STRICTER REGULATION FOR ESTONIA
24 October 2008
New Years Day 2009 will see more control
The Estonian Riigikogu has approved stronger
regulatory measures for the country's gambling industry,
replacing laws that were described as unfit for purpose.
The new law now awaits only the presidents imprimatur
before implementation commences.
Key among the changes is the regulation for the first
time of Internet gambling, together with strict new
requirements for private operators of land-based casinos
and off-track betting facilities. Lottery games will
remain a state monopoly.
Minimum capital requirements for new operators have been
set at a minimum Euro 1 million, a rise on the existing
Eruo 128 000 of almost 800 percent. The minimum number
of gaming machines in any licensed venue has been
increased from 8 to 20, from January 1, and this will be
hiked to 40 by July 1, 2010 - measures designed to
discourage small and hard to monitor operators, which
could result in driving many venues out of business.
Legislators debating the changes pointed to estimated
problem gambling rates in Estonia of over 6 percent of
the adult population.
News is awaited on the Czech parliament's decision on
legalising and regulating online gambling. Recently the
Czech lottery operator Sazka, hopeful that upcoming
legislation will legalise online gambling in the
country, announced plans to launch a new play-for-fun
online casino branded E-Sazka.cz.
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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