Regulation round-up 7 November 2017
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (1 November to 7 November 2017)
UK government pledges stronger online gambling protections
DCMS introduces new responsible gambling obligations and light advertising restrictions following triennial review
The UK government has unveiled proposals to strengthen protections around online gambling for “vulnerable people and children” as part of its long-awaited triennial review findings, focused primarily on fixed odds betting terminals.
Minister for gambling Tracy Crouch announced the Gambling Commission will consult on changes to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) next year, with the aim of raising standards on player protection online.
She also announced that operators will be obliged to provide £10m-14m for responsible gambling campaign over two years.
The DCMS noted: “The campaign will include TV adverts, including around live sport, as well as radio, cinema, online and print. The campaign will be funded by gambling operators, including online-only betting firms, with airspace and digital media provided by broadcasters.”
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UK online self-exclusion scheme roll-out postponed
The launch of the UK’s national online self-exclusion scheme (GAMSTOP) has been delayed until spring 2018 to allow operators more time for implementation, EGR Intel can reveal.
GAMSTOP was originally scheduled to go live before the end of the year and once integrated will enable customers to self-exclude from all operators licensed by the Gambling Commission in a single step.
The government indicated it also expected such a timeline in its triennial review consultation document published last week.
However, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which has led the creation of GAMSTOP, told EGR Intel the roll-out of the multi-operator scheme would now be delayed until next year.
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Spanish Q3 online revenues up 37%
Spain’s has reported a 37% rise in Q3 revenues despite a 3% decline in advertising spend, according to new figures from the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ).
Locally-licensed online gambling operators generated a combined revenue of €140.5m in the three months ending September 30, up 16.63% on Q2.
Sports betting accounted for 54.8% of total gross gaming revenue after rising 37% to almost €77m, with in-play betting accounting for nearly 60% of wagering.
Casino was the second largest vertical with 31.2% of the overall market, with revenue amounting to €43.9m thanks to an online increase of 4.6%.
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Stan James hit by £80k fine from Gambling Commission
Stan James has been fined £80,000 by the Gambling Commission for social responsibility and money laundering failures.
The Gambling Commission investigated the Kindred-owned sportsbook after an individual, who was convicted of stealing from his employer, lost £40,000 of stolen money on Stan James Online between 2014 and 2016.
Stan James has been ordered to reimburse the customer’s employer for the stolen £40,000, as well as a £40,000 payment to the Commission in lieu of a heavier financial penalty.
The UKGC’s investigation, which was completed on 29 October, found Stan James failed to comply with its regulations on two points: a failure to identify problem gambling behaviour and a failure to comply with financial requirements.
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Poll results: Pennsylvania a big opportunity for European operators
European companies should be weighing up their options in the US following recent regulatory developments, according to a big majority of respondents to last week’s poll.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolfe signed a wide ranging online gaming bill into law, which included online poker, casino, lottery DFS and even sports betting should the federal ban on it be repealed.
The state boasts a population of approximately 13 million people, making it larger than neighbouring New Jersey, where annual egaming revenues are expected to near $250m in 2017.
The development could also generate some momentum for other states to follow Pennsylvania, all of which means 88% of voters in this week’s poll voted Yes when asked: “Should operators look to the US now Pennsylvania is coming online?”
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