Regulation round-up 21 March 2017
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (15 March to 21 March 2017)
Colombian regulator to block 300 gaming sites
Ladbrokes, PokerStars and Unibet among sites to be blocked by the country’s gambling regulator
Colombia has moved to block more than 300 egaming sites including Ladbrokes, 888 and PokerStars in an effort to enforce its licensing regime.
The country’s gambling regulator Coljuegos said it had asked the country’s Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications to enforce a ban, with the government expected to comply.
Coljuegos said the country is losing £100m in annual tax revenues thanks to unlicensed operators.
“This [IP blocking] will allow us to obtain more resources for health and to ensure that Colombians who use these pages are assured that they will not be ripped off and that operators will pay their taxes,” said Juan Pérez, president of Coljuegos.
Sportsbook, bingo and poker exempted from incoming EU AML Directive
Large parts of the UK gambling industry could be exempt from the EU’s 4th Money Laundering Directive (4MLD), under a ruling published by the UK Government last week.
The Government deemed the gambling sector – except for remote and non-remote casinos – to be low risk relative to other regulated sectors and therefore not subject to 4MLD.
Casino operators will still need to comply with the directive which is expected to come into force in EU member states in June 2017.
Seven days in regulation:
German states sign amended State Treaty on gambling
The leaders of the 16 German states signed the amended State Treaty on gambling, removing the cap on sportsbook licences and giving authorities more power to clampdown on unlicensed operators.
The amended treaty also calls for a closer examination into whether online casino should be legalised, and would start the sportsbook licensing process in 2018.
“This amendment to the current state treaty restricts the regulation of the sports betting market and creates clarity for suppliers and third parties involved,” said Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister, Reiner Haseloff.
Spanish regulator to push for new licensing window
Spain’s gambling regulator is considering calling on government to re-open its licensing window amid growing demand from operators to enter the expanding market, EGR Intel has learned.
Speaking exclusively to EGR Intel, the recently installed director general of Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), Juan Espinosa Garcia, said the market could soon re-open its licensing process for the first time since 2015.
“Regulatory-wise we are constrained by the closed timeframe to apply for a general licence, pending the relevant call for the Minister of Finance,” Garcia told EGR Intel, when asked to comment on the growth of the market.
Australian government plots crackdown on gambling TV ads
The Australian federal government is planning to launch a major crackdown on gambling adverts aired during TV sporting events, according to Australian press reports.
Fairfax Media reported last week that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government could cut the number of gambling adverts permitted to secure the backing of Senator Nick Xenophon for other legislation.
The government is currently pushing a bill through Parliament for the deregulation of media ownership laws and Xenophen’s vote is seen as being crucial for the bill to pass.
Queensland becomes third state to introduce minimum bet limits
Queensland has joined Victoria and New South Wales to become the third Australian state to introduce a minimum bet limit framework for thoroughbred racing.
The new framework will include a minimum bet liability policy of AU$2,000 for metropolitan thoroughbred meetings and $1,000 for non-metropolitan meetings, and will apply from 9am on raceday.
It comes after Racing Queensland, which will be responsible for implementing the framework, voted in favour last month to approve the introduction of minimum bet amounts in the state.