Worldwide Gambling Regulatory Updates for June 2021

As the summer hits, the regulatory changes in the gambling industries seem to have wound down a little, though there are still hotspots around the world that are quite active.

Here is the full breakdown of all that’s happened in the US and the rest of the world in that regard.

US Regulatory Updates

Maine: In Maine, the state Senate has passed the SB1352 bill that authorizes retail and online sports betting with certain amendments. The newly amended bill limits sports betting licenses to brick and mortar casinos. The bill was sent to Governor for signing.

Ohio: State senate has approved the bill SB247 that authorizes and regulates online and retail sports betting. It has made its way to the House for final consideration.

Louisiana: HB697, the bill that established a 10% tax rate on the gross win on retail sports betting and 15% on mobile sports betting, has been signed by the Governor. Also, SB247, which authorizes and regulates mobile sports betting was approved by the Senate.

Washington: The Gambling Commission has approved the renegotiated gaming compacts with 15 tribes. This was sent to Governor for approval and draft rules should be published on July 7th and approved by the end of July.

Arizona: State’s Department of Gaming has set September 9th as the provisional launch date for the sports betting market in this state.

Tennessee: State Governor Bill Lee has signed SB588 into law, legislation that will transfer the regulatory duties over the sports betting market from Tennessee Lottery Board to Sports Wagering Advisory Council from January 1st, 2022.

Pennsylvania: State Lottery was handed the right to provide online instant games. The case was brought by the casino industry in the state which stated that these games were in breach of the Lottery Act because they imitated slot machines. It was found, however, that the games do not contain any key features of slot machines.

European Regulatory Updates

Norway: A new Gambling Act was submitted by the Government of this country. It will unify all the existing gambling legislation into one, including a measure granting Gaming Authority the power to enforce sanctions on operators and affiliates that operate without a license.

Finland: A maximum loss limit of EUR 1,500 was introduced by Veikkaus for bets on final match results, as well as obligatory identity verification across all betting points. Also, it was confirmed that restrictions on customers’ daily and monthly loss limit for online gambling - introduced when the pandemic first hit - will be made permanent by the Government.

Denmark: Internet service providers are legally obliged to block unlicensed gambling sites at the request of Spillemynidheden. The regulator was required to prove Danish citizens had been gambling on the sites before they are blocked, but the Court ruled that the operator can demand ISP blocks if they can prove that the sites targeting the license have no license.

Ukraine: The consumer protection regulations will be implemented to protect citizens after the expansion of the country’s gambling market happens. This includes self-exclusion options, deposit limits and views time spent playing.

Italy:  The EGBA appealed to the Italian officials to alert the European Commission of suggestions to cut down the number of interactive gambling operators in the market. The suggestions were placed in November 2019.

UK:  From October 1st 2021 the yearly fees for remote gambling operators will increase by 55%, the fee for new applicants would increase by 60% and the 5% discount for combined remote and non-remote operating licenses would be removed. From April 1st, 2022, the annual license fee for non-remote operators would increase by 15%.

Germany: The German Government’s Finance Committee has forwarded the bill that sets a 5.3% turnover tax on iGaming, including unlicensed and illegally operated games. The bill will be subject to a house vote, expected towards the end of June, but this is expected to be a formality, with the new Treaty scheduled to be implemented on 1 July.

Rest of the World Regulatory Updates

Kenya: Leading Kenyan football clubs have spoken out against the proposal to reintroduce a 20% turnover tax on sports betting, saying that it will rule out continued sponsorship of the sport and lead to the collapse of most of the league’s teams. The proposal is scheduled to be debated this month.

Mexico: Congressman Erik Isaac Morales Elvira presented a proposal to expand the regulation of sports betting in Mexico. The initiative would reform The Betting and Raffles Law of 1947 to give the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) the power to authorize and supervise sports betting.

Source:

H2 Gambling Capital