France Follows US' Legislative Lead
France's projet de loi sur la délinquance, (law on delinquency), which is aimed at stopping the spread of delinquency among its youth, may soon include amendments that will prevent online payments to Internet gambling operators. France's parliament approved on Feb 22 amendments 254 and 255, which would would allow the ministries of Finance and of the Interior to forbid "for a period of up to six months and renewable, all movement or transfer of funds from physical or moral persons organising gaming, betting or lottery activities prohibited by the law of 21 May 1836 prohibiting lotteries and the law of 2 June 1891 that regulates horse racing, and law no 83-628 of 12 July 1983 in relation to games of chance." The legislation also targets advertising and promotion of online gambling sites.Media outlets who accept online gaming advertising could be fined up to 30,000 euros with the possibility for courts to multiply this fine by four times the amount invested in advertising expenses. Furthermore, Internet service providers (ISPs) would be required to clearly inform subscribers of gambling sites that are considered inappropriate by the Department of Home Affairs and would have to advise them on the risks associated with playing on illegal sites. ISPs that fail to comply would be subject to a fine of up to 75,000 euros and up to one year in prison.
Israel Trying to Block Minors from Adult Sites
The Knesset (Israel parliament) on Feb. 28 approved by unanimous vote the first reading of a bill to limit access to adult Web sites. The bill, submitted by Knesset Member Amnon Cohen (Shas), would require ISPs to block access of minors to Web sites that contain sex, violence or gambling. Access would only be allowed upon physical or biometric identification of the user, plus a password in order to verify age. ISPs that violate the law would be subject to a NIS 20,000 ($ 4,741) fine. The bill does not specify which sites should be included in the restriction.
Antigua and Barbuda to Overhaul Regulations
The Antigua and Barbuda Financial Services Regulatory Commission's (FSRC) Department of Gaming is preparing to overhaul its regulatory system. Director of Gaming Kaye McDonald said the jurisdiction would be concentrating on tightening control of the Internet gambling industry. The focus would turn to regulating a select number of premium operators rather than a multitude of licensees. The FSRC is committed to upholding three core principles: ensuring that the systems of remote gaming companies are free of crime; that they protect children and the vulnerable; and that their games are fair, McDonald said. With the assistance of Mark Mendel, who is representing the twin-island nation in its dispute with the United States, the Directorate of Gaming will be conducting an extensive review of the existing regulations, she added.
BCLC Set for Gambling Expansion?
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), which is owned by the British Columbia government, is out to increase public participation in legal gambling, including lottery ticket purchases, to 68 percent of the adult population from 65 percent over the next three years, according to the Globe and Mail. The corporation recently released a three-year service plan revealing an agenda to turn existing casinos into lavish, multipurpose facilities, increase the number of slot machines in bingo emporiums, and dramatically expand online access to lottery tickets and simple games of chance. Despite the massive gambling expansion in the pipeline, Solicitor-General John Les, the minister in charge of gaming in B.C., said Internet gambling is not in the cards. "There will be no Internet gaming conducted by the B.C. Lottery Corporation -- period," Les said. " We are absolutely committed to responsible gaming."
'No Chance in Hell'
The Las Vegas Sun in February quoted American Gaming Association president Frank Fahrenkopf as saying the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) does not "have a chance in hell" to secure a poker carve-out from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Fahrenkopf was reportedly responding to PPA president Michael Bolcerek's statement regarding his discussions with U.S. state legislators at the NCLGS winter meeting in Duck Key, Fla. in January. Fahrenkopf said that the AGA was pushing for a study to assess whether the I-gaming industry has the technological wherewithal to address both problem and underage gambling. Regardless of the study's outcome, Fahrenkopf said, U.S. I-gaming regulation is not inevitable.
Svenska Spel Institutes Age Limit Policy
Svenska Spel on Feb. 1 implemented a general age limit for all of its online products, in an effort to adhere to responsible gambling practices. The company has from its 1986 inception made its sports betting games available only to those who were 18 or older. And in May 1999 when the company went online, it kept similar age limits for all of its online offerings. However, lotto, keno and pools never had any restrictions if and when played at retail outlets; but now, retailers will be required to request identification from anyone who looks younger than 23.
Gambling Commission to Hold Consultation Workshops
The U.K. Gambling Commission is planning to hold two workshops focusing on its consultation document "Gambling advertisements and the impact on responsible gambling," which addresses the issues that operators and the Commission face with advertising in relation to the key values of keeping crime out of gambling and ensuring responsible gambling. The consultation closes on March 6.