ARMENIA

As the Russian Federation's casinos prepare to close rather than relocate to poorly executed and remote gaming zones, the republic of Armenia has also taken steps towards adopting gambling enclaves of its own. Source: Gambling Compliance

BRAZIL

Proposed legislation that seeks to end the prevailing uncertainty surrounding gambling in Brazil by licensing and regulating bingo halls and VLTs was approved by the members of a congressional committee last week - though the bill's wider prospects remain unclear. Source Gambling Compliance

BULGARIA

Bulgaria has joined the list of countries making a play for the attentions of Russia's gamblers and investors set to be displaced when the Government's crackdown on gambling in their home country comes into force next month, according to investment experts. Source: Gambling Compliance

DENMARK

With sporting organisations increasingly recognising the role of betting providers as a front-line in the fight against corruption in sports, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has introduced a European Lotteries Monitoring System headed by Denmark's Danske Spil, in an effort to prevent football matches from being manipulated by criminals.

Source: Gaming Intelligence Group

FRANCE

Following the notification of the French draft law for the liberalisation of online gambling, the opinion released by the European Commission requires the French government to clarify and modify a number of points regarding the potential regulator and the implications for remote operators. The standstill period for the draft has been extended to 8 July 2009. If the French government adopts the text without making the proper changes, the European Commission can launch infringement proceedings. Source: Euromat

FRANCE

France's Budget Minister Eric Woerth conceded yesterday that the European Commission has asked for the clarification and modification of several points in France's new draft online gambling law. While the exact terms of the request remain unknown, and may not be revealed, Europe's online industry has broadly welcomed the development. Source: Gambling Compliance

GERMANY

Six months after the implementation of the State Treaty on Gaming in Germany, nothing highlights the continuing confusion surrounding the legality of online gaming in the country more so than the recently announced title sponsorship of the ATP Bet-at-home.com Tennis Open in Hamburg. Source: Gaming Intelligence Group

GIBRALTAR

As a result of European scrutiny over the past five years Gibraltar is now close to finally dismantling the Exempt Company Regime which has allowed online gambling firms to enjoy zero corporate taxation, but operators domiciled there are hoping there may be last minute concessions to soften the blow.

Source: Gambling Compliance

GREECE

By not repealing a law banning all types of slot machines, Greece has drawn upon itself a fine of over €3 million from the European Court of Justice (ECJ), in addition to a further sanction of €31,536 for each day the law remains unchanged. The law against electronic gambling machines outside of licensed casinos was passed in 2002, and a new draft law may also be considered to be in breach of EU law.

Source: Euromat

ITALY

The European Commission is examining the contract for the Italian scratchcard market, which is due to expire next year. Unless the current contract contains clauses allowing for an automatic renewal, the European Commission will require an EU-wide tender to be offered, in order to encourage competition between all potential licence-holders. Source: Euromat

IRELAND

It is expected that the government will introduce legislation to regulate both land based and on-line casino operations following the recent publication of the Casino Regulation Committee's report which recommends a modernisation of the gaming landscape in Ireland. The contents of the new legislation are set to be intensely debated, and the issue of whether fixed odds betting terminals should be allowed in betting shops is arguably the most heated.

Source: Gambling Compliance

ITALY

A draft version of the regulations that will govern VLTs in Italy has now been published, giving details of the location and pricing of the new machines, and the timing of their introduction into the market. Source: Gambling Compliance

THE NETHERLANDS

Betfair's decision to bring the Dutch government to court due to its attempt to introduce an online payment ban has drawn the attention of EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy. The European Commission will be investigating the actions of the Dutch government. Commissioner McCreevy said: "We announced last year that at least 10 member states were in contravention of internal market rules on gambling. There has been no progress at all."

Source Euromat

NORWAY

New legislation requiring payment providers to block payments to online gaming operators will reinforce the state monopoly over gambling in Norway.  The state's restrictive licensing regime has been the subject of numerous EFTA court challenges as EU-based gaming operators contend it contravenes Norway's obligation under the EEA Agreement. Source: Gambling Compliance

SPAIN

The slot machine market in Spain continues to suffer as the country has fallen further into the recessionary mire, according to the first-quarter figures Spanish-based operator Cirsa.

Source: Gambling Compliance

UKRAINE

Ukraine's prime minister has signaled her intention to seek parliamentary enforcement of measures to withdraw existing gambling licences and force casinos and slot machine parlours to be exiled to remote parts of the country. Source: Gambling Compliance

UKRAINE

Ukraine's president has dramatically backed down in a dispute with the country's parliament and signed papers introducing a gambling ban across the country. Source Gambling Compliance

UNITED KINGDOM

UK pub gaming machine provider Sceptre Leisure has raised £5.5m through a placing with a new investor in order to fund expansion and strengthen its balance sheet - but the company has refused to disclose the identity of the new backer.

Source: Gambling Compliance

UNITED KINGDOM

A new body that will be responsible for raising the money to fund UK research and treatment of problem gambling says it expects to publish an annual ‘red list' of gaming operators and other organisations that have contributed in an attempt to shame companies that have failed pitch in any cash. Source: Gambling Compliance

UNITED KINGDOM

A high profile expert panel will report to the UK Government within six months on ways to spot suspicious betting patterns and ensure integrity in sports gambling. Source Gambling Compliance

UNITED STATES

The U.S 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has set a date of July 7th to hear oral arguments from lawyers representing the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) and the U.S Department of Justice, as part of a court challenge by iMEGA against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Source: Gaming Intelligence

UNITED STATES

In order to address public health issues surrounding problem gambling which have been consistently overlooked by the U.S federal government, legislation was introduced last week that would for the first time devote federal resources to the research and treatment of problem gambling in the United States. Source: Gaming Intelligence Group

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