Best of PRO This Week: Malta Fund Protection, TIGA and Romanian Regulation

Key Takeaways

Malta’s New LGA Chairman Acknowledges Importance of Player Fund Protection.
TIGA Goes Online to Promote Tribal Internet Gambling.

Lead Features

Malta’s New LGA Chairman Acknowledges Importance of Player Fund Protection

Joseph Cuschieri wants to make the LGA a better regulator and offer social gaming regulation to grow the industry. In an extensive interview with the Malta Independent, newly-appointed Executive Chairman of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority has explained that effective player fund protection is an essential factor in growing its regulatory business.

TIGA Goes Online to Promote Tribal Internet Gambling

The newly formed the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA), an organization dedicated to promoting online gambling for the benefit of US Indian tribes, launched a new website earlier this week to promote the groups interests.

Romanian Regulator to Finalize Draft of New Gambling Laws

Odeta Nestor hopes to start regulated online gaming within two months. In Bucharest, Odeta Nestor, President of the National Gambling Office (ONJN), told a meeting of industry professionals that she hoped to finalize a draft of new gaming laws at the end of the month, and have online gambling regulated within two months.

Exclusive News Articles

Romania Gambling Tax Changes Reflect a Sense of Reality

Poker operators will be taxed at 0.1% on each hand played. A meeting with fellow industry professional in Bucharest gave Romania’s President of the National Gambling Office (ONJN), Odeta Nestor, an opportunity to discuss her plans to modernize regulation, and she also hinted at possible tax changes.

Record Attendance at Svenska Spel’s Online Poker Championship

Over 7,500 entries created a main event prize pool of $200k, bucking the trend of declining poker activity. This year’s Swedish Online Poker Championship hosted by Svenska Spel turned out be a record breaker. It produced the largest number of tournament entries, biggest prize pools and highest individual prizes since online poker became subject to state regulation seven years ago.

High Tea at the Palace: LGA Head Meets Malta President

LGA’s new Chairman and staff were invited to meet Malta’s President for tea and a tour. The new Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) Executive Chairman Mr Joseph Cuschieri and his team visited the President of Malta, His Excellency Dr George Abela, at the San Anton Palace and enjoyed a conversation over high tea.

Australian Watchdog Expresses Concern Over App Industry

Guidance for the app industry should be heeded by overseas poker operators serving the Australian market. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has declared that there is a need for industry guidance to ensure greater consumer protection by the ‘app’ games industry.

PokerStars Adds, Removes High-Buyin “Tax Deferral” Tables on Greek Site

In Rational Group’s continued attempts to both comply with Greek regulation, while mitigating the tax burden of its players, PokerStars added, but later removed, high-buyin tournaments that could aid players in deferring tax on daily profits.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Publishes First Corporate Responsibility Report

Detailed stats on problem gambling show the effectiveness of regulatory measures to protect customers. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has produced its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.

Dire Economic Situation Hastens Japan’s Push to Open Up Casino Industry

New Japanese casinos should be up and running in time for the 2020 Olympics. The governing Liberal Democratic Party in Japan has now put a bill before the national legislature that will legalize new casinos in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Equity Poker Skin Full Flush Poker Launches Affiliate Program

35% revenue share to drive players to the fledgling US-facing poker room. Full Flush Poker, the first room to launch on the Equity Poker Network (EPN), has become the first to launch its own affiliate program—Flush Affiliates.

Nevada: Building Las Vegas Castles in the Israeli Desert

Governor Brian Sandoval wants to use Nevada’s gambling expertise for developments in Israel. A trade mission to Israel by Nevada’s governor Brian Sandoval has been pushing the idea of building a Las Vegas-style resort in the Negev Desert.

New Mexican Gambling Laws Could be Tabled Early in the New Year

New gambling laws urgently required, say Mexico politicians. Mexican MPs are putting pressure on the government to introduce new gaming laws quickly. Members of a committee formed to review new gaming laws spoke publicly on the issue at a consultation in Monterrey, “The Socioeconomic Impact of Remote Gambling and Lotteries.”

Australian PM Promises Further Restrictions on Online Gambling

Operators are expecting pre-election promises to be fulfilled. Last week’s parliamentary question time in Australia produced a forthright promise from the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, to introduce tough new measures against internet gambling.

Holland Casino Plays Safe With Playtech

The financially-troubled Netherlands gambling monopoly has selected Playtech to develop a platform for roulette, blackjack, slot machines, poker and bingo. Holland Casino currently has the monopoly on land based casino gambling in the Netherlands, but in preparation for new laws it has struck a deal with Playtech to develop online games.

Players to Get VIP Bump as Ladbrokes Transitions off MPN to iPoker on December 21

The move was originally announced in March after a five year deal was signed with Playtech plc. December 21 will see Ladbrokes finally move from MPN to the iPoker network, after announcing their intentions to do so earlier this year. Their casino operations will remain on a Microgaming platform until Spring next year.