What's New? - January 2010

Sources report that two Iowa Senators (Dem) have introduced separate measures seeking to give the state Racing and Gaming Commission authority to allow state-licensed racetracks and riverboat casinos to offer sports betting to patrons if a federal prohibition is lifted. Read more ..

Sources report that a senior Republican lawmaker is blocking appointment of four Treasury positions because of a fight with the Obama administration over online gambling regulations. Read more ..

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has issued a press release about their publication on Wednesday, 27th January of an independent report into the impact of betting on sport, notably from a commercial and integrity perspective within the European Union. This report will be presented at the Betting Show in London.

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has announced in a press release that it will consider mounting a legal challenge if the French gambling bill is passed in its current form.

“The French Government has made it clear that it has no real intention of liberalising the French online gambling market, but plans to retain a monopoly system in everything but name. This can only be detrimental to French consumers and raises the question of whether the reform is only a pretext for protecting the existing monopolists, FDJ and PMU. At each stage of the legislative process the prospects for a consumer-friendly market only seem to worsen. We reluctantly instructed local French counsel to look into the draft provisions which, as the initial advice indicated, are discriminatory, anticompetitive and create concerns about the ability to provide services in France,” stated Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive of the RGA.

Read the RGA Press Release.