regulation Archives

January 15, 2024

UK affordability checks to be debated in February after successful petition

Affordability checks will be debated in the UK's parliament on 26 February, following a successful petition calling to stop their implementation.

The petition opposed the widespread introduction of financial checks outlined in the Gambling Act review white paper. Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale registered the petition in early November.

By the end of November, the petition had passed 100,000 signatures, the number required for parliament discussion. A debate has now been scheduled for 26 February after it was discussed in Westminster Hall last Tuesday.

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), responded: “The fact that our survey reached the required 100,000 signatures threshold in just 27 days is powerful testament to the strength of feeling shared by bettors over the proposed checks.

“While we support the need to protect individuals from the risk of gambling-related harm it remains the case that millions of people enjoy betting..

January 4, 2024

GambleAware CEO “welcomes” statutory UK industry levy

GambleAware’s chief executive Zoe Osmond “welcomes” the establishment of a statutory industry levy, believing it will help to fund gambling harms research.

Proposed as one of a host of measures in the Gambling Act white paper, the new levy would be set as a 1% fee on gross gambling yield for online gambling operators. Traditional betting shops and casinos will pay a proposed fee of around 0.4%.

The government says the levy would raise an estimated £100m (€115.5m/$121.7m) per year.

The operators would pay the levy to the Gambling Commission. The hope is this will ensure all licensed operators in the UK pay their fair share. The current voluntary levy system allows operators to pay a chosen sum.

With the consultation on the statutory levy ending in mid-December, Osmond has hailed its introduction, saying: “GambleAware welcomes the introduction of a statutory industry levy to fund gambling harms research, prevention and treatment (RPT).

“This is something we have long called for and..

December 22, 2023

Netherlands minister Weerwind announces new plans to counter problem gambling

The Netherlands minister for legal protection, Franc Weerwind, has announced new measures that he hopes will protect players from problem gambling.

Weerwind’s letter comes in response to “worrying and undesirable developments” in the Netherlands’ gambling industry. With the evaluation of the Remote Gambling Act not expected until 2024, Weerwind has decided to push on with the government’s new plans before then.

The new measures, announced on Thursday, include providers being required to contact players who have set a deposit limit of €350 (£303/$386). Operators should inform such players of the risks of gambling in such high amounts.

As reported by CasinoNieuws, Weerwind’s other proposals involve exhibiting financial amounts in euros and pushing for further research on overarching gaming limits.

In October, Weerwind announced a multi-year digital resilience campaign programme to combat fraud associated with online gambling.

In his letter, Weerwind said: “Everyone who wants to do s..

December 18, 2023

Episode 24: Victor Rocha on California’s betting ballot measure

The industry was shocked when a new California sports betting ballot measure landed after last year’s bruising fight, but Pechanga.net's Victor Rocha tells the World Series of Politics that tribes are up for the next battle.

Rocha, one of the most eloquent and influential voices in the Indian Gaming Association and host of The New Normal, tells Brendan Bussmann and Robin Harrison how any California sports betting debate will shake out.

“Smoke and mirrors”

“It’s insulting,” Rocha says of the new ballot measure, arguing it looks to drive a wedge between Californian gaming and non-gaming tribes. A set of amendments doesn’t make it any more palatable. “It’s all smoke and mirrors.

“These guys are not listening, because they don’t care. They want to go forward and they are shocked they don’t see Indians running towards them throwing flowers at their feet.”

California sports betting: All roads lead to the tribes

Gaming tribes aren’t trying to be obstructionist, he explains, in fig..

December 13, 2023

Brazil’s senate votes to approve sports betting – igaming removed

Brazil's senate plenary voted yesterday (12 December) to approve the amendments to Bill 3,626/2023, which will regulate sports betting. However, igaming was removed from the bill.

Originally scheduled for 6 December, the vote was delayed due to a lack of available senators to vote.

The bill was presented by Senator Angelo Coronel to the senate yesterday evening. It contained the latest round of amendments following initial approval of the bill three weeks ago by Brazil’s Economic Affairs’ Commission.

While the bill faced significant opposition, three key highlights were focused on in yesterday’s voting session.

The first, and most notable, is that the senate voted to remove igaming from the bill. The amendment was presented by Senator Carlos Portinho, with 37 votes in favour of excluding igaming and 27 against.

In addition to the exclusion of igaming, the senate also voted to exclude virtual games and sports betting terminals. An amendment that would prohibit sports betti..

November 29, 2023

Brazil’s Senate plenary to delay final voting on regulation until December

Today's vote in Brazil's Senate plenary has been delayed until December, following more than 100 amendments to the bill.

Originally scheduled to vote for today (29 November), the Senate plenary has agreed to delay the vote until an unconfirmed date in December.

This follows the bill being presented by Senator Angelo Coronel, a key proponent for legalisation in Brazil.

The newly proposed amendments total more than 100, which will now be considered. These include a proposed taxation of fantasy sports on the same level as the 12% for sports betting and online casino, as well as the role of the health sector in the exclusion process.

Due to the requested amends, and there being a lack of of quorum to vote, the vote will now be delayed.

The president of the Brazilian Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, will now need to decide the next voting date, although this is expected to be in December.

Once the bill is approved, it will need to be returned to the Chamber of Deputies for revie..

