(Source - Euromat)

The mayors of Prague's various districts, including Cernochová, have decided to regulate the herna (gaming) bars in their districts.  

Cernochová's strategy for reducing the number of hernas in its district hinges on the argument that the bars should not be allowed in the vicinity of schools. There are currently 98 establishments in Prague 2 that feature gambling. The Prague 2 mayor has submitted a proposal to City Hall seeking to shutter 19 and remove slot machines from nine others. Prague 2 estimates the district will lose CK15 million ($950,000) if the proposed 19 bars are closed, but the trade-off for a more tourist-friendly environment and the effect on real estate prices would recoup the loss.

(Source: The Prague Post)

France

The government says it will sell a stake in lottery company Francaises des Jeux, which is 72 percent owned-by the state. The government has not indicated how large a stake it will sell nor to whom it shall sell it. In recent weeks the government has said it wants to sell some of the state's shareholdings in order to raise money for various initiatives. Francaises des Jeux has a monopoly on numbers games in France. The remaining 28 percent of the company that is not owned by the government is held by employees and charities.

France's Budget Minister presented plans for a reform of France's online gambling market to government colleagues last month. The proposals are a first step towards the drafting of a new law in the Autumn, but professional sports leagues and private betting operators are both expressing concerns that the government is ducking the thorny issue of betting rights.

 (Source Gambling Compliance.com)

Germany

In Germany lax enforcement of the online gambling prohibition has led to consumer unawareness of the ban as well as to difficult and unclear legal situations. Consumers are left helpless if foreign operators decide not to pay out winnings due to violations of non-transparent terms and conditions of the operator.

(Source - Euromat)

Greece

On Thursday 8 May, the European Parliament adopted an Initiative report by Manolis Mavrommatis (EPP-ED, Greece) by a large majority (518 for, 49 against with 9 abstentions) on the Commissions White Paper on Sport. MEPs welcomed the adoption of the White Paper on Sport, presented by Commissioner Jan Figel last summer, but raised concern at possible deregulation of the gambling market. The Commission's original policy document made little mention of gambling, but last week MEPs added several points in relation to gambling, notably on the role of state lotteries in the funding of amateur sport.

(Source - Euromat)

In Greece the betting monopoly OPAP's planned amendments to their charter were not approved by shareholders. OPAP will hold an additional shareholders meeting on 25 June which is expected to bring the quorum necessary for the changes to be approved so as to allow OPAP to compete should the Greek gaming market be opened following increased EU pressure. (Source Euromat)

Italy

Pursuing its objective of making the public aware of responsible playing/gaming, Italian trade body SAPAR has adopted a Code of Ethics concerning "Paragraph 6" machines. SAPAR chairman Paolo Dalla Pria explains, "The Code of Ethics we have approved and adopted does not only regard association life, but also - and above all - the necessary behaviour of member companies in the course of their activity. As entrepreneurs, we must commit ourselves even more than we have so far, so that gaming via New Slot machines is carried out in a correct transparent manner, in absolute respect of the law and safeguarding players in all aspects. Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics will lead to SAPAR members being expelled from the association."

By the end of August 2008, Italy will, as a result of an amended decree, open a new bid-process for the 329 betting shop licences that were, according to the EU, extended unfairly in 1999. The announcement by the Italian government that it was to re-launch the bidding process was both inevitable and unavoidable given the decision of the ECJ on 13 September 2007, which clearly ruled that the move, in 1999, to grant extensions to the 329 existing licences was illegal.

(Source - Euromat)

Malta

The gaming arcades mushrooming around the island are exploiting a legal limbo, according to The Times of Malta, which reports that no authority is responsible for issuing them with a trading licence.

There are about 10,000 gaming machines that previously were located in clubs but are now resurfacing within the confines of arcades. Mario Galea, Lotteries and Gaming Authority chief executive, said that, as a result, such machines had now become more visible. The legality of the machines was in doubt and Mr Galea said that, while some paid the licence for amusement machines, in reality the authority "did not know the situation of most of these machines" since there was never a proper standard that defined them.

The Netherlands

Holland's Supreme Court has referred the long-running legal dispute between Ladbrokes and De Lotto to the European Court of Justice. While Ladbrokes welcomed the development in a case which stretches back six years, the referral means the number of cross-border gambling cases awaiting attention from Europe's highest court continues to grow.

(Source Gambling Compliance.com)

Norway

Norway's Ministry of Culture and Churches has introduced a more restrictive national policy on video gambling machines in an attempt to reduce and prevent problem gambling. Norsk Tipping, the state's exclusive lottery operator, will introduce new machines designed to achieve the policy's goals in September. The machines will only accept one method of payment-prepaid cards sold by Norsk Tipping. Players will not be able to bet more than 50 kroner ($10) per game, or to lose more than 400 kroner ($80) in one day and 2,200 kroner ($440) in one month. The machines will also force a player to cool off for ten minutes after every hour of continuous play.

Portugal

During the ECJ public hearing on 29 April in Luxembourg the Portugese Football League/Bwin and the Portugese monopoly lottery and betting operator Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, together with EU-Member States, commented on the raised issue. There was general agreement on the point that EU Member States must apply their policies restricting gambling in an consistent manner. All participants, with the exception of Bwin, were resolute that the critical "consistency requirement" must not be applied across sub-sectors of the gambling industry. Advocate General Yves Bot said that he would issue his lead opinion on the case on 9 September 2008. A final ECJ ruling is likely to follow several months later.

(Source - Euromat)

Spain

In Spain, representatives of all gambling subsectors met for the XIII Annual COFAR Congress held in Valencia. Excessive taxation on gambling activities and the future introduction of online gambling regulations by the central government were among key issues debated. A final round table discussion, featuring five gambling regulators from the autonomous communities of Navarra, Valencia, Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid, showed the positive and co-operative relationship between industry and regional authorities in Spain. Keynote speaker at the Congress was Prof. David Hernández from College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas.

 (Source - Euromat)

Sweden

In Sweden, the Market Court (Marknadsdomstolen) rejected Svenska Spel's case against Ladbrokes, which was brought in an effort to stop Ladbrokes advertising campaign. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes filed law suits against Svenksa Spel's advertisements and its practice of labelling the efforts of foreign bookmakers as "illegal".

(Source - Euromat)

United Kingdom

The Government has asked the Gambling Commission to undertake a review of the current voluntary arrangements for industry funding of gambling research, public education and treatment and to report on this. This report will include comment on funding levels, how priorities are determined and the money spent, and whether a statutory levy should be considered. Bacta will be fighting hard to maintain the voluntary system for this and will seek support from other associations and work closely with RIGT. (Source: BACTA)

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