AUSTRIA

This week, the European Court of Justice examined gambling related cases featuring Austria and Sweden, in separate oral hearings. The Austrian case C-64/08 was referred to the ECJ by the court in Linz that required clarification on the country’s gambling licencing regimes, and whether or not they contravene European Union law. The Swedish cases C-447/08 and C-448/08 refer to discrimination on grounds of nationality in gambling and lottery services. The content of the hearings has not yet been made public but when it is the Secretariat will inform you of the proceedings. Source: Euromat

BULGARIA

Bulgaria’s Finance Ministry has published proposed amendments to the country’s Gambling Act, which would once again lower taxes on gambling operators. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

CANADA

Quebec’s finance minister insists Loto-Quebec should be allowed to participate in a pan-Canadian online poker offering, despite criticism from local health officials, who are calling for a review of the plans. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

CROATIA

Contemplating EU accession and declining state revenues, Croatia has introduced a new gaming law together with a new tax regime, which the government believes will help close the gap in public finances and ensure compliance under EU law. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

ESTONIA

While Estonia’s first online gambling licence has been awarded this year, terrestrial developments have seen further guidance published on the registration of gaming machines. Estonia’s first online casino and poker room opened its doors last month after taking advantage of new online gaming regulations introduced at the start of the year.

Source: GamblingCompliance.com

FINLAND

The Åland Islands have said they would consider licensing foreign operators to provide online gambling to the Finnish mainland, should the new State Lotteries Act not make provision for the autonomous region’s own monopoly PAF.

Source: GamblingCompliance.com

GERMANY

At the European Court of Justice this week, Advocate General Bot delivered his opinion on case (C-409/06), involving Germany. He declared that EU law takes precedent over national legislation, then further confirmed that the primacy of EU legislation over national law was without exception and did not allow a transitional period for nations to start following the EU law. This implies that the EU countries have to immediately stop applying national gaming legislation where it is inconsistent with EU law. Mr Bot then went on to state that there are no legal arguments to allow for an exception to the direct application of the Treaty to the gaming and betting sector.

Source: Euromat

GERMANY

German state lottery operator Lotto Hessen has reported a 6% fall in turnover for 2009, attributing the decline to the impact of the State Treaty on Gaming which has resulted in the loss of lucrative online sales agents such as Tipp24.com.

 Source: GamingIntelligence.com

GREECE

In the European Parliament this week, the Petitions Committee has urged the European Commission to act faster in its investigation of the Greek legislation which forbids betting operators legally established in other Member States from setting up their services in Greece. MEP Simon Busuttil (EPP, Malta) said it was “a clear case of breach of EU law. What are we waiting for? Why is the Commission not doing anything?” MEP Roger Helmer MEP (ECR, UK) claimed that the “inaction... is to protect a company listed in the Athens Stock Exchange... Let us get on and do it. Justice delayed is justice denied.” Source: Euromat

ICELAND

Iceland’s minister of health has blasted the dangers of gambling addiction ahead of today’s government deadline for feedback on proposals for the country’s first casino. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

IRELAND

The Irish online sports betting market has been valued by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers at €797m, a figure significantly lower than the one quoted by Horse Racing Ireland in its campaign to fund the sport through a tax on bets struck in Ireland with online operators. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

ITALY

Italy’s Supreme Criminal Court (Cassazione) has adjourned all existing legal action concerning the 2006 Bersani sports betting licences and has referred the situation to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for clarification. Some of the disputes involving Italy’s betting market have been ongoing for more than 10 years and the decision to refer the case to the ECJ has been welcomed by many betting operators. Source: Euromat

ITALY

Italy’s gaming authority AAMS confirmed that the sector continued its recent trend of double-digit growth in January, although some products appeared to fare far better than others. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

NORWAY

Norway is set to become the first European country to implement controversial legislation requiring banks to block payments to unlicensed gaming operators. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

POLAND

After scrutinising the content of Poland’s new gaming laws, the European Commission has sent a second letter to the Polish Ministry of Finance outlining their concerns that certain sections relating to technical standards ought first to have been referred to the Commission for approval. Following a corruption scandal, new gambling legislation has come into effect this year. However, while the long-term validity of the legislation is being questioned, Poland’s government is pushing ahead with reforms. A draft law addressing online gambling among other topics is currently receiving much public attention. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

SPAIN

Catalan authorities are to schedule meetings with online gaming companies to hammer out new rules that will regulate remote gaming inside Spain’s most prosperous region. Source: GamblingCompliance.com

UNITED KINGDOM

British commercial television broadcaster ITV has announced a new broadcast and online partnership for 2010 with UK bookmaker William Hill, under which viewers of sport on ITV and online at ITV.com will be able to benefit from exclusive sports betting offers, including in-play betting through a bespoke promotional site. Source: GamingIntelligence.com

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