International
BTAMOGI attended events in London in January
The event was attended by industry representatives, including a number of EUROMAT members, national regulators and policymakers.Remote gambling industry challenges Greek protectionist law
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) have today filed a complaint with the European Commission regarding the recently adopted Greek online gambling law. The complaint details a range of non-EU compliant barriers to new market entrants and requests that the Commission, as guardian of the EU Treaties, address this as a matter of urgency.New gambling law for Serbia
Serbia adopted a new gambling law on November 22. The law aims to reduce the number of illegal operators and tackle the problem of money laundering associated with the industry.European Commission already planning next steps after the Green Paper
During a debate held ahead of the vote in the European Parliament, Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, stated that harmonisation is not on his agenda. He then explained that there is, however, a need for common action on certain key aspects and announced his intention to table a comprehensive proposal on online gambling.European Parliament adopts resolution on online gambling
On 15 November 2011, the European Parliament adopted during its plenary session in Strasbourg the own-initiative report of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) on online gambling. Although, this is a non-legislative resolution, it now represents the Parliament’s formal response to the European Commission’s Green Paper consultation on Online Gambling in the Internal Market published earlier this year.Online gaming and betting: Greek draft law draws criticism from the European Commission
The European Commission issued a detailed opinion against the Greek draft law on online gambling on 7 July 2011 (see link). This detailed opinion confirms that the Commission has strong concerns about the compatibility of the draft Greek legislation with EU law.EUROMAT President, Annette Kok, calls for a level playing field for all forms of gambling
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 – Speaking at the European Gambling Policy Conference held today in Brussels, EUROMAT President, Annette Kok, highlighted the need to achieve a level playing field for all forms gambling, regardless of the distribution method used.EUROMAT holds 2011 Annual General Meeting in Sofia and re-elects President and First Vice-President
Friday, 27 May 2011 – The European Gaming and Amusement Federation, EUROMAT, gathered in Sofia today on the occasion of its Annual General Meeting.Dutch Lift Online Gambling Ban
Netherlands government is liberalising online gaming. The Netherlands is the newest European market to recognise the value of a regulated online gambling industry. The government recently approved a plan to regulate and licence gaming companies including online lottery, sports betting, poker and bingo.Panel: Legal Internet gaming would boost casino business
Panelists addressing an Internet gambling conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday said online casinos would enhance business at brick-and-mortar properties instead of cannibalizing them.Online Casinos: Licensed = Always a Safe Bet
The founders and owners of three of the largest web-based online gambling sites in the US were indicted and charged with bank fraud, illegal gambling offenses and money laundering in the US last month slamming the brakes on online gambling in the United States.Poker websites’ actions were risky, experts say
Like doing drugs in front of the cops, poker websites were brazen in using U.S. institutions to conduct business the federal government had declared illegal.All Slots Casino Launches iPad Giveaway on Twitter
All Slots Casino Reaches Out to Twitter Followers With an Exclusive iPad GiveawayOnline Gambling News from Hungary and Greece
Europe always produces mixed news in online gambling because different countries are heading in different directions. It was no different last week. Hungary's efforts in ushering a regulated online gambling regime were lauded, whereas in Greece the regulation was mired in difficulties.European Parliament, Strasbourg: EUROMAT calls for equitable treatment of all forms of gambling service distribution across the EU
Bulgarian gaming association (BTAMOGI) were present among the Members of EUROMAT, where its delegate also met the Euro deputies to discuss the focal points of the official topic, touching the issues of gaming regulation in Bulgaria.
8th edition the European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues was held in Vienna
it is important to underline the presence of the Eastern & Central European countries, which brought on the table comprehensive presentations on the events happening in countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary. They shared their achievements, support received from governmental institutions, and the intercommunication of the sector talking on the subject Responsible Gambling.
New Austrian gambling law
In the late evening of the 16th of June the new amendment of the Austrian gambling Law was adopted by the parliament.
ECJ delivers rulings on Dutch cases
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its rulings on two Dutch cases involving remote betting companies Ladbrokes and Befair today.
Casino Technology is launching their latest PROTM and 3D POWEREDTM video-slot series in London
Press release - PDF file /EN/ (47KB)
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GamblingCompliance Awarded World Lottery Association Membership.
February 9th 2010. (London): GamblingCompliance, the international regulatory information service, today announces that it has been approved as an associate member of the World Lottery Association (WLA), the global association for State lottery and gaming organisations.
8th edition the European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues remains the only conference in Europe focusing on the problem gambling, including prevention and research, recovery and treatment issues
It is important to underline the presence of the Eastern & Central European countries, which brought on the table comprehensive presentations on the events happening in countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary. They shared their achievements, support received from governmental institutions, and the intercommunication of the sector talking on the subject Responsible Gambling.
NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION - Internal Market Commissioner-designate, Michel Barnier, faces questions at European Parliament hearing
This and next week the European Parliament is holding hearings for Commissioner-designates which will make up the new college of commissioners under the second presidency of Jose Manuel Barroso.
Belgium Becomes Latest To Ignore EU Online Gambling Agreements
Many countries are making their own laws regarding online gambling and are ignoring European Union trade agreements in the process. The latest to do so is Belgium, where lawmakers have inked new laws in an effort to regulate online gambling in the country.
Croatia introduces new taxes on games of chance
Minister of Finance Ivan Suker has announced the introduction of new taxes on games of chance in Croatia. People with winnings larger than 5,499 Euros will have to pay a tax of 15 to 20 % on them. There will be a fee of 10 % of the value of lottery tickets that are sold.
Member News
“Last BEGE Expo was very important for us firstly, because we just started our collaboration with the new distributor in Bulgaria and the secondly is that we had presented our Poker Table here, in Bulgaria for the first time.
Russian gambling shutdown leads patrons to Bulgarian casinos
Bulgaria is planning on increasing their casino revenues with Russian gamblers seeking relief from the upcoming gambling ban. Eastern European casinos are expecting a jolt in business after the nationwide stoppage in gambling takes place in Russia on July 1st.
Russian new gambling zones need billions for development
The four designated legal gambling zones are in Russian western Kaliningrad exclave; along the Azov Sea in the south; in the Altai region of Siberia; and in the far eastern Primorye region, near North Korea and Japan. But the gaming industry has been reluctant to move there, given the regions' undeveloped infrastructure and difficulty of attracting customers to the far-flung locations.
EU must respect rules of internal market
The Remote Gambling Association stressed its commitment to social responsibility and expressed the need for action to be taken to ensure that licensing and regulatory arrangements within the EU respect the rules of the internal market and provide a level playing field for all operators, irrespective of whether they are in the private or public sectors.
President signed law on banning gambling business in Ukraine
President Viktor Yushchenko signed a law that bans gambling business in Ukraine . The law should be in effect until a special legislation is adopted providing for a right to organize and carry out gaming in specially assigned gambling zones.
Russia unlikely to create Las Vegas’ style gambling zones
Poor infrastructure is being cited as the biggest barrier to Russia creating its own "Las Vegas" in special gaming zones, a spokesman for one of Moscow's largest casino chains said this week.
Study provides further insight into British gambling behaviour
The researchers conducted in-depth follow-up interviews with 43 participants last summer from the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007.
Delegation of EUROMAT took part in Prague for the Czech Presidency of the EU Council conference
Representatives of the European gambling industry met in Prague this week for the Czech Presidency of the EU Council conference “Gambling in the Internal Market: balancing the governments’ and stakeholders’ interests”.
Prognosis for the year 2020, income from tourism to be 9000 million euro Announced at the Fifth World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, where BTAMOGI suggested an alternative Bulgaria to become a year–round destination.
The Fifth World Meeting of Bulgaria Media, following Sofia, Chicago, Rome and Madrid was organized by BTA /Bulgarian News Agency/ 16- 22 May, 2009 with the focus on the tourism sector. This year forum attracted representatives from 22 countries to Varna and Bourgas in the Black Sea region
The Dutch government faces a battle with Betfair
The Dutch government faces a court battle with UK betting firm Betfair, denying the government’s is protectionist and seeking to shut down foreign online gaming operators. Dutch banks were requested by the ministry to block the payment of bets made over the internet as Dutch laws did not allow for the licensing of internet gambling companies, it was “inappropriate for banks to provide facilities to the providers of illegal games of chance”.
Russia’s position where gambling establishments to cease operating on June 30, 2009
Russian President Dimitry Medvedev has given very clear notification to the Federal Tax Service chief, Mikhail Hokretsov that he would not tolerate any delays in moving all gambling to the special regional zones within two months, despite lobbying by casino owners and investors.
Liberalization of EU online gambling markets
EU Member States France and Denmark have both taken recent actions towards the opening up of their online gambling markets. Actions have required the involvement of the European Commission at different stages: through infringement investigations sparked off by the protectionist behavior of the state gambling monopolies and further investigations into the draft reforms of the national gambling markets.
Ukraine moves to restrict gambling business
A Bans on operation of gambling business in Ukraine, initiated by the Regions Party MP Hryhoriy Smitiukh and BYT MP Valeriy Pysarenko, was supported by 340 out of the 442 MPs eligible to vote
IAGA/IAGR International Gaming Conference 2009 October 19-23
Mark your calendars for the 2009 conference October 19-23 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For further details, please visit the official site of IAGA /International Association of Gaming Advisors/