The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), gaming regulator in the Netherlands, is changing its way towards approaching unauthorised online gambling operators. The regulatory body announced that a new policy towards illegal online gambling operators is being adopted as of January 1, 2017. The KSA states that any operators found to be doing business in breach of its regulations […]

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), gaming regulator in the Netherlands, is changing its way towards approaching unauthorised online gambling operators. The regulatory body announced that a new policy towards illegal online gambling operators is being adopted as of January 1, 2017.

The KSA states that any operators found to be doing business in breach of its regulations will be “directly eligible for enforcement action”. Depending on how serious the violations are, igaming operators may face fines as high as €820,000.

Currently KSA’s policy is to issue warning letters to gambling sites deemed to be in breach of gaming regulations. Such operators are offered a chance to avoid further actions by blocking access to consumers in the country and ceasing advertising in the Dutch media.

The KSA stated that its regulatory provisions are now evident to operators offering services to Dutch customers. Therefore, warning letters will no longer be a measure to enforce the provision. The regulator deems now is the right time to introduce new and stiffer penalties for those who neglect the law.

The Netherlands is believed to be in the final stages of approving its long awaited Remote Gaming Bill. It passed the government‘s lower house in July. The next step for it is to face a Senate vote before becoming a law.

Gambling operators may be placed under scrutiny following the results of a new survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The commission has issued a warning after a new study into underage gambling showed that 450,000 children are gambling in England and Wales every week. The findings indicate that the youngsters are more likely […]

Gambling operators may be placed under scrutiny following the results of a new survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The commission has issued a warning after a new study into underage gambling showed that 450,000 children are gambling in England and Wales every week.

The findings indicate that the youngsters are more likely to gamble rather than smoke or take drugs. ‘Young People and Gambling Report’ issued by the commission also stated that approximately 9,000 children are likely to be problem gamblers.

UKGC surveyed 2,411 children aged 11-15 from 103 state secondary schools in England and Wales to carry out the study. Some 16% of kids reported spending money on some form of gambling in the past week. In comparison, 5% of youth the same age said they have smoked, 8% reported they drank alcohol in the week prior to the survey and 6% have taken drugs in the recent month.

According to the UKGC, the percentage of smoking, alcohol drinking and drug-taking among youngsters has declined, while gambling has remained relatively static.
The survey also showed that boys (21%) were almost twice as likely to gamble compared to girls (11%). Further, 3% of those taking a part in the survey were using their own money to gamble, while 6% admitted they use their parents’ accounts, with or without permission. The survey found that the most popular forms of gambling among youngsters are betting shops and fruit machines.

Tim Miller, Gambling Commission executive director, said “We’re often reminded to discuss the risks of drinking, drugs and smoking with our children; however our research shows that children are twice as likely to gamble than do any of those things.

“We want to reassure parents that our rules require gambling businesses to prevent and tackle underage gambling and we take firm action where young people are not properly protected.

“We recognise that there are some gambling activities in which young people are legally permitted to partake – such as using a crane machine to win a toy, or betting between friends. But we would encourage parents to speak to their children about the risks associated with gambling, so that if they choose to gamble in adulthood, they will do so in a safe and responsible way.”

Earlier this year Cyprus took a decision to license the first casino resort. This has been now followed by preparing to block unauthorised online gambling sites as the Republic of Cyprus is getting ready to launch its regulated sports betting market. At House finance committee’s meeting the National Betting Authority (EAS) stated that they are […]

Earlier this year Cyprus took a decision to license the first casino resort. This has been now followed by preparing to block unauthorised online gambling sites as the Republic of Cyprus is getting ready to launch its regulated sports betting market.

At House finance committee’s meeting the National Betting Authority (EAS) stated that they are in the process of blocking some 2,500 unlicensed online gambling and betting sites offering services to national consumers. The sites to be blocked are not operating in the guidelines of the 2012 government’s legislation towards online poker, online casinos and sports betting which are currently forbidden in Cyprus.

Such actions are granted by the Cypriot Finance Committee. Last month the EAS started accepting license applications from online sports betting operators. The goal now is to create fair market conditions for those that have applied for licence and clear the operators that are not taking a part in the process, but offer their services to Cypriot gamblers.

At the same meeting the committee discussed and reviewed the current agreement with Greek lottery giant OPAP, which gives this betting firm a monopoly on lottery number games in Cyprus and also costs Cyprus €1 million a month in lost tax revenues, as MPs said.

