Regulation round-up 3 November 2015
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (28 October to 3 November 2015)
Bet365 blasts Romanian regulator over licence cancellation
Operator questions gambling regulator’s motivation after launching legal proceedings
Bet365 has raised concerns over the behaviour of the Romanian gambling regulator and launched legal proceedings against the organisation in a bid to overturn the decision to cancel its licence to operate in the country.
The operator said it was “extremely concerned” by the recent actions of the Romanian National Office for Gambling (ONJN) which has left it without a licence and more than £20m out of pocket having paid back taxes as part of the licensing process.
Bet365 also questioned whether the ONJN, which has imposed financial penalties on its customers, has an ulterior motive in removing it from the market to the “clear benefit of certain competitors”.
A legal challenge was initiated against the regulator at the end of last week and bet365 said it is confident it would succeed in “showing that the ONJN’s actions were legally unjustifiable” when a decision is expected to be made next month.
William Hill Australia wins key in-play legal battle
William Hill Australia has won a key battle in the dispute over its controversial in-play betting product after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed it would not be investigating complaints concerning its legality.
The operator received formal confirmation from the country’s federal police agency last week that the AFP had decided not to launch an investigation into issues raised by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA).
Chief executive of William Hill Australia, Tom Waterhouse, welcomed the news and said the AFP’s decision was a major victory for the industry in its fight against illegal offshore wagering.
Seven days in regulation:
Italian regulator brings forward sportsbook changes
Italy-facing sportsbooks have been given a boost after the country’s regulator AAMS effectively brought forward the planned scrapping of its official bet program in a move which hands operators greater control and flexibility over its product.
For the past two years Italy has operated two bet programs, an official list containing core markets managed and settled by the regulator, and a complementary list for customised bet types which are handled by the operators themselves.
The official list has been judged to be too restrictive with some operators having complained about the length of time it could take some markets, such as match results for lower league football games, to be checked and settled by the regulator, hampering its ability to pay out customers promptly.
Racing must ‘get real’ on levy demands, say bookies
British horseracing “must face-up to reality” and back down on demands for a “substantial” increase in levy payments, according to Bookmakers’ Committee chairman Mike O’Kane.
O’Kane’s warning comes after negotiations for the 55th levy scheme, which is due to commence on 1 April, broke down at the weekend with the matter now referred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for determination.
Racing wants operators to make an additional contribution to reflect the size of their offshore digital businesses – at present operators are only required to pay a 10.75% levy on profits derived from UK-based operations.
William Hill to make voice heard in Germany debate
William Hill has become the latest operator to join the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) as the operator looks to play a leading role in the debate surrounding the country’s much maligned licensing process.
A spokesperson for William Hill told eGaming Review the firm was hopeful Germany’s regulatory situation would become clearer in the coming months and that if it does the country would become “a market of interest”.
And in a statement explaining Hills’ DSWV membership, the operator’s director of group legal services Michael Leadbeater said the firm was keen to introduce its expertise into the debate on how Germany’s sports betting market should be regulated.
Bet365, Coral and Totesport tweets reprimanded by the ASA
Bet365, Coral and Totesport have all been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over “irresponsible” social media posts made by the bookies featuring pro golfer Jordan Spieth.
The advertising watchdog said the tweets, which all featured images of Spieth, were irresponsible because the pro golfer was under the age of 25 and therefore breached its advertising code.
Bet365’s tweet featured a photo of Spieth holding a trophy alongside his family and stated: “Fill in the blank: I think Jordan Spieth will win __ Majors in 2015”.
Lotteriinspektionen boss to head Swedish re-regulation inquiry
The director general of Sweden’s gambling regulator, Håkan Hallstedt, is to head the committee overseeing the country’s inquiry into a re-regulation of the sector.
Sweden’s minister for public administration Ardalan Shekarabi said Hallstedt’s “knowledge and integrity” would be of benefit as the country looks to reform its gaming laws.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary of the Association of Online Gambling Operators (BOS), welcomed the appointment, praising Hallstedt’s experience in the sector.
French Q3 online gambling revenues stagnate
The French online gambling market flatlined for a second consecutive quarter in Q3 as a modest 3% year-on-year growth in sports betting helped level out a fall in online poker revenues.
According to figures released by l’Autorité de regulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL), gross gaming revenues (GGR) fell by 0.3% to 176.1m for the three months ended 30 September 2015.
The country’s online sports betting market was the standout vertical during the three-month period with revenues up 3% year-on-year to 62m as the number of weekly active players increased 5% to 165,000.