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www.euroslot-online.com LEGISLATION
GERMANY SLOVENIA
The European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry TRIS The Slovenian Ministry of Finance has submitted a notification to
database has been notified of the Draft Casino Act the European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry on
(Spielbankgesetz) for the Land Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, focusing on internet- changes and amendments to the Rules on technical requirements for gambling
related services and gambling machines. An implementation law for the State devices and the conformity assessment procedure. The stated grounds for these
Treaty on Gambling in Germany, the stated main aim of the Act is to prevent and
changes are for the protection of consumers.
combat gambling addiction and to protect consumers from criminal exploitation.
Source: Euromat
Source: Euromat
IRELAND
SPAIN
The Irish Bookmakers Association, Ireland’s independent
The European Commission’s TRIS database received
bookmaker lobbying group, is proposing a licensing scheme for
notifications from Spain regarding the update and regulation of
gaming in the Republic which it claims will secure 2,000 jobs in the retail betting
the terms of reference and technical conditions for gaming machines. In
industry and raise significant additional revenue for the exchequer.
particular, the Community of Madrid sent a notification of a draft order adopting
Source: Gambling Compliance
the regulation of recreational and gaming equipment. Local gaming operators
ITALY
and regulators hope that the new rules will come into place soon after the end of
the European Commission’s standstill period (until 8 June 2009).
The European Commission has sent an official request (as a
Source: Euromat
“Reasoned Opinion”) to Italy, requiring it to comply with the
European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgement on horse-racing licenses. By
postponing the deadline for the implementation of new improved laws, the Italian
TURKEY
government is risking major sanctions from the EC.
The future of Lottomatica’s joint venture bid to run the Turkish
Source: Euromat
lottery has been thrown into doubt after its partner firm in the
ITALY
country saw its assets frozen late last month by the tax authorities. Source:
Over the past nine years, margin levels on sports betting have
Gambling Compliance
shown small declines in Italy, but with a favourable tax
UNITED KINGDOM
environment delivering net margins at close to 18 percent, they still remain
extremely healthy compared to those earned in other markets.
The UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport has
Source: Gambling Compliance
submitted two notifications to the European Commission’s TRIS
database: the first proposes to change the definition of category C and D gaming
THE NETHERLANDS
machines in order to allow the increase in stake and prize levels and therefore
According to a letter from the European Commission, the Dutch
improve the financial situation for gaming operators. The second notification
state monopoly on sports betting is illegal and infringes upon EU
makes changes to the technical standards of category C machines, so that they
law. This letter has been kept from the public for over a year, due to attempts by
are clearly distinct from category B machines.
the government to maintain the monopoly in order to combat problem gambling
Source: Euromat
and criminal activities.
Source: Euromat
UNITED KINGDOM
NORWAY
A consultation process conducted by the UK Gambling
New legislation requiring payment providers to block payments
Commission has found there is not yet sufficient evidence to
to online gaming operators will reinforce the state monopoly over
justify regulatory restrictions to limit ‘live’ or ‘in-running’ betting opportunities
gambling in Norway.  The state’s restrictive licensing regime has been the subject
offered by UK-based bookmakers.
of numerous EFTA court challenges as EU-based gaming operators contend it
Source: Gaming Intelligence
contravenes Norway’s obligation under the EEA Agreement.
Source: Gambling Compliance
UNITED STATES
PORTUGAL
EU Trade Commissioner, Catherine Ashton, announced that the
The European Commission said this week that it will refer
EU investigations into US laws banning online gambling found
Portugal to the European Court of Justice over the country’s that the laws violated World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. The laws were
discriminatory rules that provide for the taxation of the vast majority of foreign shown to discriminate against EU online gaming operators. However,
lottery winnings, despite winnings from national lotteries or lotteries that are Commissioner Ashton hopes that cooperation with the new US administration
part of the European Euromillions network being exempt from income tax. will avoid the need for legal action before the WTO.
Source: Gaming Intelligence Source: Euromat
MAY 2009
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