June 2021 Changes in the World of Gambling

With the onset of summer, regulatory changes in the gambling industry have eased slightly, although there are still markets around the world where new rules are being actively implemented.

We present to your attention an overview of everything that has happened in Europe and the rest of the world in the field of gambling.

Updates to European legislation

Ukraine

Consumer protection rules will be introduced to protect citizens after the expansion of the country's gambling market takes place. This includes self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and playtime views. Norway The Norwegian government has introduced a new Gambling Act .

It will consolidate all existing gambling laws into one, including a measure giving the Gambling Authority the right to sanction operators and affiliates who operate without a license.

Finland

Veikkaus has introduced a maximum loss limit of € 1,500 for bets on final match results, as well as mandatory identity verification at all betting points. In addition, it was confirmed that the restrictions on the daily and monthly loss limit for online gbling clients, imposed by the government in the first wave of the pandemic, will be permanent.

Denmark

ISPs are legally required to block unlicensed gambling sites at Spillemynidheden's request. The regulator had to prove that Danish citizens gambled on the sites before they were blocked, but the court ruled that the operator can demand blocking from ISPs if they can prove that the sites that provide gambling services are not licensed.

Italy

EGBA has asked Italian officials to alert the European Commission of proposals to reduce the number of online gambling operators on the market. Proposals were received in November 2019.

Great Britain

From October 1, 2021, annual fees for remote gambling operators will increase by 55%, fees for new applicants will increase by 60%, and a 5% discount for combined remote and non-remote operating licenses will be prohibited. From April 1, 2022, the annual license fee for non-remote operators will increase by 15%.

Germany

The German government finance committee introduced a billsetting a turnover tax of 5.3% for online gambling, including unlicensed and illegally used games. The bill will be put to a vote in the House of Representatives, which is expected by the end of June, but this will be a formality as the new treaty is due to go into effect on July 1.

US Regulatory Updates

US online casinos are regulated on a state basis, which means that different states have different laws. Right now, you can play legally in Nevada, Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. In most states, you can play the lottery and horse betting. 

Maine

The Maine Senate passed Act SB1352, which allows retail and online sports betting with some amendments. A recently amended bill restricts sports betting licenses to conventional casinos. The bill has been sent for signature to the governor.

Ohio

The state Senate has approved Bill SB247, which allows and regulates online betting and sports betting. It went to parliament for final consideration.

Louisiana

HB697, a bill setting a tax rate of 10% on total winnings in retail sports betting and 15% on mobile sports betting, was signed by the governor. In addition, the Senate approved Law SB247, which authorizes and regulates mobile sports betting.

Washington

The Gambling Commission has approved revised gaming agreements with 15 tribes. They have been sent to the Governor for approval and the draft rules are due to be published on July 7 and approved by the end of July.

Arizona

The State Department of Gambling has set September 9 as the tentative launch date for the state's sports betting market.

Tennessee

Governor Bill Lee signed into law SB588, which will transfer regulatory responsibilities in the sports betting market from the Tennessee Lottery Council to the Sports Betting Advisory Board effective January 1, 2022.

Pennsylvania

The state lottery won the right to offer instant online games. The case was brought by representatives of a casino in the state, which claimed that the games violated the Lotteries Act because they mimic slot machines. However, it was found that the games do not contain any of the key features of slot machines.

Regulatory updates from other countries

Kenya

Leading Kenyan football clubs have opposed a proposal to reintroduce a 20% turnover tax on sports betting, saying it would exclude continued sponsorship of the sport and lead to the collapse of most of the league's teams. The proposal is scheduled to be discussed this month.

Mexico

Congressman Erik Isaac Morales Elvira presented a proposal to expand the regulation of sports betting in Mexico. The initiative was to reform the Betting and Lottery Act of 1947 to give the Home Office (SEGOB) the authority to authorize and control sports betting.