WEBMASTER WORLD
GREECE
IRELAND
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 European Commission which
effectively rescinds the transitional
licences; a position criticised by the
European Commission.
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 landbased environment, the fate of the 24
transitional licences is still unclear.
Regulated Gambling Products: Online
gaming is not specifically accounted for
in Ireland’s outdated legislation and as
such is currently unregulated. Online
betting is in the process of becoming a
regulated activity.
Status: Ireland is in the process of
updating its legislation which will create
a comprehensive online gambling regime
and payment restrictions. The Betting
Amendment Bill was passed on 5 March
2015 and now awaits the President’s
signature. A licensing regime from
remote bookmakers will be implemented
later in 2015.
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.
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 has recently announced a
changes to its tax system to move from
a turnover-based tax to GGR-based.
The previous restrictions on the type of
events/markets on which bookmakers
can offer odds is possibly to be abolished,
AAMS have announced.
LUXEMBOURG
Regulated Gambling Products: Lottery
Operator Type: Monopoly