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The gaming industry in Italy has seen profits soar over the last 5-6 years, with the introduction of new regulations aimed at expanding betting opportunities for Italian gamblers. With more than €8bn generated in tax revenues every year from a total gaming turnover of nearly €50bn, it is little surprise that the government is becoming increasingly reliant on this sector to provide money for otherwise depleted state coffers.
Further to the tremendous success achieved by the introduction of State-monitored street-AWPs and a pioneering licensing regime for online operators, Video Lottery Terminals are the latest category of products to emerge as an opportunity in the Italian market. Alas, not without a healthy deal of Italian drama.
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On December 3rd, 2009 the Lower Chamber of the Belgian Parliament adopted the New Belgian Gaming Legislation (hereinafter referred to as the “Gaming Law”). The Gaming Law has been passed without any substantial amendments , notwithstanding the EU Commission’s objections with regard to some of the core provisions of the Gaming Law. The Gaming Law has been published in the Belgian Official Gazette on February 1st, 2010: it should enter into force by January 1st, 2011 at the latest, even though Implementing Regulations (Royal Decrees of Execution) may provide for some provisions to enter into force earlier. This article will briefly discuss the Gaming Law’s main features and will draw some conclusions as regards its application to new entrants on the Belgian online gambling market.
On March 4th, 2010, the Bruges Commercial Court delivered a ruling (not yet made available publicly) in Belgian State v. Club Brugge, Unibet and the Belgian Football Association whereby it held that advertising for games of chance is legal under Belgian law on the grounds of a narrow interpretation of the Belgian Gaming Legislation. Our understanding is that the Belgian Gaming Legislation’s narrow construction by the ruling is consistent with sound principles under Belgian law, under the reasoning mentioned below.
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by Roman Zykov
Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd
30 June 2009 was the last day for the gambling industry and its present format in Russia. As of 1 July 2009, many gambling establishments are supposed to continue their business only in special zones designated by the government, of which there are currently four.
30 June 2009 was the last day for the gambling industry and its present format in Russia. As of 1 July 2009, many gambling establishments are supposed to continue their business only in special zones designated by the government, of which there are currently four.
Various business groups tried to lobby to extend the term for moving the gambling business to the special zones set out by the Games of Chance Law[1] (‘Law’). In defense to the deadline extension it was argued that by moving the deadline the government could safeguard the fiscal revenues out of the gambling tax, which amounted to the total BRUB 26,4 in 2008 and BRUB 31,5 in 2007. Only the Moscow state budget received BRUB 6 in 2008 and BRUB 6,5 in 2007! Nevertheless, this argument did not fly. In the beginning of May, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that the terms are not subject to change. It is evident that the Law will make the gaming business search for alternative methods of conducting gambling business. One of … Continue Reading
