Global gambling legislation news – week ending October 6

WANT to know all the changes regarding online casino gambling and land-based gaming? Our weekly column covers a range of topics and reports all the latest news in a condensed article so you can get caught up quickly.

If you have a news story of your own, or any information you think could make a story, send an email to [email protected] or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

This week, a brand new betting site, Neds, launched in Australia, offering incredible features. In the US, professional poker player Dan Bilzerian was caught up in the horrific shooting which took place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have banned its citizens from visiting a brand new casino in South Korea due to the US-North Korea conflict. Keep reading to find out more:

Australia gets Neds.com.au – a new betting site

A brand new bookmaker launched in Australia this week, known as Neds. The online betting site features a good range of Australian horse racing markets, as well as International options and greyhound odds too. You will also find a variety of sports, with a strong focus on American sports betting including National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) markets – if you’re an international reader you may be able to sign up, so read the terms and conditions to find out.

The New South Wales state government is considering its own ban on Lottoland – the Gilbratar-based lottery site which has caused controversy since it was introduced. The online lottery betting site is licensed in the Northern Territory, but other states and territories are questioning its operations as it has caused a dip in government tax revenue.

Professional poker player caught up in Las Vegas massacre

On Monday, the world woke up to the horrifying scenes of a massacre in Las Vegas. A lone gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, fired an automatic weapon into the crowds who were enjoying the Route 91 festival at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, killing 59 people and injuring more than 500. Professional poker player, Dan Bilzerian was among the festival crowd when Paddock started shooting and took to his Instagram to live stream the events. He was visibly puffed as he exclaimed that a woman got shot in front of him and he said he was going to get a gun to get the guy. Several more videos accompanied his first recount, which were later slammed by war hero, Dakota Meyer.

Despite the terrifying incident which resulted in a lock down of the Las Vegas strip, the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), along with other scheduled events, went ahead. Along with new product launches including a Magic Johnson slot, the American Gaming Association discussed legalising sports betting in the US. The AGA CEO, Geoff Freeman, said that it will no longer be playing defence when it comes to repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Freeman announced the Strategic plan 2020 which includes an increase in lobbying efforts to allow individual states to legalise sports betting.

On the topic of US sports betting, a new report has revealed that it could be legalised in 32 states within five years if New Jersey wins its Supreme Court appeal against PASPA. The Eilers and Krejcik Gaming report found that a regulated industry would be worth more than $6 billion. It added that it could be worth between $7.1 billion and $15.8 billion if all 50 states legalise sports betting. While significant, it is a lot less than the $50 billion estimated by the AGA.

Japanese problem gambling rates exaggerated

A problem gambling study has exacerbated incidence rates in Japan, which could be detrimental to the casino industry. According to Ministry of Health researchers, over three million Japanese citizens have a gambling problem. But on closer inspection it appears the criteria used in the study has inflated this number. The study states that 3.6 percent of the 4685 respondents were suspected of having a gambling addiction at least once in their life. However, many of the people classified as addicts hadn’t gambled for years and only 0.8 percent of people indicated a real problem, which brings the numbers down to 700,000 Japanese with a problem.

Canadian casino opens to the public

The British Columbia government has launched an investigation into money laundering activities occurring in land-based casinos. However, former director of casino investigations at the BC Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch, Ed Rampone, believes more needs to be done to stamp out criminal activity. Rampone told CBC, Canada’s politicians had not done enough to combat money laundering.

Casino resort Parq Vancouver in Canada has officially opened. The $CAD640 million gambling facility is spread out across 30,000 square feet and features 600 real money slots, 75 gaming tables, a dedicated poker room and 11 VIP rooms. The casino has been designed to let natural light in, a unique feature for a land-based gambling venue to have.

UK gambling industry faces reforms

The UK gambling industry is facing the threat of advertising restrictions, maximum stake reductions on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) and more due to the impending government triennial review. Multiple reports have been released on problem gambling rates and more recently a report on betting shop staff’s inability to pick up on problem gambling behaviour. Now even gambling companies are calling for new reforms, with The Rank Group CEO, Henry Birch calling for a review due to outdated legislation.

GambleAware has named one of the reports we mentioned above as a ‘wake up call’ for the UK gambling industry. The UK charity performed the report on staff being unable to identify problem gambling behaviour, and also found punters believe the current promotion of responsible gambling is vague. GambleAware highlighted that staff are not confident in talking to customers about responsible gambling and wants operators to do more to tackle this issue.

Peru regulator wants a gambling crackdown

Peru’s online gambling regulator, Casino Games and Slot Machines or de Juegos de Casino y Máquinas Tragamonedas (DGJCMT) wants the country’s lawmakers to restrict online gambling operations to companies which have a physical presence for tax purposes. A draft bill regulating online sports betting and casino gambling, which operate in a grey market in Peru, is reportedly in the works with input from the Financial Intelligence Unit. The regulator has reportedly said legislation has been in the works before, so it’s not clear if this is fake news.

Online gambling officially banned in Uruguay

Online gambling and poker tournament sites have been officially banned in Uruguay after President Tabaré Vázquez reportedly signed the country’s new gambling bill into law. Online roulette, blackjack and other casino games are ‘absolutely prohibited’ under the new legislation. Only state-owned La Banca de Quinielas can provide gambling services to Uruguayans, and only a selection of sports betting markets at that.

Chinese banned from South Korean casino

Beijing officials have banned Chinese citizens from a brand new multi-billion-dollar casino resort, expected to open completely by 2019. According to the South China Morning Post, the political tension between China and South Korea over the North Korea and US conflict is the reason behind the prohibition. The casino would have made a large amount of revenue from Chinese tourists, but due to the ban it will now have to rely on the local market.

Cricket associations silent over sports betting issue

Several cricket associations have reportedly chosen to remain silent in response to a letter from the Law Commission of India requesting their view on legalising sports betting. The letter was sent two months ago following a recommendation from the Justice R M Lodha Committee. While some cricket associations are reportedly planning on meeting to discuss the issue, only the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has replied. The SCA expressed its concern over the proposal, stating it would have an adverse impact on society and ruin the integrity of the sport.