Compliance Updates
Romania’s PM Announces “Gambling Reform” – Companies That Do Not Have Their Tax Headquarters in Romania Banned
No company will be able to operate in the field of gambling if it does not have its tax headquarters in Romania, a project in this regard was introduced in meeting of the Government, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday, who gave the example of companies with headquarters “through Transnistria”. He accused that during the pandemic “the gambling mafia was at the Government’s table”: “Slots were open all over Romania, while churches and hospitals were closed”.
At the beginning of the government meeting, Ciolacu said that an emergency ordinance in this regard will be introduced in the meeting of the Executive.
“I will also move forward on gambling regulations. I have no problem with the threats from the slot industry, and on Thursday we will issue an emergency ordinance by which all operators will be obliged to have their tax headquarters in Romania,” stated Ciolacu.
He said that the law in the Parliament, which provides for the removal of gambling halls outside the localities, will enter a regime of rapid adoption.
“I am convinced that the state authorities will shed light on how these intermediaries want to pressure certain politicians to make decisions in favor of this industry, as has happened in the past. As they did during the pandemic, when the gambling mafia was at the Government’s table. Slots were open all over Romania, while churches and hospitals were closed,” said Ciolacu.
PM Ciolacu made these statements at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, where he went to the opening of the academic year, he said then that the ban will be applied to companies that do not have their headquarters in Romania: “In the meeting from Thursday I will come with the gambling reform. No company, if it does not have its headquarters in Romania, will no longer be able to have this activity on the territory of Romania”.
Marcel Ciolacu accused on Saturday that there is “a form of blackmail” against him, as well as other officials of the Romanian state, after he proposed the draft law that removes the gambling halls outside the localities. “In my capacity as prime minister, I request the Romanian state to see if we are talking about a violation of the law and blackmail or just a random phenomenon,” added the PSD leader.
The bill that takes gambling halls out of towns was passed in early September by senators. According to the legislative initiative, the license for gambling is granted depending on the number of inhabitants of the locality, proven by a certificate issued by the local public administration authority, so that there is at most one workplace per 20,000 inhabitants.
The draft law aims to amend GEO 77/2009, being initiated by a group of MPs from the PSD and stipulates that the space dedicated to gambling is located no more than 50 meters from the territorial limit of the city/municipality or commune, including the municipality Bucharest.
All betting agencies, casinos or slot machines are targeted, with the exception of Lottery agencies for the sale of their own products. The draft law will go to the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case.
Compliance Updates
Czech Financial Administration Prevent Tax Evasion in Gambling Sector Amounting to CZK 540M
The Czech Financial Administration has successfully prevented tax evasion in the gambling sector amounting to CZK 540m.
Through a specialized financial department, authorities identified discrepancies in financial flows within casinos and gambling operators for the years 2021 and 2022. The findings were made public in a press release.
The tax evasion was uncovered through a detailed analysis of gaming data, which revealed unusual player behaviour and suspicious financial transactions. During an inspection of a gambling operator, the authorities detected irregularities that led to an additional tax assessment of CZK 340m. The audit further uncovered errors in the reporting of fees and commissions, resulting in an extra tax obligation of CZK 200m.
“Gambling is a highly regulated sector with significant tax revenues, which is why it is crucial for us to systematically minimize opportunities for illegal practices. This achievement demonstrates that our efforts have a tangible impact on market fairness and tax collection,” Otakar Sladkovský, Director of the Specialized Tax Office, said.
Although gambling tax is a relatively smaller contributor to the state’s overall tax revenues, it remains an important source of income. Last year, gambling taxes generated CZK 20.6 billion, reflecting a 12.5% increase compared to the previous year. Of this amount, CZK 14.2 billion was allocated to the state budget, while the remaining funds were distributed among municipal budgets. In total, tax revenues for the previous year, excluding compulsory insurance premiums, amounted to CZK 1.42 trillion.
The post Czech Financial Administration Prevent Tax Evasion in Gambling Sector Amounting to CZK 540M appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist order to BetNow.eu Sportsbook, Casino, and Racebook (BetNow), an offshore online casino operating illegally within the state. The site offers a range of casino games, including slots, poker, and live dealer options such as blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as betting services for sports events and horse races.
“This unlicensed operator not only violates Michigan law, but also exposes consumers to significant risks. Our job is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling is conducted legally and responsibly,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
BetNow offers numerous payment options for player deposits, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Bitcoin Cash, CashMG, and bank transfers. However, players must wager their entire initial deposit before becoming eligible to withdraw any winnings.
The MGCB’s investigation found that BetNow is in violation of several key state laws, including:
• Lawful Internet Gaming Act: Only licensed operators are permitted to offer internet gaming. Only Michigan-licensed casinos and federally authorized tribal casinos can apply for a gaming license under state law.
• Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Operating an unlicensed gambling business is a felony in Michigan, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
• Michigan Penal Code: Gambling, which involves payment based on the outcome of an uncertain event, is prohibited under state law. Accepting money with the understanding it will be paid based on a game of chance is illegal.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Order to BetNow appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The National Council of Games of Chance and Luck in Colombia has issued Agreement 802 of 2025, through which operators are authorized to use random number generators complementary to the use of raffles and to broadcast the draws over the internet.
“We are working to modernize the entire industry, and that means implementing new technologies. With this Agreement, our goal is that, based on number generators, lottery operators can carry out more draws per year. This means not only an increase in sales, but also in transfers for health,” Marco Emilio Hincapié, president of Coljuegos, said.
Random number generators are systems that allow numbers to be chosen at random. These programs work through computer algorithms that create statistically independent results without following specific patterns that lead to them being predictable.
“From now on, lottery operators will have the possibility of continuing to use the ballot boxes and, at the same time, create more draws in which random number generators are used,” said the president.
“In addition, they will be able to broadcast the draws through their websites, social media and traditional media such as television. This will provide greater transparency in the draws and more guarantees for bettors,” he added.
This new regulation is part of the strategy to transform and optimize the operation of games of chance and luck with computer security and transparency standards.
The post Colombian Lottery Operators Get Permission to Use Random Number Generators appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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