Regulation round-up 4 October 2016
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (28 September to 4 October 2016)
Phill Brear to step down as Gibraltar regulatory head
Brear to remain in an advisory Gambling Commissioner role but pass on head of regulation responsibilities
Phill Brear will leave his post as Gibraltar’s head of gambling regulation next year, EGR has learned, with the Gibraltar Government kicking-starting the search for a new regulatory chief.
EGR understands Brear will see out the remainder of his current contract, which comes to an end in late 2017, during which time he will perform an extensive handover to his long-term successor.
Brear is expected, however, to remain as Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner â in a new non-executive strategic advisory role.
The Gibraltar Government recently kicked-off a process to find Brear’s replacement and is accepting applications for the newly titled director of licensing and regulation role.
Operators must put consumers “at heart of business”, says GB regulatory chief
Great Britain’s regulatory chief says operators must do “much more” to protect the interests of consumers and is calling on the public to help shape the future of gambling regulation in the country.
The Gambling Commission this week launched a new âtwo-way conversation’ strategy aimed at listening and responding to public concerns, which its chief executive Sarah Harrison (pictured) said would be used to inform the regulator’s decision making processes.
“We want gambling companies to do much more to put consumers at the heart of the businesses â we’re doing this via the regulations that we set and the way in which we go about enforcing them,” Harrison said in a blog post.
“But we know we also have to do more ourselves to tap into consumer concerns, understand consumer interests and communicate better with consumers â that’s consumers who enjoy gambling, as well as those for whom it may become a real problem.”
Seven days in regulation:
NetBet TV ad banned for “glamorising” gambling
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two NetBet adverts for “glamorising” gambling and promoting a “misleading” money back offer, the advertising watchdog announced last week.
A NetBet TV ad showed a number of people undertaking everyday activities while playing the operator’s mobile app, with scenes following those same characters holding cash, several bags of shopping, driving a convertible and walking towards a helicopter and yacht.
The ASA deemed a number of scenes had depicted financial security as the result of gambling success, by implying the characters now had sufficient funds available to undertake the luxury experiences shown in the ad.
The watchdog warned future advertising campaigns must not glamorise gambling by suggesting it could enhance personal qualities and living standards, particularly by offering financial security.
Poll results: Poland’s 12% betting turnover tax unworkable
Poland’s decision to stick with a 12% tax on sports betting turnover is anti-competitive and risks excluding foreign operators from the regulated market, according to a majority of respondents to EGR’s latest poll.
More than 85% of voters agreed the levy on turnover rather than revenues â as is more common â was “unworkable”, echoing the opinion issued by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) last week.
RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood said the fact other countries had moved from a turnover to a revenue-based tax system was proof the turnover model has a dampening impact on markets â Italy being the most recent example.
“[The turnover tax] will continue to stifle competition, value and choice for consumers,” Hawkswood added.