regulation – Page 8

November 27, 2023

Brazil’s upcoming vote: Everything you need to know

Brazil's Senate plenary could vote to legalise sports betting and online casino on Wednesday (29 November). Ahead of the vote, we bring you all you need to know about the journey so far.

Before we delve into the complex legal history of sports betting in Brazil, let’s start off with last week’s key step.

Last Tuesday (21 November), the industry was waiting eagerly for Brazil’s Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) to vote on whether to greenlight sports betting and igaming through Bill 3,626/2023. This was delayed by one day on the request of senators, according to Senado Noticias.

The bill will now head to the Senate Plenary this Wednesday (29 November)

The CAE’s eventual approval on Wednesday 22 November gave the thumbs-up for the bill to move to the Senate plenary. This session will now take place this Wednesday (29 November). If the plenary vote goes in the bill’s favour, sports betting and igaming will officially be legal in Brazil.

Importantly, the outcome at the CAE confirm..

November 20, 2023

GC’s Andrew Rhodes walks the tightrope on affordability checks

Fifty-year UK industry veteran, David Brown, evaluates the tightrope being walked by the Gambling Commission on affordability checks.

During the “largest ever gathering of industry leaders” on 10 November, Andrew Rhodes, the Gambling Commission’s (GC) chief executive, attempted to walk the tightrope on affordability checks.

The story of affordability checks has created the most united front between punter, racing media and bookmaker that the UK has seen.

To his credit, we can certainly say that Rhodes has arguably done more to bring the industry together than anyone ever before.

However, that united front is now against him and the Gambling Commission, especially following his speech on 8 November.

The challenge that the GC now faces is the need to balance player protection while keeping the industry sustainable.

The speech: what went wrong

Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has a tightrope to walk WITH AFFORDABILITY CHECKS

The GC has a precarious tightrope to walk. Howev..

November 13, 2023

Kenya Gambling Control Bill 2023 proposes new regulator and sweeping reform

Kenya has introduce a Gambling Control Bill in an effort to establish a new Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The Gambling Control Bill 2023, currently before parliament, establishes a new Gambling Regulatory Authority. Once approved, it will replace the current Betting, Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).

KENyA GAMBLING CONTROL BILL 2023 TO INTRODUCE NEW AUTHORITY

Incorporating the board’s present mandate, the new Authority will also be responsible for both licensing and regulation.

“The bill seeks to regulate betting, casinos and other forms of gambling, including the authorisation of prize competitions, public lotteries and media promotions,” the bill states.

The state-backed Gambling Control Bill is sponsored by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Cracking down on unlicensed and underage gambling

The newly-introduced Gambling Control Bill is designed to greatly enhance the board’s original mandate.

This follows previous statements in 2022 that the majorit..

November 10, 2023

Affordability checks: GC chief dismisses black market fears

GC chief executive Andrew Rhodes again dismissed arguments that “intrusive” affordability checks would drive customers towards the black market.

In a bid to quell the gathering storm around affordability checks, Andrew Rhodes, the Gambling Commission’s (GC) chief executive, addressed the largest-ever gathering of industry leaders on the 10 November.

Amid conflicts with stakeholders across the UK betting landscape, Rhodes looked to outline the challenges the industry faces with the implementation of the government’s Gambling Act Review white paper.

Affordability polarisation

Acknowledging the increasing polarisation within the industry, Rhodes looked to re-iterate the Commission’s impartiality as an independent regulator.

“We have clear statutory objectives and responsibilities. We don’t have a commercial interest in what happens, but that doesn’t mean we ignore commercial realities,” he said.

“The debate on gambling has been exceptionally hard to engage in during the past year. ..

November 3, 2023

Jockey Club CEO launches petition against affordability checks

Nevin Truesdale, CEO of The Jockey Club’s is rallying opposition against the proposed implementation of financial risk checks on online gamblers in the UK through an online petition.

The petition, entitled “Stop the implementation of betting affordability/financial risk checks”, went live on Wednesday. By 5pm UK time on Friday, the petition had received more than 43,500 signatures.

When a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it is considered for a parliamentary debate.

The petition underlines belief “in the freedom of the individual to choose how to spend their money”, Truesdale stated.

Financial risk checks were one of the many terms put forward in the Gambling Act review white paper. The Gambling Commission concluded a public consultation last month after receiving over 2,000 responses.

Media misinformation claims

However, the subject has proven to be highly controversial.

In a recent speech, Commission chief Andrew Rhodes hit back at what he called “misinformation” in the me..

October 17, 2023

Italian footballer suspended for seven months amid illegal betting scandal

The Italian Federal Prosecutor's Office has handed Juventus footballer Nicolò Fagioli a seven-month suspension for betting on football events.

Reports about Fagioli emerged last week, claiming he placed bets with an unlicensed gambling site. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) rules state athletes found betting on the sport can face bans of up to three years.

Two more Italian national team players, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa player Nicolo Zaniolo were later revealed to be under investigation and withdrawn from selection.

According to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Fagioli has reached an agreement with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. This is in line with article 126 of the CGS, which allows the subject of an investigation to apply for a reduced sanction. Fagioli will also be fined €12,500 (£10,849/$13,239)

Further reports today (17 October) say that Guiseppe Riso, Tonali’s agent, confirmed that he had a gambling addiction. Henry Winter, chief fo..

