Compliance Updates
Ireland Implements Interim Gaming and Lotteries Act
The new interim Gaming and Lotteries Act in Ireland has come into force, modernising the promotion of gaming and standardising a minimum age of 18 for all gambling products.
The interim Act has been introduced ahead of a more comprehensive overhaul of gambling regulation planned for next year.
James Browne, minister with special responsibility for gambling regulation, said: “This act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and will help the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity.
“These activities, held primarily for charitable and philanthropic purposes, are the lifeblood of our sporting clubs and community organisations across the country.”
The new act sets a minimum age limit of 18 for all forms of gambling, including betting on the Tote, which previously had no age limit.
It also aims to streamline and modernise the application process for gaming and lottery permits and for licences to run small-scale, local gaming and lottery activity. It also adds more consumer protection rules to the promotion of gaming products. It also directs more proceeds from lotteries go to charitable causes.
Minister Browne said: “Gambling is a large and evolving industry. It must be the subject of a modern, sensible and effective licensing and regulatory approach.
“My department is now engaged in the drafting of a general scheme of a new bill to provide for that comprehensive reform.”
The changes will not affect end-of-year draws, the minister said. Permits and licences already issued under the 1956 act will remain valid until their next renewal date.
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Australia
ACMA Blocks More Illegal Gambling Websites
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal gambling websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Jogi Casino, Dundee Slots, Lucky Hunter, Lucky Wins, Lukki Casino, Spin Fever, Clubhouse Casino and Winport Casino.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal gambling services. This action can be taken if a service is:
- providing prohibited interactive gambling services to customers in Australia (such as online casinos, online slot machines and services that allow in-play online sports betting)
- providing an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service to customers in Australia (such as online betting services that don’t have a valid Australian licence)
- publishing ads for prohibited interactive gambling services or unlicensed regulated interactive gambling services in Australia.
Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 975 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Over 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Swedish BOS rejects the proposal “A new ban on gambling on credit”
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) submits its statement to the Ministry of Finance on the memorandum “A new ban on gambling on credit”, in which a ban on credit cards for gambling is proposed.
BOS rejects the proposal. This is justified by Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, among other things through the proposal’s negative consequences on channelization.
If the government nevertheless goes ahead with the proposal, BOS proposes that the obligation not to mediate payments for gambling purposes be imposed on those issuing credit cards rather than on gambling operators. In this way, it will be prohibited for credit card issuers, under the supervision of the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), to mediate payments via credit cards for all gambling companies, including illegal and/or unlicensed gambling companies. Almost half of the Swedish online casino market is unlicensed and/or illegal due to heavy restrictions of the licensed market.
In the name of consumer protection Sweden should not add new restrictions on consumers that still place their bets on the legal gambling market. That is the main reason for us to turn this suggestion down. Should the government want to proceed with a credit card prohibition on gambling, we suggest that such restriction is directed not towards gambling operators but credit card issuers, since the latter are also serving the half of the market that is illegal and unlicensed, says Gustaf Hoffstedt.
The post Swedish BOS rejects the proposal “A new ban on gambling on credit” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
DGOJ Begins Work to Create Central Data Registry
The Spanish gambling regulator DGOJ has initiated work on data administration policies and practices for the creation of a common centralised registry of gambling data. The registry would compile customer data from all Spanish-licensed gambling operators to provide a holistic view of activity.
DGOJ director general Mikel Arana has taken input from the Sectoral Commission, the General Assembly’s advisory body for policy and federal and directives. Initial discussions are focusing on improving data integration across public administrations and integrating the data into a comprehensive report on gaming activity.
Arana said: “The establishment of a centralised data registry will enhance the transparency and accountability of gambling operations in Spain. It will provide a robust framework for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the highest standards of responsible gaming.”
The General Assembly ordered the creation of a central registry over a year ago through the Decree on Responsible Gambling Environments. It will allow the DGOJ to monitor gambling licensees’ activities and customer engagement. Operators will have to establish risk profiles for customers aged under 25.
The next stage will involve consultations with stakeholders, including operators. The DGOJ aims to finalise an implementation plan by the end of the year. The registry would come into effect in early 2025. The remaining know-your-customer measures of the decree will be introduced in 2025.
The post DGOJ Begins Work to Create Central Data Registry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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