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REGULATION
STATUS : Ireland has contemplated updating its legislation , which will create a comprehensive igaming regime , for some time . Interim reform measures intended to modernise the regulation of gambling in Ireland entered into effect on 1 December 2020 . In February 2021 draft legislation was published ( by an opposition party ) which , if passed , would restrict most forms of gambling advertising . In October 2021 , the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill was published which covers , among other things , the planned introduction of a B2C and B2B licensing regime and the establishment of the Gambling Authority of Ireland .
ITALY REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Fully regulated market , although lotteries are the subject of a state monopoly . STATUS : Remote gambling licences are granted within specific application windows . The last tender process for applications closed on 19 March 2018 . AGCOM , the Italian communications regulator , recently issued its first sanction against an operator for violation of the advertising ban ( introduced in 2018 ). New measures to combat unlicensed gambling , including payment blocking measures , entered into effect in October 2019 . A new tax , which amounts to 0.5 % on turnover , was introduced in 2020 on all bets on sporting events ( including virtual sports ) and is expected to remain in place until 31 December 2021 .
LUXEMBOURG REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Monopoly . STATUS : The general prohibition on gambling appears sufficiently wide to cover all forms of online gambling .
MALTA REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Private operators can apply for a local licence ( except for lottery products ). STATUS : In 2018 , Malta approved a new Gaming Act that replaced all existing gaming legislation with a single piece of legislation , supplemented by secondary legislation . The Gaming Act , with directives and regulations , became effective on 1 August 2018 .
NETHERLANDS REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Private operators can apply for licences for all gambling products save for lottery . STATUS : The Remote Gambling Act , which entered into force on 1 April 2021 , set the framework for the Dutch licensing regime and market which opened on 1 October 2021 with the grant of 10 licences . Operators may now submit applications for a licence under the new regime . However , operators that have previously directly ‘ targeted ’ the Dutch market will face a 33-month cooling-off period before being eligible for a licence and may be liable to penalty for continuing to make their services available to Dutch players ( even passively ) until such time as they are licensed ..
NORWAY REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Online gambling is reserved for the two monopoly providers , Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto . STATUS : The monopoly has extended its offering to include live betting , online bingo and casino games in an attempt to redirect traffic from unlicensed sites . The Norwegian regulator continues to step up
enforcement efforts against unregulated operators , local banks and payment service providers . The government has passed amendments to try and stem the flow of gambling supply from offshore , including enhanced enforcement powers to prevent gambling advertising from abroad . Expanded payment blocking provisions entered into effect on 1 January 2020 . Draft legislation consolidating Norway ’ s various gambling laws and further strengthening the regulator ’ s powers to address unlicensed gambling ( such as through website blocking ) and the advertisement of the same was submitted to Norwegian parliament for debate and approval in June 2021 , together with related consultations in September 2021 .
POLAND REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , casino and poker . OPERATOR TYPE : Betting licences are available for companies with a representative in Poland . Casino and poker are reserved for a state monopoly . STATUS : Legislation enacted 1 January 2012 permits betting . Online gaming ( including poker ) is no longer prohibited as of 1 April 2017 , although the exclusive rights to offer such products are reserved for a state monopoly . Provisions that provide for the establishment of a blacklist of unlicensed operators and ISP and payment blocking came into force on 1 July 2017 . The blacklist contains more than 1,000 domain names .
PORTUGAL REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Any EU / EEA operator can apply for an online gambling licence . Lottery games and land-based fixedodds sports betting are reserved for the monopoly . STATUS : A regulated market since 2015 . Although operators can apply for licences ,
68 • ISSUE 89 • Q1 2022