New Belgian Online Laws Illogical
Te Belgium Association of Gambling Operators (BAGO) says the Belgian govern- ment is shooting itself in the foot with new online laws.
“Te government is also shooting itself in the foot with this.” Massimo Menegalli, Board member of BAGO.
EMEA LEGISLATION
A bill that will be on the agenda of the Justice Committee in the House of Representatives threatens to make it impossible to monitor player behaviour. Te strict cumulation ban that is proposed is unnecessary and undesirable, says BAGO, the Belgian professional association of gambling operators.
New laws would mean that players have to register for separate online betting and casino accounts. Te change to the law states: “It is not permitted to use the same player account for participation in games of chance operated on the basis of different licences. It is prohibited to transact between different player accounts.”
Te bill introduces a number of measures aimed at better protecting consumers and vulnerable populations. Te so-called 3.3. vending machines will be banned and sports betting in newsagents will be subject to the EPIS system and will only be accessible after an e-ID check.
“As a professional association of gambling operators, who advocate a responsible gambling policy, we support every legislative initiative that aims to protect consumers and vulnerable populations as much as possible against the dangers of problematic gaming behaviour,” said BAGO chairman Tom De Clercq.
However, BAGO warns that the bill also contains Italy
Relax Gaming has agreed a deal to supply operator group PokerStars with its portfolio of games, making the provider’s titles available in the Italian market for the first time. Tis marks the first stage of Relax’s plans to expand significantly across multiple European markets throughout 2022.
In due course, PokerStars will also gain access to content from Relax’s 50-plus hand- picked studio partners, made possible by its hugely successful Powered By Relax and Silver Bullet partnership programmes. As one of Europe’s leading regulated iGaming markets, Relax’s debut marks a significant milestone in the provider’s expansion roadmap.
a measure that poses a serious threat to consumer protection. Te majority wants to introduce a strict cumulation ban on online licences. Te bill introduces four prohibitions, in particular:
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A ban on offering multiple types of games of chance online via the same domain name and associated URLs;
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A ban on referrals of players to games of chance of another class;
A prohibition to use the same player account, with a view to participating in different classes of games of chance offered by the same operator; and
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A ban on transacting between different player accounts.
BAGO points out that a strict cumulation ban will lead to more players resorting to illegal gambling operators, who will continue to offer multiple products unhindered and do not offer any guarantee of player protection.
A recent study by Ghent University conducted amongst young adults in the Netherlands showed how present illegal providers already are. A third of all the gambling advertising that young adults face comes from illegal operators. BAGO emphasises that this measure may also have serious consequences for the fight against money laundering.
Spain Madrid tightens gambling venue rules
A Community Decree approved by the Governing Council of Madrid is about to overhaul betting and gambling operations in Spain’s capital.
In April, the council unanimously voted in favour of the decree that will supercede existing laws governing gambling premises operating across Madrid’s 21 districts.
Te decree aims to significantly reduce the number of betting venues within Madrid districts, in which businesses will have to maintain a 300m distance between establishments.
Te decree also ensures that a gambling centre such as a bookmaker, arcade, bingo hall and casino, must maintain a
minimum distance of 100m between schools, universities and youth recreational centres.
Local districts will no longer be able to grant business licences for gambling premises/venues, as control passes to the Governing Council of Madrid.
Te Decree’s venue and licensing rules had been applied during 2020 and 2021, as local districts observed COVID-19 lockdown rules.
Te business registry of the Community of Madrid currently sees 685 gambling venues operate within the Spanish capital of – which 160 are bookmakers, 480 arcades, 33 bingo halls and four community licensed casinos.
ROMANIA – EveryMatrix is expanding its Bucharest development hub through a new agreement with STRABAG Real Estate. The new high-tech building developed by STRABAG Real Estate will accommodate the company’s 350 employees across 7,500sq.m of office space.
The new hub to be developed by STRABAG Real Estate will offer EveryMatrix’s team the best working experience and environment. The new establishment will have many facilities such as an in-house gym, a pool, an exterior backyard garden, several green spaces, a diner, a coffee shop, retail services on the ground floor, and relaxation rooms on all floors.
SPAIN – The arrival of Zitro’s Bashiba Link at Casino de Colón has caused great excitement. Featured on the Illusion cabinet, it is already captivating casino players around the world, thanks to its curved screen with exciting game features.
Bashiba Link is a four-level multigame progressive that combines the bonus link with proven multiway game mechanics. It is featured on the Illusion cabinet that comes with a 43” ultra-HD curved LCD screen for seamless game play.
“Grupo Gran Madrid remains committed to offering the best gaming experience to its customers and Zitro’s products are a key part of our entertainment offer. Zitro games continue to be among players’ favourites, and we are delighted to have added Bashiba Link, which has been received with great enthusiasm, as we expected,” said Sergio Rupérez, Head of Product Retail-Online at Grupo Gran Madrid.
UK – IGT’s PlayDigital content library will more than double to approximately 225 proprietary games after entering into a definitive agreement to acquire igaming content provider and third-party game aggregator, iSoftBet, for approximately €160m in cash.
The acquisition is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
“The acquisition of iSoftBet will provide market- tested proprietary digital content, advanced game aggregation capabilities, scalable promotional tools, analytics and strong creative talent to IGT’s PlayDigital operations,” explained Vince Sadusky, IGT CEO.
“This will enhance PlayDigital’s competitive capabilities with a proven, complementary content portfolio across Europe and North America as we provide best-in-class games and technology to our fast-growing igaming customers.”
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P19
Wire EMEA
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