AUSTRALIA

In a draft report on gambling released today by the Australian government's independent research and advisory body, the Productivity Commission, findings show that the country's ban on online gaming is not working, calling instead on the government to initiate a managed liberalisation of online gambling with tight regulation of licensed sites to ensure integrity and consumer protection. Source: Gaming Intelligence

AUSTRIA

The European Commission has decided to close an infringement case against Austria concerning the free movement of services and restrictions placed on advertising by foreign companies. The action was initiated in response to Austrian legislation on games of chance, which prohibited the advertising of casinos by foreign operators, while national operators were able to advertise freely. Following an official letter sent by the Commission, Austria amended the rules, which will now allow for foreign operators belonging to the EU or EEA to advertise their services, provided they comply with the same standards of consumer protection as Austrian gaming providers. Source: Euromat

BULGARIA

A former Bulgarian prime minister and leader of one of the major parties has called for a total ban on gambling in the country. Source: Gambling Compliance

CZECH REPUBLIC

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has increased the pressure on Czech President Václav Klaus to sign the Lisbon Treaty by warning him that if he fails to do so, the Czech Republic could lose its Commissioner and advancement for the EU27 would be blocked. The Czech Republic is the only nation yet to ratify the treaty as President Klaus is seeking extra guarantees for his country, such as an opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as was conceded to Britain and Poland during negotiations two years ago. Source: Euromat

FRANCE

The Remote Gambling Association has expressed its belief that the French Gambling Bill in its current form will fail to achieve any of its stated objectives. "The proposed regulatory and taxation regime will be wholly unattractive and in most cases completely unviable for private sector online gambling companies," says a spokesman for the trade body.

GERMANY

The new coalition government in the state of Schleswig-Holstein has pledged to abolish Germany's Interstate Gambling Treaty in a move that experts believe will likely accelerate a wider review of German gambling policy over the next 12 months. Source: Gambling Compliance

IRELAND

The Lisbon Treaty has been approved in Ireland by a margin of two to one, with the final result revealing 67.1% voting in favour of the treaty, with 32.9% voting against. This is the second time the Irish have gone to the polls after returning a ‘no' vote in June 2008, and the more positive result this time around comes after EU leaders guaranteed a number of key concessions. All eyes are now on the Czech President Václav Klaus, who has still to sign the treaty into law, but intends to wait for the outcome of the constitutional complaint filed against the treaty by 17 Czech senators at the end of September. Final ratification is also awaited in Poland, but is expected to be approved following the positive result in Ireland. Source: Euromat

ITALY

A proposal by tourism minister Michela Brambilla to open up the top end of the casino sector in Italy has quickly amassed support from a number of groups in the country, at a time when the government appears keener than ever to liberalise elements of the gaming market as a means of boosting tax revenues. Source: Gambling Compliance

SLOVENIA

Slovenia has lifted the veto on Croatia's accession negotiations with the European Union, following a border dispute between the two former Yugoslav Republics. The Slovenian Parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday in favour of removing the veto, following discussions between the two prime ministers in which it was decided that the current strained relations should not be the obstacle to Croatia joining the EU. Croatia has been a candidate country for membership since 2004 and now that the latest hurdle is out the way, it is possible that it could join the EU-27 in 2011. Source: Euromat

SPAIN

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) this week ruled against Spain, in a case concerning certain Spanish companies offering lottery, games of chance and betting services and being declared exempt from paying tax. However, foreign operators providing similar services were obliged to pay the tax and as a result the ECJ ruled that Spain was failing to fulfil its obligations under Community law by not respecting the freedom to provide services, and was discriminating on the grounds of nationality. Source: Euromat

UNITED KINGDOM

In a formal response to the UK government's consultation on proposals to replace the existing taxation regime for gaming machines with a gross profits tax, Rank Group plc has urged HM Treasury not to further increase the tax burden of what the company states is already "the most heavily taxed gaming sector in Britain". Source: Gaming Intelligence

UNITED KINGDOM

Bingo and casino operator Rank has attacked the UK government's proposals to move to a gross profits tax (GPT) regime for gaming machines as representing a "further unwelcome burden" for an industry which is already struggling with other unwelcome tax increases. Source: Gambling Compliance

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