Compliance Updates
Is Norway Breaking The EEA Agreement With Their Ban Of Online Casinos?
Norway’s gambling law is far-reaching and very strict on advertising and providing online gambling. But how legal is it when applied to the rest of Europe? With casinos able to operate on a regional basis, offering services to players in each legal jurisdiction, it’s possible Norway’s law may not be legally applied when in other jurisdictions – if the EEA decides similarly to the NAV case.
Within Norway itself, Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are the only two companies licensed to offer gambling services to Norwegian citizens. Any casinos listed on Casinotopplisten are operating in other jurisdictions outside of Norway that can freely offer gambling to any residents of a particular jurisdiction – for instance residents in Sweden can gamble at a casino licenced in Sweden for that purpose.
Legislation is ordering banks to block payments
The story in Norway is different, however – legislation goes so far as to order banks to block access to card payments for casinos and gambling establishments, even when located in another country. Given the huge scandal in court regarding social security payments to citizens visiting other countries in the EEA, could it be that the gambling law restrictions are also illegal, just like this revocation of payments was?
Complaints have been made to EEA court in the past regarding Norway’s gambling laws, but so far the country hasn’t budged. With growing pressure within the country aiming to push through changes in the law, arguing that revenue is being taken out of the country and that players will be pushed to black market casinos without proper legislation, it remains to be seen whether the government’s plans to strengthen their current model will run foul of EEA law again – as it fundamentally disagrees with it.
Further scrutiny of these laws, or any legal challenges that might succeed, stand to have a huge knock-on effect in future when it comes to Norwegian gambling legislation. There are two possible outcomes should further tightening of restrictions come in force: either the discrepancy in law and ability to apply it across non-Norwegian jurisdiction will remain in force, or the country’s laws on this issue will be declared illegal. In the NAV case, this resulted in overturning of prison sentences and refunds of incorrectly-seized funds. With estimated numbers on foreign websites offering gambling to the Norwegian market standing at between 1.7 – 2 billion NOK in 2019, the financial implications could be immense.
SOURCE Casinotopplisten.com
Leading sportsbook technology provider ready to deliver premium virtual sports offering to local operators
Altenar has achieved a significant milestone in its LatAm expansion by securing a new certification to offer sportsbook and RGS, including virtual sports in Brazil.
This development underscores Altenar’s commitment to providing cutting-edge and engaging sportsbook solutions in regulated markets, and follows a string of landmark deals with industry leaders, such as Inspired, Kiron, Leap and Sportradar.
To achieve the certification, Altenar underwent a thorough evaluation process, demonstrating the provider’s dedication to compliance and its ability to meet the stringent requirements of the Brazilian market.
The integration of virtual sports from renowned providers will further enhance Altenar’s comprehensive platform, offering a dynamic and exciting vertical for Brazilian players that can be enjoyed 24/7.
Dinos Doxiadis, Director of Product – Sportsbook and Data at Altenar, said: “We are thrilled to achieve certification for virtual sports in Brazil. This marks another significant step in our growth across Latin America and reinforces our commitment to the burgeoning region.
“By joining forces with some of the industry’s most renowned providers, we are confident in our ability to deliver an unparalleled virtual sports experience to operators and players in Brazil. This offering will complement our existing sportsbook solutions and provide further opportunities for engagement and growth in this key market.”
The post Altenar gains ground in Brazil with virtual sports certification appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has warned 711 BV, a provider of online games of chance, for showing gambling ads on a website aimed at minors. The warning followed a report from a parent who saw an advertising banner from 711 on a website linked to homework assignments from primary schools.
By law, gambling providers are not allowed to advertise to vulnerable groups, including minors. This form of advertising is considered by the KSA to be very harmful and therefore a serious violation. Taking action against such advertising and taking extra care to protect minors and young adults will be a priority for the KSA in 2025.
The 711 advertising campaign was carried out by an external partner. This party placed banners on various websites, including sites that are (partly) aimed at minors. In a conversation with the KSA, 711 indicated that it had already discovered this itself after an internal investigation and had taken measures to prevent recurrence. The provider did not report this, but should have done so: licensees are obliged to inform the KSA of errors on their part that could pose a danger to consumers.
The KSA dealt with the violation with a warning, because 711 itself had discovered and ended the violation and taken measures to prevent recurrence.
The post Dutch Regulator Issues Warning to 711 BV appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning to operators, reminding them that failure to submit regulatory returns on time may lead to penalties and further enforcement actions.
The warning follows a spate of fines against operators who have failed to submit a regulatory return in the required timeframes for each type of activity for which they hold a licence.
Since October more than ten businesses have been fined up to £750 for not correctly completing and submitting regulatory returns within the required timeframe.
John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “Despite early engagement and the issuing of advice notices, further failures to comply with the regulatory returns process were identified in these cases. Operators are expected to understand their reporting obligations and must ensure returns are submitted on time via our online portal.”
“Repeated breaches and persistent non-compliance is likely to result in escalating enforcement action.”
On 1 July 2024, Licence Condition 15.3.1 – General and regulatory returns of the Licence Conditions Codes of Practice was updated to require all licensees to submit regulatory returns on a quarterly basis replacing the previous annual basis.
The next quarterly returns are due by 28 April 2025 and can be submitted via the eServices digital service on the UKGC’s website.
The post UKGC Warns Operators Over Late Regulatory Returns appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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