Tag Archives: european commission

GGL brands Malta Bill-55 a “protective shield incompatible with EU laws”

GGL

Gluecksspiel (GGL),  the Federal Authority of German gambling, maintains its opinion that Malta’s ‘Bill-55’ is incompatible with European Union laws and member-state protections.  Signed in June by Malta President George Vella, Bill-55, titled the “Gaming Amendment Bill’ allows Maltese courts to “refuse the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements related to the online gambling sector.” As such, the Act prevents enforcement …

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Swedish Inspectorate hires Kristina Geiger to establish new support unit

SBC News Swedish Inspectorate hires Kristina Geiger to establish new support unit

Spelinspektionen Sweden’s Gambling Inspectorate has confirmed the appointment of Kristina Geiger as the head of a “new department for operational support”. Geiger joins the Inspectorate’s senior management team, previously holding the position of Treasurer at the Statens Historiska Museum from 2021 to 2023. A seasoned member of Sweden’s civil service, Geiger has held various senior management roles and led departmental …

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Belgium to blackout gambling advertising from 1 July  

SBC News Belgium to blackout gambling advertising from 1 July  

Belgium will introduce a ban on all forms of gambling advertising/marketing from 1 July, to be applied across all media platforms.  The government announced its decision yesterday via its official gazette, confirming that from the set date, Belgium will apply Europe’s toughest advertising rules for gambling. As such, a blanket ban on all forms of gambling advertising will be applied …

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Payment Expert: PSD2 merger sees EC simplify e-payment rules.

SBC News Payment Expert: PSD2 merger sees EC simplify e-payment rules.

European-licensed online gambling businesses have been alerted that the European Banking Authority (EBA) has called for its PSD2 supervision framework to be merged with the EU’s Electronic Money Directive.  The EBA, which serves as the regulatory agency for financial services of the EU, has recommended the merger of its e-payment supervisory schemes,  in response to stakeholder feedback and the ‘increasing …

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Winning Post: Germany’s tax challenge… dumm und dummer

SBC News Winning Post: Germany’s tax challenge… dumm und dummer

Last week, online gambling trade associations demanded that the European Commission (EC) intervene and order German lawmakers to justify a discriminatory 5.3% turnover tax on online casino and poker verticals. Though market stakeholders may get their desired response on taxes, Regulus Partners states that an EU-level intervention will have little to no impact on Germany’s illogical approach to adopting a …

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EGBA orders EC complaint against Bundesrat discriminative tax

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA

The European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) has disclosed its formal complaint submitted to the European Commission (EC) in relation to the German Bundesrat (federal council) proposing to set a 5.3% tax on online poker and slots stakes.  The Brussels-based trade association had previously warned the Bundesrat to terminate its proposed tax charge, which has been deemed to be non-compliant …

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EC probe demands Germany justify its online gambling tax regime

SBC News EC probe demands Germany justify its online gambling tax regime

An intervention by the European Commission may force Germany’s Bundesrat (federal council) to delay its final vote on approving its proposed 5.3% tax charge on player stakes, to be enforced on online slots and poker verticals. The controversial tax charge, remains the outstanding issue for Germany’s Bundesländer (state governments) to resolve in order for all provisions of the Fourth Interstate …

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IBIA enhances reach with integration of Gaming1

SBC News IBIA enhances reach with integration of Gaming1

The International Betting Integrity Agency (IBIA) has enhanced its global reach and presence via the addition of Gaming1, a prominent Belgian gaming operator. Part of the Argent Group, Gaming1 maintains a large portfolio focusing on the European and American markets, including both retail and online sports betting brands such as Circus and Zamba. Gaming1’s brands will feed into the IBIA’s …

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European Lotteries unites with WoTA and ECA to target illegal gambling

SBC News European Lotteries unites with WoTA and ECA to target illegal gambling

The European Lotteries (EL), World Tote Association (WoTA) and European Casinos Association (ECA) have joined forces to fight illegal gambling in Europe. All three bodies have welcomed the European Commission’s Digital Services Act, which it intends to use to modernise the rules applicable to the online gambling environment. The Act aims to introduce a notice-and-action mechanism that will enable all …

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EGBA welcomes European Commission’s DSA proposals

DSA

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed new proposals made in the European Commission’s proposals for a Digital Services Act (DSA). The publication of the proposals follows on from the Commission’s calls for ‘an ambitious reform of the digital space’.  The long-awaited legislative proposal, which will support the Digital Markets Act, will introduce rules for regulating large digital …

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