Regulation round-up 17 March 2015
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (11 March - 17 March 2015)
Poland draft not yet approved, says EC
European Commission says reports suggesting it has given Poland’s draft bill the green light are premature
The European Commission (EC) said it was still analysing planned amendments to Poland’s Gambling Act and has yet to approve the new draft law, despite a number of reports to the contrary.
Speaking to eGaming Review, a spokesperson for the EC said it had recently notified Poland of a range of concerns it had regarding the draft Act’s compatibility with EU law and was currently studying Poland’s responses.
The amendments seek to remove the condition which requires foreign operators to set up a full company in Poland before being able to obtain an operating licence.
Polish authorities hope the removal of this requirement will go some way to stimulate a market overshadowed by a significant unlicensed presence, which is estimated to control around 90% of the total market.
However some believe the amendments do not go far enough and that the regulated market, which currently consists of just four licensed players – Fortuna Entertainment, Millenium, STS and Totolotek – is unlikely to grow as a consequence.
South Africa gets tough on online gambling
The South African government has held discussions with financial institutions as it looks to introduce payment processing blocking and crackdown on online gambling.
The country’s Minister for Trade and Industry Rob Davies affirmed that online gambling is currently illegal in South Africa and in a statement this week said operators in breach of the rules would be subject to the “might of the law”.
“Anyone operating illegally under the presumption that eventually they will be legalised ought to understand that they will not get a licence for this,” Davies said.
“South Africans participating on online gambling have no defence or recourse if they get ripped-off.”
Davies’ statement comes after a bill aimed at regulating South Africa’s remote gambling market was tabled in the country’s parliament last month by Geordin Hill-Lewis of the country’s opposition Democratic Alliance party.
Dutch egaming on track despite loss of political figurehead
The Netherland’s protracted journey towards egaming regulation is not expected to face further delays despite the recent resignation of State Secretary for Security and Justice Fred Teeven, a driving force behind the policy changes.
It was Teeven’s plans for overhauling the Netherland’s existing gambling market which were accepted by the government last year, and fears have grown that the loss of this political figurehead could push back the opening of the market.
Teeven stepped down from his role last week after his part in a drug trafficking scandal came to light. The Liberal Party member is suspected of misleading parliament over the value of a 2001 compensation payment he is said to have authorised to a convicted drug trafficker.
PokerStars accused of tax evasion by Italian authorities
PokerStars has strenuously denied any wrongdoing after Italy’s financial police accused the operator of committing fraud and tax evasion over a six year period.
In a statement, Italy’s Guardia di Finanza alleged PokerStars had used fellow Rational Group subsidiary Halfords Media Italy to hide away undeclared revenues worth over 300m.
However, PokerStars’ head of corporate communications Eric Hollreiser has strongly refuted the allegations and said the firm had been working with authorities to help resolve the issue.
US egaming ban bill rescheduled for 26 March
A bill which seeks to ban most forms of internet gaming in the US at a federal level has been scheduled for a hearing on 26 March.
The hearing is thought to be taking place in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Bill HR 707, which has been introduced by Congressman Jason Chaffetz and has the backing of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, was originally set to be discussed on 5 March.
But bad weather in Washington meant the hearing was postponed, with the Poker Players Alliance confirming the new date in a post on Twitter.