November 27, 2023

Brazil’s upcoming vote: Everything you need to know

Brazil's Senate plenary could vote to legalise sports betting and online casino on Wednesday (29 November). Ahead of the vote, we bring you all you need to know about the journey so far.

Before we delve into the complex legal history of sports betting in Brazil, let’s start off with last week’s key step.

Last Tuesday (21 November), the industry was waiting eagerly for Brazil’s Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) to vote on whether to greenlight sports betting and igaming through Bill 3,626/2023. This was delayed by one day on the request of senators, according to Senado Noticias.

The bill will now head to the Senate Plenary this Wednesday (29 November)

The CAE’s eventual approval on Wednesday 22 November gave the thumbs-up for the bill to move to the Senate plenary. This session will now take place this Wednesday (29 November). If the plenary vote goes in the bill’s favour, sports betting and igaming will officially be legal in Brazil.

Importantly, the outcome at the CAE confirm..

November 20, 2023

GC’s Andrew Rhodes walks the tightrope on affordability checks

Fifty-year UK industry veteran, David Brown, evaluates the tightrope being walked by the Gambling Commission on affordability checks.

During the “largest ever gathering of industry leaders” on 10 November, Andrew Rhodes, the Gambling Commission’s (GC) chief executive, attempted to walk the tightrope on affordability checks.

The story of affordability checks has created the most united front between punter, racing media and bookmaker that the UK has seen.

To his credit, we can certainly say that Rhodes has arguably done more to bring the industry together than anyone ever before.

However, that united front is now against him and the Gambling Commission, especially following his speech on 8 November.

The challenge that the GC now faces is the need to balance player protection while keeping the industry sustainable.

The speech: what went wrong

Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has a tightrope to walk WITH AFFORDABILITY CHECKS

The GC has a precarious tightrope to walk. Howev..

November 13, 2023

Kenya Gambling Control Bill 2023 proposes new regulator and sweeping reform

Kenya has introduce a Gambling Control Bill in an effort to establish a new Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The Gambling Control Bill 2023, currently before parliament, establishes a new Gambling Regulatory Authority. Once approved, it will replace the current Betting, Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).

KENyA GAMBLING CONTROL BILL 2023 TO INTRODUCE NEW AUTHORITY

Incorporating the board’s present mandate, the new Authority will also be responsible for both licensing and regulation.

“The bill seeks to regulate betting, casinos and other forms of gambling, including the authorisation of prize competitions, public lotteries and media promotions,” the bill states.

The state-backed Gambling Control Bill is sponsored by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Cracking down on unlicensed and underage gambling

The newly-introduced Gambling Control Bill is designed to greatly enhance the board’s original mandate.

This follows previous statements in 2022 that the majorit..

November 10, 2023

Affordability checks: GC chief dismisses black market fears

GC chief executive Andrew Rhodes again dismissed arguments that “intrusive” affordability checks would drive customers towards the black market.

In a bid to quell the gathering storm around affordability checks, Andrew Rhodes, the Gambling Commission’s (GC) chief executive, addressed the largest-ever gathering of industry leaders on the 10 November.

Amid conflicts with stakeholders across the UK betting landscape, Rhodes looked to outline the challenges the industry faces with the implementation of the government’s Gambling Act Review white paper.

Affordability polarisation

Acknowledging the increasing polarisation within the industry, Rhodes looked to re-iterate the Commission’s impartiality as an independent regulator.

“We have clear statutory objectives and responsibilities. We don’t have a commercial interest in what happens, but that doesn’t mean we ignore commercial realities,” he said.

“The debate on gambling has been exceptionally hard to engage in during the past year. ..

November 3, 2023

Jockey Club CEO launches petition against affordability checks

Nevin Truesdale, CEO of The Jockey Club’s is rallying opposition against the proposed implementation of financial risk checks on online gamblers in the UK through an online petition.

The petition, entitled “Stop the implementation of betting affordability/financial risk checks”, went live on Wednesday. By 5pm UK time on Friday, the petition had received more than 43,500 signatures.

When a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it is considered for a parliamentary debate.

The petition underlines belief “in the freedom of the individual to choose how to spend their money”, Truesdale stated.

Financial risk checks were one of the many terms put forward in the Gambling Act review white paper. The Gambling Commission concluded a public consultation last month after receiving over 2,000 responses.

Media misinformation claims

However, the subject has proven to be highly controversial.

In a recent speech, Commission chief Andrew Rhodes hit back at what he called “misinformation” in the me..

October 17, 2023

Italian footballer suspended for seven months amid illegal betting scandal

The Italian Federal Prosecutor's Office has handed Juventus footballer Nicolò Fagioli a seven-month suspension for betting on football events.

Reports about Fagioli emerged last week, claiming he placed bets with an unlicensed gambling site. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) rules state athletes found betting on the sport can face bans of up to three years.

Two more Italian national team players, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa player Nicolo Zaniolo were later revealed to be under investigation and withdrawn from selection.

According to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Fagioli has reached an agreement with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. This is in line with article 126 of the CGS, which allows the subject of an investigation to apply for a reduced sanction. Fagioli will also be fined €12,500 (£10,849/$13,239)

Further reports today (17 October) say that Guiseppe Riso, Tonali’s agent, confirmed that he had a gambling addiction. Henry Winter, chief fo..

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Tag: regulation