Regulation round-up 8 January 2013
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (2 January to 8 January 2013).
Swedish government makes gambling legislation pledge
Prime minister announces support for Riksrevisionen report – proposed regulatory framework could be announced by May 2013.
The Swedish government has taken a step towards introducing new gambling legislation, pledging to publish a proposed regulatory framework by the end of May this year.
In a statement signed by the prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt as well as Peter Norman, minister for financial markets with responsibility for gambling issues, the government has stated that it will act on the findings of a report published by the Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen) in June 2012.
The statement explains that following an assessment of the report, the government has concluded that there is a need for “some legislative changes,” and says that it will “return to Parliament with a proposal in order to establish a well-functioning regulatory framework.” It concedes that under the current system, the “widespread and growing” illegal gambling market is far more attractive to players, as it can offer products and payout rates which licensed operators are unable to offer.
Dot.es slots “on agenda” for 2013
Spanish egaming regulator Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has confirmed that consultations have begun with licensed operators with a view to regulating online slots in 2013.
It is also consulting with the country’s government on the matter, as well as consumer groups, while continuing to consider broadening the range of events on which Spanish citizens are permitted to bet.
Spain enacted its egaming regulations in June last year, with 53 operators – both local and foreign – securing licences to operate sports betting, poker, casino and/or bingo in the dot.es market.
According to figures released by the DGOJ and seen by eGaming Review the market has generated 2.35bn in turnover and just under 88m in gross gaming revenue, with sports betting contributing close to half of the latter total.
Denmark awards licence extensions
The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has announced that a total of 25 operators have had one-year licences extended to allow the companies to offer their services in the market for five years.
Of the 25 licensees, 20 are foreign egaming operators, while 5 are Danish businesses, and 9 local brands have been handed income-restricted approval. This means that companies with gross gaming revenue of less than 1m Danish Kroner (DKK) do not have to pay the full licence fee.
When the market officially opened in December 2011, 38 companies were awarded operating licences, while seven local businesses were given income-restricted approval. It is not clear which companies have withdrawn from the market, with 32 full licensees and 8 income-restricted still listed on the official DGA site.
Seven days in regulation:
Italian egaming spend doubles due to new products
The Italian egaming industry has seen player spend on online poker and casino more than double year-on-year for the 10 months to October, following the rollout of new products in the summer of 2011.
A number of operators went live with cash poker and/or casino offerings in July 2011 and, as a consequence, amounts staked on these products rose 174.3% year-on-year to 10.56bn, compared to the 3.85bn staked in the period from July-October 2011, according to the country’s regulator AAMS.
AAMS, now part of the Italian Customs Authority, also published September’s figures, which showed a year-on-year increase of 256%, with the nine-month period showing greater growth due to the higher proportion of comparative months in which casino and cash poker were unavailable.
Opinion: The Social Regulation Debate
Stuart Tilly, executive director of the Social Gaming Association, discusses why the body was set up in 2012 and how he views the future of social gaming.
Opinion: Social gaming – There are more questions than answers
Social gaming has seen a growing number of real money players invest in its potential, but there is no definitive answer to success says Simon Murphy, head of gambling EMEA at FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Lottomatica companies on Nevada agenda
Five brands under the Lottomatica Group umbrella are next in line to make their case for online poker licensure in Nevada, after the state’s Gaming Control Board published its latest agenda.
Next Wednesday and Thursday’s meeting will see the GCB hear service provider, manufacturer and distributor applications from Boss Media – which runs the International Poker Network – as well as gaming machines manufacturer Spielo International’s US, Canada, Austria and Gibraltar businesses.
NetEnt to appeal Swedish tax ruling
Swedish-listed software provider Net Entertainment has announced plans to appeal what it deems an “unfounded” decision from the Swedish Tax Agency to impose on it a tax bill of SEK92.1m (£8.7m).
The company’s chief executive Per Eriksson had earlier argued that it had “done nothing wrong” with regards to the back-tax bill, which relates to activities from 2007-2010 and is higher than the initially quoted SEK88m(£8.3m) due to what NetEnt describes as “An error in the previous audit memorandum from the Swedish Tax Agency and imposed interest.”
Bill banning online poker introduced in Texas
A bill which would permit poker to be played in eligible brick and mortar properties but ban it from being played online has been introduced in the Texas state legislature.
The new legislation, entitled the Texas Poker Gaming Act of 2013 and sponsored by Senator Eddie Rodriguez, would see the state’s racetracks, bingo halls and reservations eligible for poker licences, while also banning electronic poker tables.