Despite the fact regulated gambling markets haven’t yet launched in Argentina, the government has already planned a dramatic tax hike.

Though the city and province of Buenos Aires are in the process of rolling out regulating online gambling, the rest of the country still lacks any kind of framework. But, that didn’t stop Minister of Finance Martín Guzmán, pushing for online gambling tax to be more than doubled from 2% to 5% in the draft budget. 

Guzmán’s proposal is for 95% of revenue generated by online gambling tax will be shared out among the country’s provinces, with the remaining 5% invested in Arsat, the state-owned telecoms company. 

As things stand, the Argentine online gambling sector is believed to generate around $2.4B USD in annual revenue (according to Política Online), but because it is still almost entirely unregulated, it generates virtually no tax. 

The original online gambling tax was passed into law in 2016, and includes a higher tax rate of 10% for offshore gambling companies – though this is obviously unworkable. However, the authorities are promising to get tough for 2021, claiming they will be able to track online bets through mobile phone SIM cards or IP addresses, and bank and billing data. 

Staying with Argentine online gaming, in September, authorities in Buenos Aires amended the proposed online gambling framework, opening licenses to local land-based operators. Original plans had excluded them in order to “avoid monopolistic practices,” and attracted more experienced international operators. 

AYO.NEWS says:

More than doubling the tax rate before you’ve even launched your regulated online gambling markets probably isn’t the best way of attracting investment! 

It just goes to show two things are the same in almost every country right now, 1) the gambling industry is seen as a cash cow, 2) politicians are desperate to raise tax revenues because of the economic crisis of their own making. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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The Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) has confirmed it is considering allowing casinos to offer online gambling domestically. 

Though many online gambling operators are based in the Philippines, they are not permitted to offer services to Philippine residents. However, PAGCOR says it has received several requests from casino operators to allow locals to gamble online, in order to mitigate the financial impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. 

Local land-based casinos were ordered to close in March, and were not permitted to re-open until the end of August, but are only allowed to operate at 30% capacity and are subject to numerous other restrictions. Now, the Philippines, like other countries globally, is battling a resurgence of COVID-19 recently, and tourist numbers have plummeted, meaning operators are struggling to stay afloat. 

The regulator says its various departments are currently studying the viability of the proposals, and it is already in the process of evaluating the legalisation of streaming sabong (cockfighting) events in authorised arenas. 

Sources close to PAGCOR say that if anything is going to change it will likely happen soon. However, it is thought that the country’s president, Rodrigo Duterte, is opposed to an expansion of gambling in the country, and may block any attempts to allow casinos to offer online gambling to Philippine residents. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Will Duterte block any move to legalise online gambling for Philippine residents, or will the growing economic crisis override his moral objection to online gambling? Though Duterte isn’t exactly known for softening his stance or changing his mind, we have seen politicians in other countries change their mind on gambling for the sake of tax revenues and jobs. 

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SportsTech business Stats Perform has pledged full support for the new International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) Data Standards Process. 

The London-based company, which is an Affiliate Member of the IBIA, has confirmed it will be immediately applying to the IBIA’s independent audit process, led by eCogra, to achieve the Data Standards Kitemark and demonstrate that it meets and goes beyond those standards in its betting data operations. 

In May, IBIA launched a project to create a set of standards to help ensure the integrity of sports, its data, and the associated betting markets. You can find the complete data standards here. 

Discussing the new standards Chief Betting Officer at Stats Perform, Andrew Ashenden, said:

“Implemented and monitored effectively, a global set of standards would contribute positively across the sports and betting industries from an integrity perspective. 

“At Stats Perform, we have a longstanding programme of investment in maintaining the strongest quality assurance and integrity processes across our data supply chain. We look forward to working with the IBIA on best practices going forward and to demonstrate through the independent audit process how Stats Perform is going the extra mile to ensure the reliability and credibility of its data.”

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has concluded its investigation into BGO Entertainment Limited, GAN PLC, and NetBet Enterprises Limited.

According to the UKGC, the three operators were investigated for failures in social responsibility and anti-money laundering procedures, which occurred between September 2018 and March 2020. 

In response to the failings, the UKGC has imposed stricter license conditions for BGO and GAN, and ordered all three to overhaul their policies and procedures to ensure they are fully compliant. 

All three operators will also be required to make payments to progress the world of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. 

Furthermore, the commission will also be reviewing the actions taken by the individual Personal Management License holders. 

Commenting on the investigations, executive director of the UKGC, Richard Watson, said:

“Licensees must protect consumers from harm and treat them fairly.

