Regulation round-up 23 January 2018
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (16 January to 23 January 2018)
EGBA files complaint against Norway Gaming Authority’s payment blocking scheme
Association says the system breaches data and human rights laws by using personal banking information
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has filed a formal complaint against the Norwegian Gaming Authority’s payment blocking process, alleging it has breached local data laws.
The EGBA, which represents firms including bet365, Betsson and GVC, claims the NGA breached both the European Convention on Human Rights and Norwegian data protection laws by obtaining banking details of seven companies deemed to be facilitating gambling transactions and subsequently trying to block them.
The affected companies included global payment providers like Worldpay.
EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer said: “In this case we believe the NGA has made a clear breach of data protection rules which the Norwegian Data Protection Inspectorate (DPI) should investigate and take appropriate action if necessary.
Germany-facing operators: It’s business as usual despite Novomatic exit
Germany-facing operators have downplayed the regulatory risk to their businesses following Novomatic’s exit from the market last week.
The Austria-headquartered firm recently pulled its online casino games from the market without warning, leaving several firms scrambling for replacements.
The provider gave little reason for its departure but claimed there was a need for German regulators to revamp online gambling rules because the current situation was “unclear”.
The ostensible catalyst for the decision is a ruling in late October from the German Federal Administrative Court, which confirmed the legality of the general ban on online casino.
Bookmaker share prices fall on £2 FOBT stake reports
The share price of UK bookmakers has dropped significantly after reports the government favours a new £2 maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs).
Those with a heavy retail presence have been hit the hardest, with William Hill down 13% and Ladbrokes Coral down by 10% at the time of writing.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has been deliberating a new FOBT minimum stake during a 12-week consultation period which ends on Tuesday.
And fears were realised over the weekend after it was announced that the new culture secretary, Matthew Hancock, was determined to spearhead a crackdown on the high stakes machines.
Ireland to establish independent gambling regulator
The Irish government plans to establish an independent regulator to oversee the gambling industry, according to local news reports.
Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton plans to amend the country’s Gambling Control Bill which was drafted in 2013 but never approved, according to thejournal.ie.
The original version of the bill called for the industry to be regulated by a department inside the Department of Justice, but the now-proposed independent regulator would look more like the UK Gambling Commission.
The gambling industry in Ireland is largely self-regulating at present.