Euroslot-APR09-PG24-25:Layout 1 24/03/2009 11:00 Page 24
LEGISLATION www.euroslot-online.com
Gaming legislation is constantly changing.
Every month Euroslot rounds-up the new laws
and amendments affecting the industry.
ANTIGUA BELGIUM
Antigua’s UK white-list status has been called into doubt by a The European Commission’s DG Enterprise received
British MP who pointed out that the island’s gambling notification of Belgian draft amendments to the 1999 Act on
regulatory regime was run under the same umbrella as the financial services games of chance, gaming establishments and player protection, concerning
authorities which had failed to spot the Allen Stanford fraud. Source: automatic gaming machines. The amendments seek to authorise the
gamblingcompliance.com organisation of interactive games of poker in class I gaming establishments
and the definition of their operating rules. Source: Euromat
BERMUDA
The Bermudan Government was last month forced to defer a CYPRUS
Bill to permit gambling on cruise ships in dock after vocal Turkish-administered Cyprus has passed legislation to subject
objections from Opposition MPs and its own Party members. Premier Ewart the territory’s casinos to enhanced anti-money laundering
Brown allowed a vote of conscience on the Prohibition of Gaming Machines rules. The move, unpopular with casino operators, follows criticism of
Amendment Act 2009, but left the Bill in the Committee stage after cross- Northern Cyprus’s AML regime from international watchdogs and the US
Party objection. Dr. Brown said the Bill was needed because Bermuda was State Department. Source: gamblingcompliance.com
losing its competitive advantage in attracting cruise ships, particularly the
smaller premium ships capable of docking in Hamilton and St. George’s. FINLAND
The European Commission has decided to make formal
BELGIUM objections to the proposed changes to the Finnish Lotteries
Christel Schaldemose (PSE, Denmark) expressed her surprise Act. These changes would introduce restrictions on indirect marketing of
at the strong interest of the EU Member States in the gambling services for foreign operators and fines and prison sentences of up
“Integrity of Online Gambling”report, “even though it is only an own-initiative to 2 years for both media and online gaming companies operating or
bill at the end of the mandate of this current parliament”. She hopes that, marketing these activities. The European Commission notes that these
even after the European Parliament elections in June, interest will remain changes would cause Finland to breach EU laws even further than the current
high, with the Swedish EU Presidency (July-December 2009) reinvigorating gaming legislation (already under investigation since March 2007). Source:
the discussion and activities begun by the French EU Presidency in 2008. Euromat
Source: Euromat
FRANCE
BELGIUM With France’s politicians now making good on their promises
The 2nd Responsible Gaming Day, with the theme of to allow a controlled opening of the country’s betting and
“Integrity and Sports” was held in the European Parliament gaming market, it came as little surprise that the French appeals court has
on Tuesday 17 February 2009. The conference allowed the online gambling finally waived all charges against Patrick Partouche and his associates for
companies to showcase their belief in the integrity of the online gambling launching their own “offshore” gaming sites in recent years. Source:
industry in the aftermath of the recently adopted IMCO report by Christel gamblingcompliance.com
Schaldemose. Source: Euromat
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APRIL 2009
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