Regulation round-up 13 August 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (7 August to 13 August 2013)
RGA in “final push” over Greek monopoly challenge
Egaming lobbying group announces lawsuit against decision to grant OPAP a sole operating licence
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has announced it is to sue the Greek government over plans to extend OPAP’s land-based monopoly to online gaming products.
Speaking with eGaming Review yesterday, RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood said placing an injunction on the imminent privatisation of OPAP was one of the final options at the trade body’s disposal.
The RGA believes the government’s sale of its 33% stake in OPAP was approved without the European Commission ruling whether giving its new owners the exclusive right to online gambling was compatible with EU law.
The lawsuit, which was submitted on 9 August, will see the Court of Auditors review the decision in the next couple of weeks and Hawkswood said he’s confident the court will see “that there’s nothing in law” to back the decision and it will see that “OPAP doesn’t have a monopoly”.
Australia Opposition leader proposes gambling overhaul
Online egaming operators will be blocked from providing credit to Australian consumers under plans unveiled by the country’s Opposition leader Tony Abbott.
The Coalition would also axe the country’s Labor-backed national gambling regulator, claiming that its role is already being fulfilled by Australian states.
Abbot has pledged to make it illegal for online gambling companies to offer customers a credit facility if his Liberal/National Coalition party is successful in September’s election.
Seven days in regulation:
New head of Bulgarian gambling body appointed
Ognemir Mitev has been named chair of Bulgaria’s State Commission for Gambling, just weeks after the regulatory body drew up a blacklist of unlicensed operators.
Bulgaria’s minister of finance Petar Chobanov announced the appointment yesterday which will see Mitev replace Ivan Enicherov as head of the Commission. Enicherov held the position since April after replacing Kaloyan Krastev who led the regulator for three years.
Paddy Power in for New Jersey licence
Irish operator prepares for late 2013 market opening despite no casino partner announced
Paddy Power has filed an application to offer online gambling in New Jersey despite not yet confirming whether it has entered into a necessary partnership with a casino in the state.
The Irish operator has been actively pursuing a deal in the state given regulations dictate that only existing casino licensees can operate online gambling there.
US appeals court overturns DiCristina poker ruling
A US federal court has overturned the US v Lawrence DiCristina ruling from August last year that determined poker should not be considered gambling under state law.
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in New York reversed the decision, made by Judge Jack Weinstein, which determined the US Illegal Gambling Business Act (IGBA) to be ambiguous regarding its application to poker.
French politicians propose ARJEL and anti-doping agency merger
French online gambling regulator ARJEL could be merged with anti-doping agency AFLD after a new bill was put forward by lawmakers to the French National Assembly in an effort to reduce public spending.
The bill outlines the possible introduction of a single authority responsible for “the integrity of sport and online games” and after a reading in the National Assembly it has been referred back to the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Education for revision.