Compliance Updates
UKGC Extends National Lottery Licence Competition Timeline
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has extended the timeline for Phase Two of the Fourth National Lottery licence competition, following representations from applicants and experience from Phase One.
The amended timeline will see four weeks added to the Phase Two application stage and a further six weeks for evaluation. These changes will provide the opportunity for applicants to further refine their proposals and for the Commission to evaluate.
“To facilitate these changes, and ensure a smooth transition, we will extend the third National Lottery licence by six months. The Fourth National Lottery licence will begin in February 2024,” UKGC confirmed in a statement.
“We now intend to announce the preferred applicant in February 2022. All dates are indicative and may evolve in line with market feedback and the continued national, and international, impact of COVID-19, all of which we are keeping under constant review.
“Our job is to run the best competition we possibly can – one that is open and fair and results in the best outcome for players and good causes. We want to appoint a licensee that can build on the National Lottery’s legacy and find new opportunities for a sustainable and successful future.
“We remain encouraged by the number of applications received and we look forward to evaluating Phase Two proposals as part of a robust process.”
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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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