Best of PRO This Week: UK Tax, French Figures and an Online Poker “Exposé”

Key Takeaways

Australian Gambling Debate Intensifies with Demands to Ban Sports Sponsorships.
ARJEL Analysis of H1 2013 Provides More Ammunition for Tax Changes.
GQ France Online Poker “Exposé” Adds Street Cred to a Declining Market.
Report: UK Treasury’s First POC Draft and Consultation Response.

Lead Features

Australian Gambling Debate Intensifies with Demands to Ban Sports Sponsorships

Senator Richard Di Natale has called for a total ban on gambling company sponsorship of sports, as the Australian Federal election campaign nears the end. The recent conclusion of so many soccer sponsorship in Europe deals ahead of the start of the coming season throws into sharp relief the potential impact of Australian calls for such sponsorships to be banned.

ARJEL Analysis of H1 2013 Provides More Ammunition for Tax Changes

Data shows falls in young players and a reduction in the proportion of regulars to recreational players. French online gaming regulator ARJEL has released its qualitative analysis of the first six months of 2013, following its quantitative release last month.

GQ France Online Poker “Exposé” Adds Street Cred to a Declining Market

Mass multi-tabling, “unfair advantages” from HUDs, the isolated life of a poker pro, high taxes: Featured article paints a bleak picture of online poker in France. The September edition of GQ magazine in France contains a major feature story about the world of French online poker.

Report: UK Treasury’s First POC Draft and Consultation Response

Commission to be given powers over player fund regulations as UK Treasury produces first draft of POC legislation. The UK Treasury has published its response to a consultation on the planned “point of consumption” gambling tax expected to be introduced at the end of the year.

Exclusive News Articles

Recession Drives Italian Problem Gambling

Italy’s Gazette del Sud reports that the fiscal crisis is causing higher problem gambling and more mafia involvement in the business. The Italian Gazette del Sud newspaper has reported that evidence from several studies is showing that the Italian economic crisis is increasing the incidence of problem gambling. It reports that it is also increasing the mafia’s influence.

Paddy Power Signs New Deal with Arsenal FC

Paddy Power has re-signed with Arsenal Football Club to be their official betting partner for the UK, Ireland and Italy, the group announced Thursday.

Winamax Adds German Language Version of its Website and Poker Client

French market leader adds German language support to further its strategy of recruiting players beyond its borders. Winamax has added a German version of its website and poker client as it follows through on its strategy of expanding outside its home market of France.

Germany Says Bitcoin is a Currency

The German Finance Ministry has accepted that Bitcoin is a “unit of account” and can be used for commercial transactions in the country. The German Finance Ministry has recognized Bitcoin as a “unit of account.” With this recognition comes legitimacy as a currency that can be used for tax and trading in Germany.

CVC Buys Controlling Stake in Skrill

Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has purchased a 75% stake in payment processor Skrill for €600m, the group announced Thursday.

Global Cash Access Launches Everi Product Suite

Nevada-based payment processor Global Cash Access Inc. has launched Everi, a new interactive gaming solution that will connect its customers’ online gaming and land-based operations.

Social Gaming Risks Attract Research Funding in Australia

The potential regulation of social gaming is hampered by a lack of research: A two-year study in Australia aims to uncover what risks may exist. Australia’s Southern Cross University has attracted a research grant of $456k from Gambling Research Australia to fund a two year study into any risks which may be associated with social gaming.

Taiwan May Accept Poker Tournaments as “Intellectual Competition”

Minister propose exempting live poker tournaments from gambling ban and has held discussions with the WSOP. Taiwan is considering relaxing its strict anti-gambling laws to allow big-name international poker tournaments to be held. Currently, all “for-profit games of chance” are banned on the island.

Greece Fires Head of Privatization Agency Responsible for the Sale of OPAP

Stelios Stavridis was sacked for taking a free ride on the private jet belonging to one of the buyers of OPAP. The Greek government has sacked Stelios Stavridis, the head of privatization agency HRADF, which managed the sale of gaming monopoly OPAP.

ISPs Implement Greek Blacklist

Concerns mount over access to existing balances. The major ISPs in Greece have begun to implement the government-mandated blacklist of illegal online gambling operators.

Vietnam Draft Regulations on Football Betting Bring Online Gaming Regulation a Little Closer

Another small step in Vietnam’s progress toward gambling liberalization. The inch-by-inch process of economic liberalization moves further forward in Vietnam: The government has released draft regulations which would permit betting on international soccer games.

UK Soccer Sponsorships Abound as New Season Approaches

September marks the start of the soccer season in Europe, and gaming companies have been active in lining up sponsorship deals.

Malta Government Investigating LGA Following Everleaf Complaints

Audit results expected within weeks; LGA changes may be necessary to “strengthen reputation.” The Maltese government is carrying out an audit of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority’s (LGA) regulation of Everleaf, following the recent suspension of its licenses.