OPAP has been operating in Cyprus since 1969. In 2003 the Republic renewed an interstate agreement with Greece agreeing that OPAP will pay €10 million a year in taxes to offer lottery services to players.

The new legislation being prepared will ask for a double yearly fixed contribution with an additional 24% tax on lottery gross profits.

A Chinese suspect named only by his surname Zhou stands trial for a cross-border online gambling case involving over $60 billion. The case is reported to be the biggest ever prosecution for operating illegal gambling in the world. Just in 4 years, since online gambling site called games998.net was set up in 2012, they attracted […]

A Chinese suspect named only by his surname Zhou stands trial for a cross-border online gambling case involving over $60 billion. The case is reported to be the biggest ever prosecution for operating illegal gambling in the world.

Just in 4 years, since online gambling site called games998.net was set up in 2012, they attracted more than 2 million registered Chinese gamblers and turned over $60 billion.

Initially the site was operated out of eastern China, however the following year it was moved to Vietnam in order to avoid detection by police.

Zhou and his partners who are not named in the prosecution papers say that Chinese players exchanged real money into online credits to participate in dozens of gambling games, such as Mahjong, poker and casino games.

Prosecutors claim the website made around $75 million in profits during the period of 4 years.

However, the ringleader Zhou was arrested this year under an international arrest warrant and returned from Vietnam to China.

Eight of Zhou’s accomplices were sentenced in an earlier case, but several of those involved in the operation are still at large.

Gambling is illegal in China, except in state-sanctioned lotteries.

Online gambling is now the dominant form of gambling in the UK, according to the latest figures from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The statistics are covering the period between April 2015 and March 2016. The new data shows that online gambling accounts for 33% of all gambling in the UK, with online operators generating […]

Online gambling is now the dominant form of gambling in the UK, according to the latest figures from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

The statistics are covering the period between April 2015 and March 2016. The new data shows that online gambling accounts for 33% of all gambling in the UK, with online operators generating a gross gambling yield (GGY) of £4.5 billion within that period of time.

In those 12 months UK-licensed online gambling operators generated revenue of just under £4.5 billion. In comparison, the National Lottery collected £3.4 billion, retail betting £3.3 billion and land-based casinos £1 billion.

Regarding the total amount generated by online gambling, casino collected the top amount of £2.6 billion, of which £1.6 billion came from betting and £1.8 billion from slots.

The UKGC also reported that as of September this year, there were 8,709 betting shops in the UK, 1.8% less than on the previous year. The number of bingo premises also declined by 4.3% from March 2016 to September 2016.

James Green, programme director at the UKGC, said “Our latest statistics show that with the growth in online gambling the industry is increasingly taking a creative approach to using technology to engage consumers.

“As the online sector grows operators will also need to demonstrate that they are taking an equally innovative approach to ensuring gambling is safe for all online consumers.”

Paysafe Group, parent company of online payment processors Neteller and Skrill, have informed customers that prepaid MasterCards will soon be blocked in over 100 countries. It is believed that this change will lead to greater acceptance of Bitcoin in the gaming industry. The change in the policy does not apply to 28 countries in the […]

Paysafe Group, parent company of online payment processors Neteller and Skrill, have informed customers that prepaid MasterCards will soon be blocked in over 100 countries. It is believed that this change will lead to greater acceptance of Bitcoin in the gaming industry.

The change in the policy does not apply to 28 countries in the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA). Countries that do not belong in the European Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) will have their prepaid MasterCard service discontinued as of November 25.

Paysafe Group informed their customers about upcoming change in a recent email:
“We regret to inform you that as of November 25, 2016, we will no longer offer the Skrill Prepaid MasterCard® in your country,” the letter stated. “You will not be able to use your card but your Skrill Account remains fully functional and your balance is unaffected. You can withdraw funds from your Skrill Account to your bank account or send money to any other Skrill user or online business accepting Skrill.”

E-wallet services, provided by Neteller and Skrill, are popular among online gamblers, because they assure instant withdrawal option. Once funds are transferred from online gaming site to a prepaid MasterCard, they become available for use anywhere MasterCard is accepted.

The change, announced by Paysafe Group, is believed to have a serious affect in the industry. The list of countries that will have MasterCard service suspended, include some of the world’s biggest gambling markets (such as Australia or Brazil). Customers in Russia and China were told that they will be able to use their existing prepaid cards until their expiration date is reached, however new cards will not be issued.

Paysafe Group has not yet announced the reasons behind this decision.

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.