Irish Punters Bet Big on FOBTs

In 2014, punters in Northern Ireland bet more than a half-billion pounds on high-stakes fixed-odds betting terminals, known as FOBTs. Now a social activist group wants the government to...

Published February 16, 2015

Czech Ministry to Tweak Tax Rates

The Czech Ministry of Finance is considering a change in the tax rates for gaming enterprises. Many taxes may rise. Some may actually fall. And the rate on lottery...

Published February 16, 2015

Swedish Lottery Confirms Expansion Rumors

Svenska Spel, the Swedish national lottery, will offer expanded online casino games beyond its current bingo, poker, lotteries and sports betting. The lottery hopes to attract new players, which...

Published February 16, 2015

Austrian State of Tirol to Ban In-Play Sports Betting

The Austrian state of Tirol plans to amend it gaming laws to ban live in-play betting online and at stores and at matches. The move is a response to...

Published February 16, 2015

No Anarchy in the UK

The UK Gambling Commission is taking measures to help players apply for self-exclusion from gambling. By 2017, online bookmakers must have a plan in place to help players, while...

Published February 16, 2015

U.K.: Big 4 Bookies Want Broader Ad Restrictions

Britain’s four biggest bookmakers say smaller bookies should conform with stricter controls they themselves have adopted. They want the little guys to restrict their advertising and address issues of...

Published February 9, 2015

Gaming Machines Make Scottish Bookies More Money Than Racing

Scotland’s bookies get more business from players using odds betting terminals than on those betting on the races according to statistics recently released.

Published February 9, 2015

Greek Casinos Continue Downward Spiral

Greece’s economic crisis plus a spike in illegal gambling are behind the continuing downslide in revenues at the country’s nine licensed casinos, including Casino Loutraki (l.). The gaming halls...

Published February 2, 2015

Romania to OK Online Bets

Romania’s legalization of online gaming may not be the windfall the government is hoping for. Critics of the new policy point out that Romanians’ appetite for gaming has dropped...

Published February 2, 2015

Czech Republic to Tax Rogue Gaming Operators

The Czech Republic is taking a hard line on unlicensed gaming operators in the country. The Ministry of Finance plans to levy a tax on the companies to compensate...

Published February 2, 2015

Olympic Casino Coming to Malta

Eden Leisure has signed a management agreement with Olympic Casino to operate Malta’s biggest casino. The gaming arm of Olympic Entertainment and Chairman Armen Karu (l.) is a leading...

Published January 26, 2015

Cyprus Readies Casino Approval

A bill to allow a casino in Cyprus has been approved by the Council of Ministers and presented to the House of Representatives for enactment.

Published January 19, 2015

Bookies Self-Police to Ward Off Regs

British bookmakers have come up with a novel approach to ward off increased government regulations: an all-out campaign against problem gambling. The multimedia campaign is being sponsored by the...

Published January 19, 2015

UK Researcher Warns Against Drawing Conclusions from Betting Stake Study

A researcher of a UK study that looked at how the size of stakes affects a gambler’s judgment says to be careful what conclusions to draw from the results.

Published January 19, 2015

Denmark Establishes Monthly Taxation

Starting next month, licensed operators in Denmark will pay duties for online betting and casino on the 15th of the month instead of weekly. The amendment was agreed to...

Published January 12, 2015

Catalonia: BCN World Still On Track

Despite the departure of main investor Veremonte, the mammoth BCN World project outside Barcelona will go forward, according to the regional government of Catalonia. The Generalitat and La Caixaa...

Published January 5, 2015

UK Gaming Tax Causes Uproar

One of the last independent bookmakers in London warns that he and fellow bookies could go out of business when a new gaming tax is levied this spring. A...

Published January 5, 2015

Andorra Considers Legal Gaming

The Andorran legislature is looking at a draft bill that would permit one casino in the European microstate, which already has a flourishing tourism industry.

Published January 5, 2015

Campaign Addresses Problem Gambling in Britain

Britain’s top gaming firms are behind a new campaign against compulsive gambling. The Senet Group, a unit of William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power, is behind a new...

Published January 5, 2015

Czech Republic Considers Gambling Tax Increase

A proposal from the Czech Republic Finance minister to increase the country’s gambling tax to 30 percent to 40 percent of gross win is scheduled to be considered by...

Published January 5, 2015