Regulation round-up 18 February 2014
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (12 February to 18 February 2014)
Apple permits UK in-app gambling ads
Bwin.party first to take advantage of relaxation of technology company’s gambling ad ban
Apple is accepting in-app gambling advertisements for the first time in the UK following a relaxation of its stance on real-money gambling ads.
The technology firm had previously banned gambling companies from advertising through its iAd mobile advertising platform, but this policy will be relaxed throughout 2014.
In-app advertising is a potentially huge new audience for egaming operators and Bwin.party has been one of the first companies to take advantage of the relaxed policy and started to advertise on the platform last weekend.
A bwin.party spokesperson confirmed the launch as part of a test campaign that will be reviewed before the company commits to the platform long-term.
“Historic day” as Dutch egaming bill passes Council of Ministers
The Dutch gambling bill that is set to regulate the country’s online gaming market successfully passed the Council of Ministers last week, meaning that it will most likely be presented to the Lower House (“Tweede Kamer”) before this summer.
The primary legislation will now be passed to the Council of State where it will undergo a technical review lasting two or three months before being passed into law ahead of next year’s planned opening of the market.
Justin Franssen, an attorney at Dutch legal firm Kalff Katz & Franssen, labelled the event as an “historic day” but said that the target date of market opening of 1 January 2015 is unlikely to be met, considering mid-2015 to be a more realistic date.
Seven days in regulation:
Spanish online slots regulation revealed
Operators wishing to offer online slots in Spain may be required to inform customers of the time and money spent at the end of each session of play as part of a range of strict player protection measures, eGaming Review can reveal.
The measures are detailed in a draft ministerial order, seen by eGR, which the country’s regulator, Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), is due to put before the General Council for Gaming Policies (GCGP) at a meeting on Wednesday (19 February).
The draft will then be placed under public consultation for around 15 days before a final ministerial order is published ahead of a go-live date roughly six months thereafter to allow operators to prepare and go to market simultaneously.
Pechanga-led group enters Cali online poker fray
A coalition of powerful Californian tribes led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians is poised to introduce new online poker legislation, as part of what appears to be the most protectionist set of proposals seen to date, eGaming Review can reveal.
The new bill is backed by eight influential tribes, including the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Temecula Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, and the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
Under the proposals the number of licences the state can issue is unlimited, tax rates would be quarterly fees amounting to 5% of an operator’s gross gaming revenue, while one-off licence fees would be set at US$5m.
Scotland blasts UK’s problem gambling efforts
An independent Scotland has pledged to introduce “more effective regulation” on the gambling industry after the Scottish government took a swipe at the UK’s efforts to solve problem gambling.
Although detailed measures have yet to be announced, the Scottish government plans to increase regulation on both online and offline betting variants.
Should Scotland vote for independence in September’s referendum, responsibility for the regulation of gambling in Scotland will be transferred to the Scottish government under the guise of a newly appointed regulator.
NJ Senator calls egaming revenues ‘dismal’ despite 28% increase
Regulated online gambling generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of US$9.5m in New Jersey in January, up 28% on the previous month according to figures released by the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)
But despite showing signs of improvement the figures have been called “dismal” by New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesnaik, who says they are a long way off estimates from the likes of Governor Christie who predicted the New Jersey egaming market to be worth $1.1bn within seven months of launch.
“Compared to Governor Christie’s unrealistic projection, the numbers are dismal,” Lesniak told eGaming Review.
Opinion: Gambling advertising in Italy is here to stay
“Can we afford to lose 71m a year in revenues?” This is the likely thought of major Italian TV companies after having read about the Senate approving an amendment of the so called “delega fiscale law” and in turn providing the potential for a gambling advertising ban during TV and radio programs.
The bill, which still needs to be approached by the second chamber of the Parliament, refers to “an introduction of an advertising ban during radio and TV programs in compliance of the principles prescribed by European authorities on the protection of minors with reference to games with cash winnings that can induce to compulsive behaviors“.
Nevada judge dismisses claims against Ifrah Law
A federal judge in Nevada has dismissed a lawsuit filed by convicted Black Friday online poker payment processor Chad Elie against law firm Ifrah Law.
Last April Elie filed the suit against his former legal counsel from his jail cell, claiming Ifrah Law had withheld information that would have revealed processing payments from internet gambling was illegal.
However the Nevada court found all eight claims against Ifrah Law to be without merit.