WEBMASTER WORLD
of gross profits was also introduced
on 1 December 2014. Despite the
unsuccessful challenge to the licensing
regime, the GBGA is now attempting
thwart the implementation of the point
of consumption tax and has been granted
permission to pursue a judicial review of
the tax. The Treasury is confident that it
can defend its position however.
GREECE
Regulated Gambling Products: Sports
betting, horse race betting and lottery
Operator Type: All products are exclusively
reserved for the monopoly providers
although 24 transitional licences for
private operators remain active, whereby
all gambling products are permitted.
Status: The licensing regime in Greece
(like Germany) is also in a state of flux. The
Greek government granted 24 transitional
licences to operators in December 2012
enabling them to keep transacting with
Greek residents. However, in March 2013,
the government notified draft legislation
to the EC which effectively rescinds
the transitional licences; a position
criticised by the EC. In an attempt to
end the uncertainty it is understood the
government plans to issue draft legislation
which will provide for a tender process
for online licences and end the on-going
transitional position. However, following
the monopoly’s recent victories in the
land-based environment, the fate of the 24
transitional licences is still unclear.
HUNGARY
Regulated Gambling Products: Sports
betting, horse race betting, poker, casino,
bingo and lottery.
Operator Type: Only the state monopoly,
Szerencsejáték Zrt. and local concession
companies can apply for a licence.
Status: On 26 June 2013, the Hungarian
National Assembly adopted a draft bill
making the licensing regime more
liberal, which is now subject to a three
month standstill period. In October
2014, the Ministry of National Economy
proposed new legal amendments that
would give Hungary’s national lottery
the exclusive right to offer online sports
betting, and land-based operators the
exclusive right to offer online casino
games. Further developments are
awaited. ISP blocking of unlicensed sites
has been in place since June 2014.
IRELAND
Regulated Gambling Products: Online
gambling is not specifically accounted for
in Ireland’s outdated legislation and as
such all products are currently unregulated.
Status: Ireland is in the process of
updating its legislation which will create
a comprehensive online gambling
regime and payment restrictions. It is
not anticipated that the legislation will be
introduced before 2015.
ITALY
Regulated Gambling Products: Sports
betting, horse race betting, poker, casino,
bingo and lottery.
Operator Type: All products are available
to private operators save for lottery which
is reserved for the monopoly provider.
However, it is currently not possible to
obtain a licence in Italy.
Status: Italy is a fully regulated market.
Italy extended the number of betting
markets available to its residents last
year and the regulator has just approved
regulations allowing it to certify bets
where the result is not available
through official sources of information
by means of “elements, news and
information objectively verifiable”.
A development expected to further
stimulate the betting market.
LATVIA
Regulated Gambling Products: Sports
betting, horse race betting, poker, casino,
bi