“Our recent investigations uncovered a variety of consumer protection and anti-money laundering failings at each of these three operators and as a result we are using a range of enforcement tools against them. 

“We will continue to crack down on failing operators through our tough and proactive compliance and enforcement work.”

AYO.NEWS says:

While the operators involved are probably breathing a sigh of relief that the sanctions weren’t harsher, these investigations once again underline just what a minefield the UK market has become for operators. 

Illustrating this, last week Stockholm-based operator Betsson announced it was immediately withdrawing eight of its nine brands from the UK, and handing back three of its four UK licenses, citing the unsustainable investments needed to remain compliant in the jurisdiction’s constantly changing regulatory environment. 

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English Championship club Swansea City has partnered with The Big Step initiative to tackle problem gambling.

The football-focused partnership with The Big Step, which is part of the Gambling with Lives Charity, aims to raise awareness and provide education regarding the risks associated with gambling. Set to run for 18 months, the gambling harms prevention program will be delivered by recovering gambling addict, and Swansea supporter, Nick Phillips. 

Formed in September by individuals with experience of living with gambling related harm, The Big Step Project recently organised a 130-mile walk to publicise its call for an end to gambling sponsorships and advertisements in football. 

Talking about the aims of the project, Senior Program Manager at Gambling with Lives, and The Big Step Founder, James Grimes, said:

“As a recovering gambling addict, I am passionate about preventing young people going through the same thing that I did. This partnership will show how football can be a positive social vehicle in preventing and reducing gambling harms in its community through our education, awareness and signposting work.”

While Swansea East MP, Carolyn Harris, added:

“This programme will play a critical role in ensuring that young people are made aware of the real risks of gambling and gambling addiction.”

As previously reported, in August Swansea City ditched gambling sponsorships, ending its relationship with YoBet, and replacing it with a sponsorship from Swansea University. 

AYO.NEWS says:

While we totally support increased education around gambling, as we’ve argued many times, a ban on gambling sponsorships and advertisements is a bridge too far. The UK already has one of the strictest and most effective regulatory regimes – both in terms of gambling-specific rules, and general advertising and marketing standards – despite what vehement anti-gambling crusaders say. 

Time and again we come down to the fundamental truth that it is not the place of the state to prevent people taking responsibility for their own actions. People do many things which can become addictive and damage themselves and those around them, but banning things for the masses because of the problems encountered by a minority (and it truly is a minority, again, despite how it is portrayed by those ideologically opposed to gambling) is a ridiculous approach that can only end in a dystopian nightmare of long-term unintended consequences. 

Of course, as with everything from excessive drinking, smoking, drugs use, and financial management, if we expect people to be able to exercise self-control and rational judgement, we need an education system that is thorough and effective. The real problem the UK, and many other countries, is that they are fundamentally failing to provide effective education for youngsters. And, that is largely the fault of successive generations of politicians. 

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Ivan Rudyi has been elected Chairman of the Commission on the Ukrainian Gambling and Lotteries Commission (UGLC).

Rudyi is a former military general, who commanded the country’s ATO anti-terrorist unit, which has been heavily engaged in combat against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass Conflict. Before joining up, he was an executive producer with Ukraine TV. 

The Kiev-based UGLC will be responsible for monitoring all licensed gambling in the newly regulated market, and is currently attempting to fill some 230 positions, including six regional directors. 

Commenting on the appointment, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, Oleg Nemchynov, said:

“Today, in addition to the next government meeting, we also had an extraordinary one, at which we considered several personnel issues. One of them was the announcement of preliminary results of selection for the post of the chairman and members of the Commission on the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. 

“Based on the results of this meeting, (candidates) were recommended out of 378 persons who submitted their CVs and applications, and out of 42 persons who were admitted. In particular, 20 persons were submitted to the post of the head of the commission, 32 persons were submitted to the members of the commission.”

Olena Vodolashko and Yevhen Hetman have also been recommended for appointment as commission members. 

AYO.NEWS says:

As previously reported, the Ukrainian government has already made it clear it wants to keep Russian involvement out of its gambling industry, and the appointment of Rudyi seems very much to underline they are serious about it!

Though Ukraine has long been a technical services hub for gambling operators, and has a deeply embedded local gambling culture, the upcoming establishment of an organised, regulated framework offers the potential of the country becoming a major online market in its own right. 

Earlier today, we reported on the upcoming CIS edition of the world’s largest online betting and gaming event, SBC Digital Summit, which is scheduled for the 4-5 November, and will shine a spotlight on opportunities in Ukraine, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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