- UKGC Player Fund Protection Proposals: In-Depth Analysis.
- UKGC Consultation on New License Conditions: In-Depth Report.
- Spanish Regulator “Absolutely in Favor” of International Liquidity.
- CJEU Rules Member States Cannot Preclude Cross Border Gambling Activities in the EU.
Lead Features
UKGC Player Fund Protection Proposals: In-Depth Analysis
An analysis of the options and factors which should guide the UKGC’s position on player fund protection. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) consultation on player fund protection is a timely acknowledgement that this issue has not been given the attention it deserves, despite regulators’ primary purpose of consumer protection.
UKGC Consultation on New License Conditions: In-Depth Report
Software providers will require UKGC licenses; affiliates could be affected; contradictions remain over definitions of player location. In addition to the consultation on player fund protection, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has also announced a consultation on proposed amendments to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) for gambling operators.
Spanish Regulator “Absolutely in Favor” of International Liquidity
New head of DGOJ gives clearest sign yet that it seeks to open its online poker market—with Italian player pooling just a stepping stone to full international liquidity. Carlos Hernandez, the newly-appointed Director General of the Spanish online gaming regulator DGOJ, has drawn a clear path towards opening the online poker market in Spain from a segregated player pool to internationally-shared liquidity.
CJEU Rules Member States Cannot Preclude Cross Border Gambling Activities in the EU
The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued rulings that appear to further prevent member nations from restrict gambling via national legislation. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a set of rulings that could have significant consequences for cross border gambling within the EU. The CJEU is the senior court which rules on matters of compliance with EU treaties.
Exclusive News Articles
Russian Online Poker at Risk: ISP Beeline Blocks PokerStars.com
Beeline’s block on PokerStars could signal a wider attempt to compel ISPs to block gambling websites following a 2012 court ruling. Major Russian Internet Service Provider (ISP) Beeline has blocked access to the dot-com domain of PokerStars.
Bulgaria Issues its First Internet Gambling License Under New Laws
Locally owned company vBulletin gets the first license issued by the SGC under the 2012 Gambling Act. Immediately after blacklisting a further 20 domains, Bulgaria’s State Commission on Gambling (SCG) has issued its first internet gambling license under the laws passed in 2012.
Bulgaria Gaming Commission Finds 20 More Domains for its Blacklist
The blacklist or online gambling domains in Bulgaria has been expanded with twenty new additions.
UK Gambling Advertising Rules Amended
Depictions of sporting personalities who are or appear to be under 25 may now be used in context by betting sites. The body responsible for writing UK advertising codes, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP), has amended its rules on gambling advertising.
Codere Defaults but Creditors Keep it Alive
A deal with creditors keeps Codere going until Jan next year, but it has to renegotiate over €1bn in debt. Codere has managed to negotiate with its creditors to stave off bankruptcy, but a default on loan payments has triggered credit default swap payments on $445m of its debt.
Responsible Gaming Trust Expands Addiction Research to Social Gaming
The RGT is spending over £500k this year on research and plans to spend more next year on a wider range of topics. The Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT), an industry-funded but independent UK charity, has announced plans to raise more money to extend the scope of its research activities to include online gambling and social gaming.
Online Gamers Have Lowest Tolerance For Identity Checks
Research from Experian shows players give up after just 4 minutes waiting for their ID to be confirmed. A new study from Experian has found that online gamers are prepared to wait for less time than any other group while identity checks are carried out for online transactions. On average they will tolerate a wait time of four minutes.
Paf First to Debut MPN’s Mac Client
Adobe Air client on Microgaming’s network offers Mac OS support. Finnish gambling site Paf has launched Microgaming’s new Adobe Air poker client.
French Senate Approves New Gambling Definition
The new definition broadens the reach of gambling laws to include games of skill where players have a hope of gain. In France, the Senate has adopted a bill which broadens the legal definition of gambling. At first reading they amended it and returned it to the Chamber of Deputies which adopted the new wording in July.
Ashley Fox Disappointed by His Own EU Report
The sponsor of the report recently accepted by the EU Parliament has said that it does not go far enough in promoting cross border gambling. UK Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Ashley Fox has said that final version of his report on gambling which was approved by the EU Parliament “did not go far enough” towards the creation of a single European gambling market.
KPMG Report Recommends Reductions in Proposed UK Online Gambling Tax
The UK’s planned 15% tax rate puts the government’s fiscal and social objectives in jeopardy, according to a report commissioned by the RGA. The Remote Gaming Association (RGA) has published a summary of a KPMG report which recommends the UK adopt a 10% gambling tax rather than the currently planned 15%.
Further PR Success for Ultimate with Positive Coverage in The Economist
Offshore sites “offer scant safeguards for players,” argues pro-regulation article in the Economist. The Ultimate Poker PR team continues to rack up successes with recent positive coverage in The Economist, which was syndicated in Business Insider late last week.
PokerStars Exploits Targeted Marketing for WCOOP 2013
PokerStars is recommending a specific sub-set of WCOOP events to players based on their playing history. PokerStars has adopted a more personalized marketing campaign for this year’s WCOOP, sending out emails recommending specific events based on a player’s history on the site.
Incomplete Applications Stalling New Jersey iGaming License Approvals
Lack of proper documentation from applicants holding up licensing process, letter reveals. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has warned casino CEOs and their counsel that the lack of proper documentation has adversely affected the DGE’s “ability to review and approve” applications related to internet gaming.
Regular Weekly Columns
Checking Around
Pokerfuse PRO’s exclusive industry-focused summary of online poker discussions in the last week. Troll free, guaranteed.
Traffic Watch
A weekly review of the online poker market: This week, WSOP.com traffic in PRO, 888poker overtakes Full Tilt to third place, and tussles over bragging rights in the US and France.
Under the Gun
The week ahead for the online poker industry: Conferences, live tournaments, online promotions and other important industry dates.
Regulation in Review
A weekly review of the latest developments in gaming regulation. This week: the EU, UK, France and Spain.
