Global gambling legislation news – Week ending April 21

Each week we take a look at what has been happening around the world in terms of laws and regulation changes in the gambling industry. Every single country has its own laws and views on gambling, both online and offline, and by comparing them we can only advance. Stay informed by visiting our site each week and if you have any news to share send an email to [email protected] or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

This week is an interesting one with Cambodia angering both its neighbouring countries, Thailand and Vietnam with two new casinos. Uganda has decided it wants to tax players, not just gambling operators and Australia is going to ban gambling ads from live sporting events. Meanwhile, in America, one state is challenging the no gambling policies in place.

Australia plans to ban gambling ads during live sporting events

Media outlets in Australia have reported that the government is planning to ban gambling ads from the start to finish of live sporting events. Both free to air and pay TV networks are against the siren to siren ban, as are the Australian sporting codes. The plans for the gambling ad ban will be presented next week.

An American state has found a loophole in the gambling laws

Pennsylvanian legislators have been rallying to authorise online gambling but Senate Majority Leader, Jake Corman, said the Senate may vote out a bill next week which would allow it. On Monday, Florida’s House and Senate leaders met to discuss what needed to be negotiated in relation to the two chambers’ different views on gambling legislation. The House wants to give permission to the Seminole Tribe to operate card games for another 20 years, while the Senate wants to allow slots at pari-mutuels in the eight counties.

In Texas, a new casino based in the surrounding waters of the state has been forced to return back to port. Jacks or Better casino cruise is legally allowed to run since it is located nine miles offshore. This means Texas strict gambling laws don’t apply and punters can gamble on the tables, slots and even sports. But when the cruise took off it hit a buoy and had to return. The company released a statement which said none of the guests were injured.

Japan to take over Macau as gambling powerhouse

On Wednesday Global Market Advisors (GMA) released a white paper called “White Paper: Japan Integrated Resorts”. The report details what we already know – Japan’s Osaka strip could do better than Macau. Revenue projections are available in the report and are based on a number of scenarios. But we won’t get a better projection until Japan sets the national framework for the casinos set to be released later this year.

Iceland business tries to claim tax on betting losses

Iceland’s tax authority, Ríkisskattstjóri, is denying a financial company from counting betting losses as a business expense. The company reported ISK250 million in wagering losses involving the online betting exchange Betfair.

UK bookmakers off the hook for the time being

Bookmakers based in the UK can breathe a sigh of relief regarding their fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT). The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would be delivering a triennial review of its gambling industry within the coming months. This included a controversial debate over the maximum bet on FOBT to be reduced from £100 to just £2. But on Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May called for a fresh general election stalling any review until later this year.

New Cambodian casino sparks trade war

A new Cambodian casino which opened earlier this month in the province of Oddar Meanchea, directly across the border from Thailand’s Buriram region has sparked a small trade war between the two countries. Cambodia prohibits locals from gambling so the new Saitaku Resort and Casino will depend on Thai gamblers. But Thailand responded by barring citizens from making the journey over the Chong Sai Taku checkpoint to go to the casino. At the opening, there were 300 VIP guests who could go, but Thai border guards stopped non-invited guests from visiting.

The country may spark another war with its other neighbour thanks to a new $200 million casino being built near the border of Vietnam. US casino developer, Virtue Resources Corp, will construct the 50-hectare casino resort known as Empire World City.

Indian state bans locals from floating casinos

Goa has around six floating casinos in the state but now the government has started the legislative process to prevent locals from entering them. Legislators are drafting the gaming commission rules, which will then be sent to cabinet. While the ban has not yet been enforced, it is expected to be very soon.

Uganda wants to tax the players, not just the operators

The Income Tax Amendment bill 2017 proposed by Uganda’s Ministry of Finance will see both operators and players paying tax. Gambling operators currently pay 35 percent tax on all gambling revenue, but this will drop to 20 percent, while players will have to pay 15 percent.