their Portuguese revenue streams are subject to comparatively high tax rates , particularly in sports betting .
ROMANIA REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Any operator from an EU / EEA jurisdiction or the Swiss Confederation can apply for a licence . Lottery games are reserved for the monopoly . STATUS : The Gambling Law ( as amended ) introduced a legal framework for a fully regulated online gambling market and requires licences to be held by online gambling operators , as well as software providers , payment processors , affiliates and testing labs . The secondary legislation that implemented the current licensing regime came into force on 26 February 2016 . The gambling regulator polices the regime and notifies ISPs to block blacklisted websites . In February 2023 , the Senate discussed proposals that seek to : ( i ) introduce a ban on gambling advertising between 6am to 11pm ( save for certain exceptions – e . g . during live sports broadcasts ); and ( ii ) restrict the use of celebrities and public figures from promoting gambling . New amendments to the primary gambling legislation came into force on 6 October 2023 , most notably : ( i ) Class 1 ( B2C ) licensees will now be required to have a permanent establishment in Romania for tax purposes within six months ( i . e . by 6 April 2024 ) and ( ii ) annual licensing fees and responsible gambling contribution fees will increase .
SLOVAKIA REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Private operators can apply for licences for online casino as of 1 March 2019 and for sports betting licences from 1 July 2019 . Lottery and bingo remain reserved for the monopoly provider .
STATUS : The Gambling Law came into force on 1 March 2019 . It allows private operators outside of Slovakia to apply for licences for sports betting and casino , although sports betting licences did not take effect until 1 July 2020 . In July 2022 , the Slovakian gambling regulator created a whitelist of websites that are run by licensed operators in Slovakia .
SLOVENIA REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Sports betting , horse race betting , poker , casino , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Online gambling must be operated by land-based casinos or lotteries and , as a result , only the monopoly holds online licences in Slovenia . STATUS : The requirement that only landbased Slovenian operators are eligible for licences is considered by some to be incompatible with EU law . In September 2021 , draft amendments to the Gaming Act were published by the government that seek to address the Act ’ s compatibility with EU law . Little progress has been made since the draft amendments were published .
SPAIN 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 : Operators must hold a general licence and a specific licence , both issued by the National Gambling Commission , for each activity . Remote gambling licences are granted within specific application windows . The last tender process for applications closed on 18 December 2018 . In November 2020 , Spain introduced restrictions on gambling advertising , sports sponsorship and welcome bonuses . In March 2023 , the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree that aims to strengthen responsible gambling measures in Spain . The Royal Decree was scheduled to
enter into force on 14 September 2023 . The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs recently invited comments on a proposal to introduce a universal ‘ economic limit ’ – i . e . whereby a customer ’ s deposit limit would apply universally across all operators . The consultation period closed on 13 April 2023 .
SWEDEN REGULATED GAMBLING PRODUCTS : Betting ( including sports , horse race , pool , exchanges ), casino , poker , bingo and lottery . OPERATOR TYPE : Licences are available for private operators . STATUS : As of 1 January 2019 , Sweden is a fully regulated market . All gambling operators that wish to offer their services to Swedish residents will be required to obtain a licence in order to validly do so ( either a ‘ betting ’ licence or a ‘ commercial online games ’ licence ). Active enforcement measures are in place . On 1 July 2023 : ( i ) provisions amending Sweden ’ s Gambling Act that introduce a B2B licensing regime for online software suppliers entered into effect ; and ( ii ) regulations that grant the Swedish gambling regulator greater supervisory powers ( e . g . the ability to carry out test purchases anonymously ) took effect .
WIGGIN
is a law firm dedicated to supporting the media , entertainment and gaming sectors . Its market-leading betting and gaming group provides specialist legal services to an array of gambling industry stakeholders . We advise many of the world ’ s leading gambling operators and suppliers and also enjoy helping entrepreneurial , interactive start-up businesses . If you ’ d like to hear more , contact us at gambling @ wiggin . co . uk
iGB AFFILIATE LONDON 2024 • ISSUE 94 • 113