Regulation round-up 27 May 2014
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (21 May to 27 May 2014)
UK regulator plots universal self-exclusion scheme
Commission collaborating with trade bodies on practice applicable to all GC remote licensees
The UK Gambling Commission is working on a universal self-exclusion scheme that would likely apply to all of its remote gambling licensees, eGaming Review can reveal.
Should it come into force, individuals would be allowed to apply to be self-excluded and have that exclusion recognised by all operators licensed by the Commission, effectively prohibiting them from being able to bet online legally.
“We are currently working with the Remote Gambling Association and others to establish how a national remote self-exclusion system might work in practice,” a Gambling Commission spokesperson told eGR last week.
The policy was originally discussed during the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill’s Report stage in the House of Lords, when the government confirmed that the Commission was reviewing existing self-exclusion methods.
Ladbrokes bullish over advertising complaints
Ladbrokes has defended its new Ladbrokes Life marketing campaign after its outdoor adverts have attracted a number of complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Complainants claimed the bookmaker’s new outdoor campaign was irresponsible and harmful and glamorised gambling, according to a report in CampaignLive.
But the operator hit back saying the reaction to its ads has been “overwhelmingly positive” and the tone was in marked contrast to other “aggressive” campaigns from its competitors.
Seven days in regulation:
California tribes reach consensus on internet poker
A group of California’s most influential Tribes have reached a consensus on draft internet poker legislation, in a major boost for the hopes of egaming legislation in the state.
The coalitions led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians ironed out a number of differences at a recent meeting in San Diego.
The number of branded sites a licensee could offer has been a major sticking point between the two coalitions, with Pechanga calling for just one and San Manuel for an unlimited number. However after the meeting the two coalitions agreed to set the number at two.
OPAP sets 2 June sportsbook launch date
Greek gambling monopoly OPAP has set a target of 2 June to launch its first online sports betting product and has told eGaming Review it will dismiss any challenge over the legality of doing so.
OPAP chief exec Kamil Ziegler informed shareholders at last week’s AGM that the operator hoped to be live with an online sportsbook in time for next month’s football World Cup, and speaking to eGR a company spokesperson confirmed its aim to launch on 2 June.
With the football World Cup kicking off on 12 June the date has served as an internal target in order to have operations in place with time to spare.
Bodugi enters voluntary liquidation
Egaming software provider and social sports betting operator Bodugi has gone into voluntary liquidation, eGaming Review has learned.
The decision follows recent creditor and shareholder meetings to consider a special resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company, which was passed at a general meeting last month.
Following the meetings, Robert Cundy of insolvency practitioner RJC Financial Management was appointed liquidator of Bodugi.
China to issue World Cup sports lottery licences
Chinese sports-lottery operators received a boost last week after the regulatory authorities announced plans to issue licences for operators to launch FIFA World Cup products with sports data firm BETEGY one of the first European firms to cash in through a deal with SunLoto.
The news sent shares in online lottery operators Vodone and China LotSynergy up 21% and 13.3% respectively with strong growth predicted for the Chinese sports lottery market that was worth $21.9bn in 2013.
Sports data firm BETEGY has become one of the first European firms to enter the market through a three-year deal with Chinese Welfare and Sports Lottery provider SunLoto to supply its betting predication software in time for the World Cup launch.