October 11, 2023

Sportradar and Genius slapped with patent suit

Panda Interactive has filed two separate lawsuits in the Texas Eastern District Court accusing Genius Sports and Sportradar of patent infringement.

The suits claim Sportradar and Genius, which are both Panda competitors, implemented the company’s video streaming technology patents without authorisation.

Panda said it had developed several patents in the live data and content streaming verticals. These include technology that allows viewers to see live odds and place a bet while watching sports.

The company say competitors have “widely copied” its patents in the streaming market generally, and even more so in the online sports betting market.

“We have made substantial investments in the development of our technology and cannot tolerate having our patented technology used unfairly by others and against us,” said Panda chairman Donald Schupak.

“No one wants to see their own arsenal used against them in battle.”

Sportradar and Genius accused of patent infringement

The filings also..

September 27, 2023

Waterhouse VC: Ordem e progresso

In his latest column, Tom Waterhouse of Waterhouse VC analyses the burgeoning sports betting market in Brazil after the country's recent regulation.

“Order and Progress”– The national motto of Brazil, inscribed on the Brazilian flag.

The motto is an allegory for Brazil’s new reforms to regulate the country’s US$1.5bn (£1.23bn/€1.41bn) wagering industry.

With 214 million people and 217 indigenous languages in addition to Portuguese, Brazil is a large and complex market. It is also one of the largest online sports betting markets in the world, with 42.5 million unique users. Wagering operators are generating significant revenues in Brazil by leveraging influencer marketing and numerous sports sponsorship deals.

Brazil’s historic and forecasted wagering revenue across online casino, online lottery and online sports betting. Source: Statista

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies recently passed a gambling regulation act. This act allows online gaming and omnichannel wagering, with operato..

September 18, 2023

EGBA urges Norway to drop online gambling monopoly

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has urged lawmakers in Norway to switch from its current monopoly system to a licensing model for online gambling.

Norway remains one of the last European countries with a state gambling monopoly. Lottery Norsk Tipping has the rights to online casino gaming and sports betting, while Norsk Rikstoto covers horse racing.

However, EGBA says Norway should follow the example of other European markets such as neighbouring Sweden and Finland and make the move to a licensing system. EGBA secretary-general Maarten Haijer said this would help combat issues such as consumers gambling with unlicensed sites.

“The belief that a monopoly model is essential for safer gambling does not align with the current European trend,” Haijer said. “Nearly every other European country has implemented some form of licensing system, successfully prioritising player safety within a regulatory framework that provides clear rules for companies to follow.

“In Norw..

September 14, 2023

Sweden gambling regulator nets funding boost

Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, is set for a funding boost to ensure it meets Europe-wide commitments to counter match-fixing.

The government plans to increase Spelinspektionen’s (SGA) budget over the next three years. It is to receive SEK10.8m ($970K/€900K/£780K) in increased funding in 2024. It will then receive SEK15.6m in 2025 and SEK18.6m in 2026.

The grant will ensure Sweden meets the requirements of the Macolin Convention of the Council of Europe regarding the manipulation of results in sports, the government said.

The increased budget will also assist the body in restricting illegal gambling, with plans unveiled to work more closely with the Finansinspektionen financial supervisory authority.

The government intends to propose an increase in Finansinspektionen’s allocation by SEK4.5m starting in 2024. This cash will strengthen the authority’s cooperation with SGA in order to block payments to illegal gambling operations.

The proposals are based on an agreeme..

September 14, 2023

Brazil lower house approves gambling bill

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved the government’s gambling bill, which regulates both sports betting and online casino.

The passage of the bill marks one of the final hurdles in the long journey to regulate online gambling in Brazil, the 10th largest economy in the world.

Bill 3,626/23 – which will replace the provisional measure (PM) president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued in July – was amended several times from the original bill that the rapporteur, deputy Adolfo Viana, presented yesterday.

However, the bill still legalises online casino in addition to sports betting. Betting on fantasy sports will remain illegal due to a specific exemption from the new rules.

deputy adolfo viana presents amended bill

The bill will now head to the Federal Senate, which has 45 days to comment on the bill.

Foreign operators barred from licensing

Unlike the PM, the proposed law excludes foreign companies from offering regulated gambling. Only businesses incorporated under Brazilian ..

September 13, 2023

Online casino included in imminent Brazil gambling regs

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is set to vote today on the latest set of sports betting regulations, which leaves in place the high tax regime put in place by the provisional measure (PM), but includes the legislation of online casino.

Bill No 3626/23 amends PM No 1,182 issued by Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in July. If passed, the law would keep in place the high tax regime brought in by the PM. This will maintain the original 18% tax on gross gambling revenue.

However, commentators previously pointed out that once additional mandatory contributions are accounted for the effective tax rate will run between 31% and 34%.

On top of this, the law will impose a 30% tax on prizes won over R$2,112 (£342/€398/$427).

the bill keeps in place the high tax regime imposed in lula’s provisional measure

The maintenance of the high tax rates no doubt will be a blow to Brazil’s gaming industry. The sector largely responded negatively to the original PM, with many criticising the tax r..

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Tag: regulation