Compliance Updates

EGBA Supports Changes to Poland’s Tax Base for Online Sports Betting

Published

3 years ago

November 8, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

According to a new opinion paper by Professor Konrad Raczkowski, Poland’s former finance minister, replacing Poland’s high turnover-based tax for online sports betting with a tax based on gross gaming revenue (GGR) would contribute to a more viable and attractive online gambling market for the country’s sports bettors and raise more tax revenues for the state.

The EGBA supports changes to Poland’s tax base for online sports betting and the introduction of a sensible GGR-based tax in the country.

Poland’s current 12% turnover tax on online sports betting, equal to a 55-65% GGR tax, is one of the highest online sports betting taxes in the EU. According to Professor Raczkowski, only 2 out of the 20 companies which hold online sports betting licenses in the country turn a profit. As a result, over 20% of Polish bettors use websites which are neither licensed, regulated nor taxed in Poland, which is one of the lowest channelisation rates in Europe.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

To correct this, Professor Rackowski recommends a GGR tax of around 20% to “achieve a real decrease in the size of the shadow economy [grey market] in Poland’s bookmaking industry”. The EGBA believes that such a GGR tax rate is sensible, in line with other European countries, would reduce offshore gambling, by providing Polish sports bettors with more choice locally and incentivising most of them to play with Poland’s regulated sports betting websites, and consequently generate more tax revenues for the state.

Evidence from other European countries (and the US) shows that a sensible GGR-based tax of around 20% is a pre-requisite to ensure that an online gambling market is viable: that most of a country’s bettors play within the regulated environment, on websites which are licensed in that country, and apply its consumer protection measures for online gambling. EGBA also believes that a multi-licensing regime for online casino and poker in Poland, which is currently provided by a monopoly, would also help better meet the needs and expectations of Poland’s bettors.

“EGBA welcomes the ongoing discussions on the future of Poland’s online gambling regulation and supports changes to the tax base for online sports betting. The current turnover tax is punitively high and not conducive to a viable online gambling market which meets the needs and expectations of Polish players. Poland is a large gambling market and has a great love for sports, and a sensible GGR-based tax would be an incentive for virtually all Polish players to play with regulated websites and for more of Europe’s betting companies, including EGBA members, to consider applying for an online sports betting license. These companies would not only support Polish sports through sponsorships and other revenues, but also pay gaming taxes and contribute to a more viable market which is attractive to Polish bettors and offers them a safe and regulated environment to play in,” Maarten Haijer, Secretary-General of EGBA, said.

Compliance Updates

Swintt secured ISO 27001: 2022 certification

Published

23 hours ago

February 3, 2025

George Miller

swintt-secured-iso-27001:-2022-certification

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In-demand software provider showcases its commitment to information security requirements by acquiring the industry’s gold standard for trust and compliance

Swintt, the innovative studio behind recent hits Wild Wild North and I Hate Fairytales, has announced it has obtained certification from the International Organization for Standardization confirming its information security meets international regulatory requirements.

Considered to be the gold standard for trust and compliance within the iGaming industry, being able to display ISO 27001: 2022 certification will come as a major milestone for Swintt and help the company further showcase its commitment to meeting the highest operational benchmarks.

With the ISO badge effectively providing a way for Swintt to prove that it adheres to globally accepted best practices when it comes to protecting both company and customer information, the provider is hopeful the new certification will open up doors and help it launch in new markets.

Essentially a must-have certification in a number of global jurisdictions, ISO 27001: 2022 outlines how businesses manage and secure sensitive information – including player details and financial transactions – to safeguard data protection and compliance with approved regulatory standards.

As such, the addition of ISO 27001: 2022 certification to Swintt’s already highly respected and award-winning product line-up should serve to further raise the brand’s credibility with new prospective partners, international regulators and the customers who ultimately enjoy its games.

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “Acquiring ISO 27001: 2022 certification is definitely the gold standard for any operator or software provider looking to showcase its commitment to information security compliance and best practice, so I’m absolutely thrilled that Swintt will now be able to proudly display the organisation’s badge on our website and products.

