Regulation round-up 24 June 2014
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (18 June to 24 June 2014)
Portugal opts for open regulated market
Portugal confirmed its intent to adopt an open model for its online gambling regulation, allaying fears that domestic operator Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) would be granted an online monopoly.
Last week the Council of Ministers approved proposals to regulate online casino games, poker and sports betting and confirmed it will allow international operators to apply for a licence, however specific details relating to the process are as yet undisclosed.
It had previously been uncertain whether or not Portugal would liberalise its online gaming market, with several positions in the Portuguese Government said to be in favour of maintaining SCML’s online monopoly in a similar model to that of Greece.
GBGA gives UK Government 14-day notice of legal action
The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) has today given the UK Government and Gambling Commission 14 days in which to respond to its request that the Gambling Bill undergoes an urgent review pending legal action, eGaming Review can reveal.
The GBGA, which boasts 20-plus members, said a failure to respond in the timeframe given will leave it little option but to take the matter to the courts and claim a judicial review of the Bill.
The GBGA has long been critical of the regulatory framework, which was passed into law on 15 May and sets out to regulate and license the online gambling industry on a point of consumption basis.
Seven days in regulation:
Major operators oppose GBGA Gambling Bill change
William Hill and Ladbrokes are among a number of high-profile operators not supporting the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association’s (GBGA) attempts to force the UK Government and Gambling Commission to urgently review its new Gambling Bill.
The GBGA, which boasts 20-plus members, gave the UK Government 14 days in which to respond to its request that the Gambling Bill undergoes an urgent review pending legal action earlier this week, as reported in eGaming Review.
However William Hill said in a statement it had “chosen not to challenge the Government’s decision to impose dual regulation on the online gambling industry.”
Dutch regulator plans to shut down unregulated sites
Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) chairman Jan Suyver has warned illegal operators targeting the Dutch market that the body will begin to close down sites to protect its regulated market.
Suyver used the Kansspelautoriteit’s annual report for 2013 to outline several new powers and processes it is ready to implement before the market regulates early next year.
“If you want to be fast in protecting consumers from a specific illegal provide, you need solid legal remedies to be able to do so,” Suyver said. “This is particularly the case with online gambling where the regulator’s swift action is crucial.”