Regulatory Newsletter (7-27 June)

Exclusive for Gambling.Re

• Expert gambling lawyer Jaime Varela shares insights on Peru's decision to remove player anonymity in online gambling, emphasizing the importance of balancing security and privacy concerns

• The UK Government's White Paper review reaffirms licensee operators' responsibility for affiliate marketing activities, while gaming lawyer Richard Williams supports the government's position

• Karolina Ullman of NJORD Law Firm shares insights on Estonia's gambling industry, discussing potential ad bans, tax increases, and the importance of compliance and responsible gambling practices

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Europe

• The UK Gambling Commission has unveiled a new website hub to guide gambling operators in their engagements with third parties

• The UK Gambling Commission's assessment of the 2021 reforms to slot products reveals that they have successfully reduced play intensity without negatively affecting player experience

• UK gambling minister Stuart Andrew has offered reassurance on gambling reforms and praised a charity initiative in the gambling industry

• Videoslots has been ordered to pay £2.0m by the UK Gambling Commission for a range of regulatory breaches

• The Gambling Related Harm All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has initiated an inquiry to assess the proposed measures in the British government's Gambling Act white paper

• NHS England and GambleAware have united in their endorsement of the statutory levy on gambling operators, viewing it as a means to bolster funding for crucial research and education

• UK's CMS select committee seeks feedback on the government's gambling regulation white paper through a call for evidence

• UK’s upcoming Bacta Convention will gather influential stakeholders, including politicians and regulatory authorities

• The Guardian has stopped accepting gambling advertising, prioritizing reader interests

• Stake.com is in discussions with Chelsea FC to become the top-division side's new shirt sponsor, challenging the league-wide ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsors

• Aston Villa signs a sponsorship deal with online gambling operator BK8 as the team's front-of-shirt sponsor, defying the Premier League's decision to end such sponsorships

• Research suggests that Ireland may have more problem gamblers than previously thought

• Malta's parliament has approved Bill 55, providing protection to offshore operators based in Malta by refusing to recognize or enforce foreign judgments against them

• The Italian gambling sector is undergoing significant changes as the government proceeds with a comprehensive reorganization

• France and Belgium gambling regulators forge cooperation agreement

• The annual report by the gambling ombudsman in France reveals a decrease in mediation requests, particularly in the sports betting category

• The French government proposes new requirements for responsible gambling messages in online gambling ads, including a mandatory warning message and information about support services

• Dutch regulator provides limited guidance on implementation of gambling ad ban

• Dutch regulator takes action against companies for operating without license

• Dutch Minister proposes talks with gaming operators for compliance with upcoming gambling ad ban

• The Finnish government is determined to transition from the existing gambling monopoly to a licensing model, aiming to prevent financial and social harm

• A Finnish court has imposed penalties on social media influencer Lauri Kangas for promoting unlicensed gambling activities

• A BOS report reveals that Sweden's regulated gambling market is facing a critical situation with a channelisation rate of only 77%, raising concerns over consumer protection and tax contributions

• Sweden considers increasing penalty fees for money laundering breaches in gambling

• Spelinspektionen has introduced a fixed fee for gaming software suppliers in Sweden, requiring separate payments for each licence held

• Svenska Spel reports further declines in risky gambling behavior among players in Sweden during April and May

• The Danish National Tax Court exempts gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden from enhanced confidentiality rules

• Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus has received six orders from Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden for several breaches

• Danske Licens Spil A/S has faced two charges from Spillemyndigheden for not providing adequate anti-money laundering checks on a player's activities

• The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) disputes the accuracy of the turnover figures presented by DHS, highlighting the use of unreliable sources and calling for a correction

• The DSWV has responded to media claims suggesting that the increase in self-excluded players since 2020 reflects a rise in problem gambling in Germany

• Research highlights underestimated problem gambling in Ireland, calls for further study

• The Czech Government's proposal to increase gambling tax rates raises concerns about negative consequences warns the Czech Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR)

• Top Sport has received a €15,000 fine from the Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority for allowing an individual to top up other players' accounts

• Parimatch, the banned operator in Ukraine, has submitted a petition to President Zelenskyy, urging him to reconsider the sanctions imposed on the company

• The Cyprus National Betting Authority's president, Ioanna Fiakkou, is currently the subject of a criminal inquiry after declining to respond to inquiries from MPs

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North America

• Governor Phil Scott of Vermont has signed House Bill 127, legalizing sports betting in the state in the effort of bringing the activity into the regulated market

• The Rhode Island House has approved a bill to legalize online casino gambling in the state

• With the expiration of New Jersey's online casino gambling license looming, lawmakers are swiftly pushing for its renewal to sustain the revenue flow and attract visitors to Atlantic City's casinos

• New Jersey Senator proposes stricter regulations for sports betting ads, while the consideration of a complete smoking ban in state casinos remains uncertain

• The Colorado Limited Gaming Commission (CLGC) has chosen to postpone the adoption of proposed rules for sports betting exchanges

• The Maryland State Board of Elections fines the Sports Betting Alliance $48,000, its largest fine ever, for failing to comply with disclosure requirements during the 2020 election

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South America

• The Ministry of Finance in Chile has released a guidance document outlining proposed technical measures for the regulation of online gambling in the country

• Curaçao introduces stricter standards for online gambling operators, aiming to enhance anti-money laundering measures and player protection

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Australia

• The Victoria state government in Australia is exploring the possibility of a non-exclusive wagering license

• Crown Resorts, the operator of Crown Melbourne casino in Victoria, has been fined AU$20.0m for breaching tax rules and concealing tax deductions from regulators

• Crown Resorts to pay AU$1.2 million in back wages to employees after wage error, as part of an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman

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Other

• Macau's junket industry struggles due to the new law's impact on income, while facing competition from neighboring regions

• Sri Lanka's Cabinet approves the drafting of a bill to establish the Gambling Regularization Authority, aiming to regulate gambling establishments