“Given the importance that safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring your methods are up to recognised regulatory requirements has within the iGaming, I’m very optimistic that adding ISO certification to Swintt’s extensive list of accolades will open up many doors for us in the months to come, be it through creating new partnerships opportunities or helping us enter new markets.”

The post Swintt secured ISO 27001: 2022 certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Altenar

Altenar secures platform provider approval in Peru

Published

23 hours ago

February 3, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

altenar-secures-platform-provider-approval-in-peru

Leading sportsbook technology provider expands footprint in LatAm

Altenar, a leading sports betting and iGaming software provider, has been officially approved as a technological platform provider in Peru, following the country’s newly established online gambling.

A supreme decree published in October 2023 outlined the compliance requirements for iGaming operators, and Altenar acted swiftly to secure certification. As one of the first providers to submit its application, the company successfully met all regulatory standards, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and market expansion.

With Peru now added to Altenar’s growing list of regulated markets, the company continues to solidify its reputation as a trusted and adaptable sportsbook provider worldwide.

Marina Zacharopoulou, Compliance Manager at Altenar, said: “Achieving homologation in Peru is a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise in navigating regulatory landscapes.

“This milestone positions us for further growth across LatAm, ensuring operators in the region have access to a fully certified and high-performing sportsbook solution.”

Diego Salas, Sales Manager at Altenar, added: “Despite the recent challenges the regulation has brought for operators this approval allows us to support our partners in unlocking the full potential of this exciting market.

“We are excited to add Peru to the list of regulated countries we support, and we’re ready to keep empowering operators across LatAm”

The post Altenar secures platform provider approval in Peru appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

BetMGM LLC

PA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $282,205

Published

23 hours ago

February 3, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

pa-gaming-control-board-levies-fines-totaling-$282,205

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) approved three consent agreements presented by its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) resulting in total fines of $282,205.

The largest of the fines is $260,905 and was assessed against Interactive Gaming Operator BetMGM LLC for 152 instances in which an individual on the Board’s Interactive Self-Exclusion List was permitted to gamble on their sites. Licensed operators of iGaming sites in Pennsylvania must deny individuals on the self-exclusion list from establishing or maintaining an interactive gaming site.

The Board additionally approved OEC recommendations resulting in fines to:

•Rush Street Gaming LLC, a $13,800 fine for failure to file a Principal License renewal application for its Chief Financial Officer; and,

•Stadium Casino Westmoreland RE LLC, operator of Live! Casino Pittsburgh, a $7500 fine for using revoked software within 11 of its slot machines.

Copies of any of the approved Consent Agreements containing additional details are available upon request through the Board’s Office of Communications.

The Board also took action to place, or deny removal, of four individuals from its casino Involuntary Exclusion list for leaving a minor or minors unattended while gambling in a Pennsylvania casino. Placed on the list were:

•A male patron who left a 12-year-old unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot at Live! Casino Philadelphia on two occasions the same day for a total of 20 minutes while he gambled at the sportsbook. The patron also was cited for cheating and trespass; and,

•A female patron who left a 12-year-old unattended in the bus lobby of Mount Airy Casino Resort for 26 minutes while she gambled on slot machines.

Denied their requested removal from earlier placement on the Involuntary Exclusion list were:

•A male who, in 2022, left five minors, ages 2,4, 5, 11, and 13 unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs & Casino for 35 minutes while he gambled at slot machines; and,

•A female who, in 2021, left her 14-month-old child unattended in a locked vehicle in the parking lot of Valley Forge Resort Casino on multiple occasions the same day for a total of 11 minutes with outside temperatures of 88 degrees while she gambled in the sportsbook.

Actions such as these to deny statewide gambling privileges serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children. To compliment the efforts by casinos to mitigate this issue, the Board created an awareness campaign, “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.

In all, the Board placed 9 individuals onto its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists. These placements prohibit the individuals from either gaming in a casino in Pennsylvania, via an online betting site regulated by the Board, or a Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) location. Since its inception, 1280 persons have been placed on the Casino Involuntary Exclusion List while 62 persons are on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List.

The Gaming Control Board is scheduled to meet next at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 in the Board’s Public Hearing Room located on the second floor of the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg. More information including the agenda will be posted on the Board’s website prior to the meeting.

The post PA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $282,205 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.