7 11 November 2008

News:

The UK's Conservative Party is considering adopting a policy that would see it ban the use of credit cards for online gambling, if it wins the next general election.

The European Parliament will consider whether to recommend that the European Commission draw up legislation on a mandatory or voluntary code of conduct for online gambling operators on 21 January. The code could contain recommendations on minimum age requirements and player spending caps.

South Africa's Treasury released its Draft Interactive Gambling Tax Bill for public comment on 13 November, which sets a tax rate of 6% of Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) on operators with online gambling sites in South Africa.

Features:

The fact that the Conservative Party is considering a plan that would ban the use of credit cards for online gambling illustrates the influence that the 'moral panic' that unjustly surrounds online gambling can have.

The UK government has recently 'whitelisted' Antigua, which means that it is satisfied that its licensing and regulatory regime is compatible with the strict standards set by Great Britain's Gambling Act. Mark Mendel, a Partner with Mendel Blumenfeld LLP, examines Antigua's approach to the regulation of online gambling, the implications that the UK government's decision will have, and details the benefits enjoyed by remote gambling operators located on the island.

The Bush administration has finalised the regulations implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which will come into effect on 19 January, a day before the Obama administration takes office. Martin Owens, Attorney-at-Law, examines the regulations and the difficulties that they would create for operators and financial institutions, arguing that far from banning online gambling, they open the door for local and state adoption.

The Gambling Commission has launched an investigation into whether raffling a home on the internet constitutes an illegal lottery under the Gambling Act 2005, after a couple from Devon sold tickets online in a bid to sell their home. William Andrews and Graham Hann of Taylor Wessing LLP, examine the current guidance on prize competitions, the possible outcome of the investigation and the implications that this case could have for similar schemes.

TV broadcasters must consider a wide variety of different regulations on competitions, promotions and gambling when launching a new channel, especially if they are considering accepting adverts from online gambling companies. Nick White, a Solicitor at Couchman Harrington, examines some of the regulations that can apply when a TV channel that will use viewer competitions as a promotional tool, also plans to fund that channel through gambling advertisements.

The UK government's original aim when passing the Gambling Act was to liberalise gambling in Great Britain. Jason Chess, a Partner with Wiggin LLP, argues that over-severe regulation in the case of online gambling advertising is stifling innovation and highlights issues that may arise with the way in which the Gambling Act regulates SMS (text) betting.

Stanleybet International recently launched 'Fair Play for Sports Betting' on the fifth anniversary of the Gambelli judgment, in order to highlight that sports betting operators are still waiting for fair access to all European sports betting markets. Adrian Morris, Director of Fair Play for Sports Betting, explains the campaign's aims and objectives, as well as the reasons for its establishment.