|
|
Posts Tagged ‘Monopoly’
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Chalk up yet another European country that has passed pro-online gaming laws, as a law passed in Denmark almost two years after the factwill finally go into effect on January 1, 2012, allowing foreign online gaming providers to legally operate in Denmark.
The change to the Danish gaming laws puts an end to the 50-year monopoly by the state run Danske Spil, which has controlled the brick and mortar casino industry in Denmark. Danish slot machine providers protested the 20% tax that would be imposed on online gaming providers, while brick & mortar gaming taxes remained at 41%, which caused the year-long delay as the matter was taken before the proper authorities. A formal complaint was filed by the Danish Association of Slot Machine Vendors in conjunction with the Danish Casino Association, with the complaint eventually making its way to the European Union Commission.
Early this week the EU Commission put out a statement where they stated:
“After an in-depth investigation, the European Commission has concluded that a law liberalising gambling in Denmark and at the same time creating lower taxes for online casinos than for land-based ones is in line with EU state aid rules. This is because the positive effects of the liberalisation of the sector outweigh potential distortions of competition.”
“The Commission’s decision establishes that the lower rate of taxation for on-line gambling indeed constitutes state aid but finds it compatible with EU rules, because the positive effects of the liberalisation of the market outweigh the distortions of competition brought about by the measure.”
The law not only allows foreign operators to operate in the Danish market, but will also allow licensed online gaming sites to freely advertise in Denmark.
Tags: Brick And Mortar, Casino Industry, Danish Association, Danish Market, Depth Investigation, Distortions, Eu Commission, European Commission, European Union Commission, Formal Complaint, Gaming Laws, Gaming Sites, January 1, Liberalisation, Lower Taxes, Monopoly, Online Casinos, Proper Authorities, Slot Machine, Spil
Posted in Poker Industry News | No Comments »
Friday, December 31st, 2010
When a European Union court declared Germany’s current national gambling monopoly illegal in September it appeared the country’s massive online gaming market would finally be legalized and opened up to private companies, but thus far the individual states in Germany are fighting hard to retain control of their lottery monopolies –which means excluding online gaming.
EU law states that member countries cannot exclude other member states, or companies located within those countries, from offering their services to residents –thereby creating a monopoly.
According to egrmagazine.com, the European Court of Justice ruling stated:
that although monopolistic restrictions on the freedom of private internet operators to offer sports bets under EU law could be justified “by imperative reasons” in the public interest, “the German rules do not limit games of chance in a consistent and systematic manner.”
There are still a number of details to iron out in the case, perhaps the most contentious being, the statement by the court that: “[S]uch a monopoly is likely to overcome the risks connected with the gaming industry more effectively than a system under which private operators are authorised to organise bets subject to compliance with the relevant legislation.”
Which in laymen’s terms means that if a state-controlled monopoly can better control the industries compliance with laws than it is acceptable –i.e. protect underage and problem gamblers, and so on.
Tags: Court Of Justice, Games Of Chance, Gaming Industry, Gaming Market, German Rules, Internet Operators, Law States, Laymen, Member Countries, Monopolies, Monopoly, National Gambling, Private Companies, Private Internet, Private Operators, Problem Gamblers, Relevant Legislation, Sports Bets, Systematic Manner, Uch
Posted in Poker News | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
 The state of New Jersey has been diligently working to be able to legalize online gambling in the state. However the state’s bid to pass legislation has been brought to a halt thanks to a few giants in the gambling industry.
Harrah’s Entertainment as well as and the New Jersey Casino Association has stepped in to put the brakes on legalizing online gambling in the state. Harrah’s had stated in the past that they were against the bill. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer Harrah’s has taken action against the bill.
Harrah’s says they are not responsible for the bill being stalled. Marybel Batjer the vice president of public policy and communications for Harrah’s Entertainment commented: “Harrah’s is absolutely not delaying a sports-betting bill in New Jersey. The entire New Jersey Casino Association opposed Internet and sports betting. The letter the association sent Tuesday to the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee specifically addressed sports betting.”
Raymond Lesniak the senator for the state commented: “I am really astonished at Harrah’s that they would continue to fight against New Jersey’s interests in order to protect their monopoly in Nevada on sports betting. They have no shame to openly fight against New Jersey and our needs for additional revenues for their own corporate greed.”
As mentioned above, the New Jersey Casino Association has officially announced their opposition to the legislation in the state. The Association stated the legislation ‘would violate existing federal bans on sports and online betting’.
The association is also opposed to the legislation because the bill is backed by iMEGA. iMEGA has supported international gambling brands in the past. The Association is in fear that international brands will then move into the casino monopoly in Atlantic City.
Joe Corbo the president of the Association commented in the Associated Press last week and he stated: “New Jersey, which has set the gold standard for its gambling laws, should not now have its gambling laws driven by a group like iMEGA that is made up of offshore Internet gambling sites that are not permitted to accept wagers in the United States and are thumbing their nose at the United States Department of Justice.”
Tags: Atlantic City, Brakes, City Joe, Corporate Greed, Gambling Legislation, Gaming Committee, Giants, Harrah S Entertainment, Harrah's Entertainment, Imega, International Brands, Monopoly, New Jersey, New Jersey Casino Association, Online Betting, Opposition, Philadelphia Inquirer, Public Policy, Regulatory Oversight, Shame, Sports Betting, State Of New Jersey, Whi
Posted in Poker Industry News | No Comments »
Monday, June 7th, 2010
 Norway recently created a ban that has affect gamblers in the country. Players of online poker and other online gambling methods can no longer participate at online sites due to a new ban. The ban is on financial transactions between the residents of Norway and online gambling websites.
