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ARMENIA
This conflict is significant as the lobby of
internet betting operators is very strong has KAZAKHSTAN
become very active in the discussion with
As the Russian Federation’s casinos prepare to representatives of Ernst and Young and with This is the ninth largest nation in the world –
close rather than relocate to poorly-executed and politicians. equivalent to the size of the whole of Western
remote gaming zones, the republic of Armenia Many towns and cities have put restrictions on Europe! Despite this, the amusement and gaming
has also taken steps towards adopting gambling gaming in their territories particularly for AWP market is relatively small. But is should not be
enclaves of its own. operation. Some towns, such as Prague, have overlooked.
stopped new sites from opening, others have The Kazakh market was regulated in 2007 by
pushed arcades out of the historic centres. a law signed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
CROATIA
The Czech Republic, has just taken over the EU It limited gambling activities to two gaming
Presidency, and is receiving pressure from the zones in the country, Kapchagai and Schuchinsk.
A boom in tourism, fuelled by the arrival in the Dutch and the French governments in order to Before the law came into effect, there were
country of low-cost airlines Ryanair and Easyjet, continue work on gambling policy at Council around 132 casinos in the country, 2,000 gaming
has steadily increased casino attendance in level. It seems likely that the Czech Presidency halls, 53 betting shops and one totalizator.
Croatia since 2006. This growth has led a will devote part of its agenda to gambling Now, however, it is impossible to say exactly
number of international investors to take interest although it is not yet known in what form and what size the market is in Kazakhstan. Gaming
in the casinos situated in Croatia’s seaside resort when. businesses were given a very short time – only
destinations, which have come to be dubbed the The Czech Ministry of Finance has issued three months – to move their interests to the
“new Riviera”. In the country’s capital, renovation permits to the country’s five largest bookmakers new gambling zones. Therefore, many operators
work at the Casino Zagreb was completed on allowing them to accept bets over the internet for simply changed the nature of their businesses,
November 25th 2008. the first time. The licences have been granted turning arcades into cafes or nightclubs.
after years of lobbying from operators and come Understandably, a lot of gambling activity in the
as the Ministry prepares broader reform of the country simply went underground.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech gambling market. The government has released statistics
showing that it has issued a total of ten licences
The Ministry of Finance prepared new gaming for betting shops, four for totalizators and only
legislation last year, which was so strongly one casino licence.
rejected by both operators and local authorities
COMMENT FROM SPONSOR
Instant lotteries, online casinos and bingo exist
that it was not even submitted to parliament. in Kazakhstan but are not as popular as in other
The Ministry of Finance instead decided to write Czech Republic - The laws in the Czech countries. Bingo comes under the lottery
the new law from scratch again. They replaced Republic are very demanding. A prerequisite of regulations. Online poker is growing but online
the director of the Gaming Board at the Ministry success is to not only understand these but gaming is actually illegal under the new law.
of Finance and then selected Ernst & Young to also player needs. The fact that Apex Gaming Some operators decided not to move their
manage a public discussion about objectives of Europe has one of its manufacturing facilities gaming businesses to the two zones decreed by
the new legislation. in the Czech Republic is a major factor in Apex the government. Instead, they chose the capital
This process is now underway and Ernst & having a very good understanding of this of nearby Kyrgyzstan. Many Kazakh gamblers
Young should submit its report to the Ministry of market. An excellent example of success is now travel over the border to enjoy gambling in
Finance by the end of August. The most with INGO Casino – one of the largest casino Kyrgyz casinos and many hundreds of thousands
important discussion is particularly about groups in the Czech Republic. Player response of tax dollars are lost to the Kazakh government.
internet betting. This is actually currently illegal and machine earnings mean that the INGO
in the Czech Republic but many internet betting Casino management decided to equip all their
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offices are operating without having an operating casinos 100% with both Apex casino slot
licence and without paying any gaming taxes to machines and Apex equipment.
the Czech Government. They are however not
being prosecuted by the Czech authorities and
those who are operating legally are complaining
that this is not fair.
6
SEPTEMBER 2009
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