- Feature: PokerNews’ New Beginner Poker Portal.
- The Failure of German Federal Gaming Regulation.
Lead Features
Dutch Gambling Authority Suggests Changes to Proposed Gambling Laws
More protection for minors, one bank account per player, and offers of support for problem gamblers are needed. Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch Gambling Authority (DGA), has proposed amendments to the Dutch gaming law which is currently out for industry consultation. An open letter to the State Secretary for Security and Justice Dr Frederik Teeven lays out practical proposals for improving the law.
The Failure of German Federal Gaming Regulation
The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling has failed to issue licenses after a year of operation—the economic impetus is missing. In late May, the 41 applicants for German gaming licenses under the German Intrastate Treaty on Gambling were told that a final evaluation was still pending. They now have to wait at least until August to find out if they would be awarded one of the 20 licenses on offer.
Realpolitik Takes Precedence as the EU Allows Greek Gambling Monopoly
EU Commission gives Greece the go ahead to re-establish the OPAP monopoly which the ECJ ruled illegal earlier this year. The EU Commission has withdrawn its block on Greek government actions which give OPAP a virtual monopoly on online gambling until 2020.
Feature: PokerNews’ New Beginner Poker Portal
New strategy site for first-time players promotes five of PokerNews’ partner sites. PokerNews.com has expanded its web prescence with the recent addition of learn.pokernews.com, a new beginner-focused poker portal.
Exclusive News Articles
Ultimate Gaming Appoints VP of Market Development and Government Affairs
Nevada-based Ultimate Gaming, parent company of Ultimate Poker, has appointed Mike Britt as Vice President of Market Development and Government Affairs.
Facebook Reportedly Expanding Real-Money Gaming to Italy, Spain
Expansion to more regulated markets following successful UK-only launch nine months ago. Facebook is reportedly expanding into real-money gaming (RMG) in the regulated markets of Italy and Spain.
EuroVegas Project Takes the Next Step
“Non-binding viability study” filed in Madrid. Las Vegas Sands has formerly registered its plans to build its mega-casino complex, EuroVegas.
bwin Sponsors Belgium’s Most Successful Football Club
bwin.party has inked a three-year deal with 32-time Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht to become its official online gaming and betting partner.
PKR “Blacklisted” By Affiliates Following Retroactive Policy Change
Niche UK-focused PKR has made changes to its affiliate program that requires affiliates to maintain a level of activity or risk commission payments from existing referrals.
Bulgaria Further Expands Online Gambling Blacklist
94 domains now blocked. The Bulgarian State Gambling Commission has further expanded its list of blocked online gambling domains, taking the total to 94.
William Hill’s Italian iPoker Room Goes Live
William Hill has added a poker room to its offering in the regulated Italian market.
Dutch Social Network Agrees to Drop Online Gambling Advertising
Netherlands-based social network Hyves has agreed to remove advertising that promotes illegal online gambling, the Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit announced this week.
Despite Increased Competition, Svenska Spel Sees Growth, Hits Targets
Mobile gaming and casino games have provided the growth, but cost cutting and jobs had to go to make the numbers add up at Swedish state regulated Svenska Spel. The latest financial report from Svenska Spel shows that the Swedish state-licensed gaming company has met its profit targets, but it had to cut costs to do so.
Lebanese Telecoms Minister Confirms Online Poker Shut Down Was Legally Authorized
A month after access to online poker sites was blocked in the Lebanon, Minister tweets that the action was legal. Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui has tweeted confirmation that the recent blocking of the major online poker sites in the Lebanon was carried out under the provisions of the 1995 law, Decree 6919.
PokerTracker Signs On as EPT Sponsor
PT4 is the “official poker tracking software” for Season 10. PokerTracker 4 has signed a deal with PokerStars and the European Poker Tour (EPT) to be the “Official Poker Tracking Software” of Season 10.
Antigua Implements Sanctions Against USA
Antigua defies US trade threats to collect on WTO ruling against USA gambling restrictions. Ten years on, little Antigua and Barbuda has finally decided to collect on the money owed to it by the USA following a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling. The WTO Remedies Implementation Committee (RIC) will now choose to ignore US intellectual property rights until over $140m has been collected.
Paf Launches New Poker Portal
A simple portal page separates beginners and advanced players to help beginners get seated quickly. Idiosyncratic charity poker room Paf has launched a new poker portal providing access to its tripartite poker room.
Regular Weekly Columns
Traffic Watch
Global markets find the bottom of a summer slump, more jostling in the top 5, and France falls further.
Regulation in Review: US
Massachusetts, a potential House Hearing and a home-cooked online poker bill.
Regulation in Review: Europe & Beyond
A weekly review of the newest developments in gaming regulation around the non-US world.
Checking Around
This week in our industry-focused summary of online poker discussions: Intertops, Lock, Skrill, and how not to conduct customer support.
Under the Gun
New Jersey’s next deadline, Ultimate’s approval, Venetian’s boycott, and a full slate of live events: What to watch out for over the next week.