The government of Norway submitted the proposal of the financial ban in 2008 to parliament but the European Free Trade Association was not happy with this. The EFTA commented in 2008 that the proposal is an ‘unjustified restriction of the freedoms of the internal market for gambling services’.
Norway is part of the European Free Trade Association with Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. Despite the EFTA’s commented Norway went ahead with the plans for the ban and on June 1st the ban came into effect. Now credit card companies and online payment processors are not able to make any online gaming transactions in the country.
The EFTA is now working to challenge the new laws on Norway. The government of the country commented that the ban was created to help with fraud and gambling addictions. Many are opposed to the ban and Clive Hawkswood a Chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association has commented on the ban by stating:
“It is difficult to believe that the aim of the proposed measures is to protect consumers and restrict gambling given the Norwegian monopoly’s appetite for recruiting new players and the extent of its marketing campaigns. The Norwegian authorities appear to be more motivated by the need to protect revenues from gambling, but this is not a valid justification to restrict the internal market rules.”
Tags: Appetite, Chief Executive, Efta, Financial Transactions, Freedoms, Gamblers, Gambling Addictions, Government Of Norway, Government Proposal, Justification, Lichtenstein, Marketing Campaigns, Monopoly, New Laws, Norway, Norway Government, Norwegian Authorities, online gambling, online poker, Parliament, Payment Processors, Restriction, transaction ban
Posted in Poker Industry News | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
 As many online gambling sites move away from the French gambling industry many are moving in. after new legislation was passed a short time ago in France, many gambling companies including Betfair and William Hill have moved out of the region, as they decide if they are going to obtain a license to operate in the area. However as many pull out, more are moving in. one such company is TF1, the largest television broadcaster in France.
Societe Television Francaise 1 otherwise known as TF1 recently released a press release which read they are going to extend their gambling service Eurosportbet to France. This offering includes online poker as well. In the release TF1 commented: “TF1 is exploring all areas that are connected to the universe of entertainment.”
Francaise de Jeux a state monopoly in France confirmed that they signed a deal with Lucien Barriere to offer online poker to French players as well. Lucien Barriere is a land casino operator and another company that is moving into the online poker industry in France.
Back in April lawmakers opened the countries betting market so many foreign companies are jumping at the chance to move into the market first. The new legislation passed by the French Parliament is imposing a 7.5% tax on online sports and horse racing wagers. A 2% levy has also been placed on poker bets.
Tags: Betfair, Bets, Casino Operator, france, French Parliament, French Players, Horse Racing Wagers, Land Casino, Lawmakers, Levy, Lucien Barriere, Monopoly, New Legislation, Online gambling operations, Online Gambling Sites, online poker, Short Time, Societe Television, State Monopoly, Television Broadcaster, Television Francaise 1, Tf1, William Hill
Posted in Poker Industry News | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Software provider Playtech recently announced that they have won a supply deal with Rahaautomaattiyhdistys (RAY) which is Finland’s new online casino and poker monopoly. EGRmagazine recently reported that RAY cleared in February to launch their online casino and poker rooms.
RAY is Finland’s Slot Machines Association and they were cleared by parliament to get the ball rolling in the online  gambling market. At the same time the Finnish state lottery was also approved to offer online bingo.
The new Playtech deal is a four year contract which will see RAY launching an online casino and poker room using Playtech’s technology platform. The poker options will be played on an exclusive Finnish network.
The online gaming options are scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2010 and the site will include a mobile offering for those interested. Mor Weizer the Playtech chief executive commented: ”By establishing a domestic online offering, RAY will be furthering its philosophy of responsible and trustworthy gaming. The unique player management tools we can provide will ensure a secure and safe operating environment in line with RAY’s core values.”
Monopolies are welcome in Finland as they are seen by citizens as more accountable in their operations than private operators. Also citizens like the fact that the profits go directly to the state instead of into the private sector.
Tags: Core Values, Finland, Finnish Network, Finnish State, Gaming Options, Management Tools, Monopolies, Monopoly, New Deal, New Online Casino, online gambling, Online Monopoly, Operating Environment, Player Management, Playtech, Poker Room, Poker Rooms, Private Operators, RAY, Slot Machines, Software Provider, State Lottery, Technology Platform
Posted in Poker Industry News | No Comments »
Monday, May 17th, 2010
 As the French poker market is opening up to outside operators many gambling operators are getting ready to move in by setting up shop in the area or signing deals with other companies. Surprisingly a few companies are moving out of the French Market.
Both Betfair and Sportingbet, online bookmakers with strong poker sites, have moved out of the French market which will soon be regulated. Betfair released a statement which read that the company is critical of the licensing process in France and they have yet to decide if they are going to apply for a license because the French Authorities have yet to publish the full set of license requirements.
The director of European public affairs for Betfair, Tim Phillips, commented: “We are looking very hard at the French market and how we might operate within the new licensed regime. Though it’s not impossible for a newcomer to create a commercially viable business, most projections show it will be very difficult to do so, given the proposed restrictions imposed on license holders.
French legislation will certainly benefit the incumbent players and the ultimate loser will be the French consumer. The new law does not adequately open the former monopoly’s market to true competition from other operators. We hope that the review, scheduled 18 months from now, will amend the law to address these flaws.”
Paradise Poker’s owner Sportingbet commented on their French website that they would no longer be allowing French players to play or bet at their site stating that it was their legal obligation to suspend activities. This took place on May 13th.
Tags: Betfair, French Authorities, French Legislation, French Market, French Players, french poker market, French Website, Legal Obligation, Loser, Monopoly, Newcomer, Online Bookmakers, Paradise Poker, Poker Gambling, poker market, Poker Sites, Public Affairs, S Market, Sportingbet, Tim Phillips, True Competition, Viable Business
Posted in Poker Industry News | 1 Comment »
|
|
