Regulation round-up 21 April
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (15 April - 21 April 2015)
Ireland PoC tax start date scheduled for 1 August
Ireland’s government last week opened the licensing process for its new Point of Consumption regime with the aim of having operators taxed on transactions with customers based inside the country by the start of August.
Following the passing of the Gambling (Amendment) Act 2015, finance minister Michael Noonan said the levy, which will see operators pay 1% on turnover, or for exchange bets 15% of commission charges, will come into force on 1 August.
And those wishing to continue or set-up business in Ireland must apply for a certificate of ‘personal fitness’ from the Irish police force, as well as a remote bookmaking licence or intermediary licence from The Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
IGT hires Italian regulator Rodano as senior director
IGT has appointed Italian regulator Francesco Rodano as a senior director of market strategies and development for its new London headquartered international team.
According to eGR sources, Rodano, who is currently head of remote gaming at Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (AAMS), will relocate to London from Rome upon completion of his notice period with the regulator.
Rodano, who joined AAMS in June 2007, has been appointed to focus on commercial interactive strategic market development within the newly-merged business’ International division, following a deal which saw GTECH acquire IGT for $6.4bn (£4.3bn).
Danske Spil on path to £385m part-privatisation
Denmark’s former gambling monopoly Danske Spil could be partly-privatised as part of a £385m sell-off as early as this year, eGaming Review has learned.
A consensus has emerged among political parties, ahead of a general election which must take place before 15 September, that it is not the government’s place to run an online gambling business and therefore should dispose of its assets.
Venstre, Denmark’s centre-right liberal party which currently leads the polling, has said it will sell off Danske Spil’s online betting and casino arm, but the lottery will remain state-owned.
German licensing woes continue as advisory board resigns
An advisory board made up of major German sports organisations has resigned as an advisor to the country’s sports betting licensing procedure after it said comments and views were being ignored by gambling regulators.
The German Sports Advisory Board (SAB), which was set up to provide advice to the German Gambling Committee, has repeatedly delivered warnings on what has now become a long and drawn-out licensing process.
In 2013 it recommended repealing the limitation of 20 licences under the German Interstate Treaty, a recommendation which was later ignored and the SAB recently criticised what it viewed as “obvious shortcomings of the licensing process” which “make nonsense” of the agreed regulated framework.
Romania online gambling bill continues progress
A regulated Romanian online gaming framework is inching closer as the country’s remote gaming bill continues its passage through parliament.
The bill was last week passed to the country’s second chamber – the Chamber of Deputies – which will put it under debate in the Chamber of Deputies Finance and Budget commission ahead of a vote.
Should the bill be passed into law, which is expected to take place by early May, all required provisions will have been met in order to enable authorities to begin the licensing and authorisation process of online operators.