the decision in his Explanatory Note.

According to the Euractiv’s reports, by next year many casinos and gaming halls in Germany will risk losing their licenses. Germany’s gambling law has been in transitional period since 2012. German regulators are now set to implement stricter gambling rules and have the new law implemented in January 2017. Since the European Court of Justice […]

According to the Euractiv’s reports, by next year many casinos and gaming halls in Germany will risk losing their licenses. Germany’s gambling law has been in transitional period since 2012. German regulators are now set to implement stricter gambling rules and have the new law implemented in January 2017.

Since the European Court of Justice declared that previous Germany’s regulations did not comply with EU law, necessity for insuring a new legislation appeared bringing uncertainty to the German gambling sector.

“Our entrepreneurs have not had the chance to adapt to the situation, because they are largely uncertain whether they are going to even be able to continue running their operations or employing people,” commented Georg Stecker, the German gaming industry board’s spokesperson.

However, Berlin urban development expert Daniel Buchholz welcomed the change:
“Finally, most of the gambling halls in Berlin and Spandau will have to close! Gambling addiction destroys people and communities. Thanks to strict gaming hall rules in Germany we have been able to stop a new flood of casinos.”

Since July 31, gaming regulators in Berlin have been issuing licences to new operators if their premises are at least 500 metres away from a similar establishment. Based on such and similar rules, thousands of premises in Germany may be closed.

According to Stecker, the changes are alarming as they could penalise operators who, until recently, were not in breach of any regulations.

The new cryptocurrency Zcash is officially launched. In Italy this new currency, which promises a strong focus on anonymity, is greeted with a plan to ban fully anonymous digital currencies. Zcash was not even released to the public when it already started causing controversy in the country. As a result, the lawmakers of Italy decided […]

The new cryptocurrency Zcash is officially launched. In Italy this new currency, which promises a strong focus on anonymity, is greeted with a plan to ban fully anonymous digital currencies.

Zcash was not even released to the public when it already started causing controversy in the country. As a result, the lawmakers of Italy decided to sign a new bill banning anonymous cryptocurrencies that are becoming strong contenders for older alternative coins.

IT expert and a member of the Italian Parliament Stefano Quintarelli tweeted last week that “in 14 MPs we proposed a bill in Italy to ban fully anonymous cryptocurrencies.”

Even though Italy is not the first country not being keen on the digital currency, the decision comes at a difficult time, as Italy is dealing with a looming financial crisis. The Italian government allows Bitcoin without any regulation, however they frown upon other digital currencies that could gain mainstream traction.

Digital currency community members are not amused by this decision, however it is doubtful if this bill will ever turn into law.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) proposed changes to its Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS). The UKGC claims in its statement that the consultation “seeks to ensure consumers are provided with sufficient information to gamble responsibly whilst delivering an effective and proportionate regulatory framework”. One of the proposed new requirements is to allow customers […]

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) proposed changes to its Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS).

The UKGC claims in its statement that the consultation “seeks to ensure consumers are provided with sufficient information to gamble responsibly whilst delivering an effective and proportionate regulatory framework”.

One of the proposed new requirements is to allow customers to “choose whether to automatically accept price fluctuations that occur after a bet is placed.” Operators would be required to provide sufficient information for the customers making sure all the options are clearly understood.

New rules are about to be faced by online poker operators as well. In regards to the funds that are being confiscated from players, UKGC is seeking to ensure that sufficient information is provided to players on what happens to confiscated funds.

Operators will also be requested to display what third-party software they permit on their sites and periodically send out email reminders of third-party software policy. In case any type of software is banned, measures will have to be in place in order to deter, prevent and detect their use.

Reinforcement of existing requirements is also proposed. The UKGC is willing to request operators to ensure that customers set their financial limits at an account level, not just on an individual product basis.

Since last year, when UKGC launched a consultation on RTS, there was a number of proposed revisions on the matter. Industry members are now invited to provide their input to the consultation. UKGC is planning to stage workshops at the end of this year to work on specific issues concerning the draft proposals.

The government of South Korea announced that it will offer $2.65 billion in financial support over the next three years to develop the FinTech sector in the country. It is expected that this move will also expand the system of digital currency like bitcoin. The government is planning to establish pilot projects by the end […]

The government of South Korea announced that it will offer $2.65 billion in financial support over the next three years to develop the FinTech sector in the country. It is expected that this move will also expand the system of digital currency like bitcoin. The government is planning to establish pilot projects by the end of this year.

Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, said: “The government will push for the systemization of digital currency on a full scale in tandem with a global trend in the U.S., Japan and other countries.”

This isn’t the first time South Korea is involving itself with bitcoin and its underlying technology, the blockchain. The latest announcement regarding the expansion of the digital currency to boost its FinTech sector proves the point that South Korea is planning to become an attractive destination for startups in the future.

Yim Jong-yong commented: “Blockchain technology is emerging as the core infrastructure of future finance”.

“We will take the lead in the convergence of new emerging technologies such as digital currencies and blockchains and financial service,” Yim added.