Last year, Greece was one of the few European countries to ban online gambling, but it seems now that the country’s government is changing its tune. Seeing how profitable online gambling legislation has been for other countries in the European Union, Greece has now drafted its own bill that would legalize and regulate the online gambling industry in the country.

Currently, residents of Greece spend more than $4 billion each year at online gambling websites that are running illegally in the country. With the new bill, the government hopes to recover some of that lost income, using it to help recover from its current financial situation.

Despite having been bailed out last year and avoiding bankruptcy, Greece is still having a hard time repaying its loans. So, the prospect of regulating an activity that its citizens already take part in seems more than fair, as well as being a beneficial solution to the problem.

The draft bill that has been drawn up for the legislation states that 15 to 50 operators will received licenses to operate within the country. There has been no word yet on whether or not it will be passed.

PlayTech Will now be providing software for popular Italian Operator Buongiorno, which already hosts a wide range of online gaming activities online. Buongiorno currently hosts online poker and bingo and the new deal with PlayTech will see the addition of a casino games section to its website.

The deal was made this month, but will only be completed when Italy’s new online gambling laws take effect early in the new year. Then, customers in Italy will be able to experience the amazing online casino games that PlayTech is well-known for providing. Later in the year, the two companies will be working together to launch mobile applications for casino fans in Italy.

Buorgiono has over 10 years experience in gaming and PlayTech will add its online expertise to make the new casino offerings a favourite in Italy’s online gambling market.

This is a great opportunity for PlayTech, as it sees the popular online gaming designer expanding into previously untapped markets. Italy’s online gambling industry is worth millions and PlayTech is getting in from the ground up. There has yet to be any other word from other operators looking to expand into Italy’s market.

Greece is currently one of the few European countries that still has a ban on online gambling. However, the country’s government is changing its mind about things and is now planning on submitting a legislation that would regulate Greece’s online gambling industry and issue licenses to operators.

Like many countries that have recently sought out online gambling legislation, Greece is hoping to boost its economy by regulating the online casino industry. According to Bloomberg.com, the legislation will increase government revenue by €1 billion over the course of three year. After the country’s recent bailout, Greece is now struggling to pay revenue collection to the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Currently, the worth of Greece’s online gambling industry is estimated at about €4 billion. Over the years, it is expected that the country will recover more and more of that revenue from offshore operators.

This will certainly provide the country will much-needed financial relief. Other countries are also deciding to follow in Greece’s footsteps, as an increasing number of EU member states begin to regulate their online gambling markets.

Across Europe, many countries have attempted to ban online casinos in order to keep government-run monopolies intact. In order to do this, they state that online casino operators from international locations are prohibited from offering their services to players in the country. However, Cyprus hopes to ban the activity altogether, stating that online gambling opens up more doors for crime to take place in the country.

The European Union does not allow countries to ban operators from other nations from offering their services to residents. It is against the EU’s requirement for free trade among member states.

Portugal filed a similar claim, hoping to ban online casinos in hopes of maintaining the country’s low crime rate. Despite the European Union’s free trade regulations, the motion was passed and Portugal became the first European country to successfully ban online casinos.

Industry insiders are not so sure that Cyprus will be as fortunate. Many precedents have been set since Portugal’s legislations were passed and it is likely that Cyprus’ legislation to ban online gambling will be rejected.

In the UK, the government has imposed high gambling taxes on online casino operators, which has forced some of the biggest brands out of the country and towards offshore locations. The country of Denmark is trying to avoid a similar situation by attempt to reduce its tax regulations for online gambling websites, but the European Commission is convinced that there is an ulterior motive behind this move.

Currently, land-based casinos in Denmark pay 75% tax on all wagers, and the country’s government hopes to reduce the online casino industry’s taxes to 20%. While most government do the opposite to ensure that land-based casinos continue to do business, Denmark wants to keep its online gambling websites in business instead.

Online casino operators are elated at this interesting change of events, but the European Commission is not sure what to make of it. Because the situation is so strange and uncommon, the European Commission has launched an investigation into the matter.

To help with the investigation, the European Union is asking that members from other EU states weigh in on the matter. These types of investigations often take days to conduct, so the commission is looking for all the help it can get.

Netherlands was one of the few European countries to still have a ban on online gambling. It was previously believed that the country’s government would never lift the ban, but now that the Netherland has a new government in power, the option of legalized online gambling seems more plausible.

The Netherlands has a new right-winged government which believes that online gambling could present a valuable source of tax revenue to the country. Over 500 000 people in The Netherlands currently play at offshore online gambling websites and the new government believes that the country should obtain a portion of that revenue.

A source recently made a list of the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing online gambling in the country. Although the details of the pros and cons have not been released, industry insiders believe that the good must have outweighed the bad – as the government is now currently considering the idea of legalizing online gambling in the country.

In many countries, land-based casinos are against the idea of online gambling, as they are worried that they will lose business – but this is not the case in The Netherlands. Instead, land-based casinos support the idea, stating that the legalization of online gambling would improve the reputation of the industry at large.

Greece is the latest country in Europe to consider the option of legalizing, regulating and taxing online gambling. Plans to do so are expected to take place later in the year, and the implementation of a new online gambling law could see the country earn an extra £2 Billion.

“The propensity for gaming in Greece is among the highest in Europe and the world,” said George Christodoulakis, a senior finance ministry official. “This has to do with our temperament and culture … The only thing one can do is set rules,” he said.

Currently, the country’s illegal online gambling market is worth £4 Billion. It seems to be a huge waste for Greece’s government, as it is losing out on millions of tax dollars. The Finance Ministry estimates that it could obtain at least half of the current online gambling business, raking in an impressive £2 Billion that the country is in dire need of.

Greece is currently suffering from a detrimental recession, which has been taking place for quite some time. Online gambling would be exactly what the country needs to pull itself out of its financial rut. However, as is the case with most countries considering online gambling, there is a great deal of opposition. It will be interesting to see how this legislation develops in the future.

The online gambling market in the United States is potentially one of the most lucrative in the world. Despite the country restricting operators from offering online gambling services to its residents, many operators based throughout Europe have continued to operate in the American market. While it seems that they have earned a huge head start for when the market finally is legalized, that may not be the case.

The United States’ government has announced that it may be restricting access to operators who continued to operate in the American market while the UIGEA was enacted. They will be punished not only because it was unfair to other, American-based operators but also because they committed a crime by refusing to exit the market and oblige by the UIGEA.

It is unfortunate for UK- and Europe-based online gambling operators. However, it gives American-based brands a fair shot at the online gambling market. Land-based brands that are owned and operated by American business owners have stayed out of the market so far, but the new law may give them the fighting chance that they have been looking for.

These amendments have only been mentioned so we will have to wait and see if they will actually be implemented.

There are many online gamblers that play because they love to play! That is it! It is that simple. In fact there was a recent study held by Ipsos Reid that asked a panel of 1000 Canadians as well as an additional panel of 1000 Americans about their thoughts on online gambling. 49% of Americans thought that online gambling should be completely legal and 55% of Canadians agreed to this vote. There were a very large amount of both Americans and Canadians that are under the impression that online gambling is still in fact completely a legal activity.
 
While the US and Canada has separate legislation there are parts of the US that allow certain types of online betting but not others. With regards to Canada online gambling is permitted in most parts of Canada but not all – and there are certain rules that govern the type of online gambling that Canadians can participate in.
 
While a sample of 1000 people from each country is not a giant one, it is still significant enough to point out that the government is going against what people actually want and implementing rules that are in their favour without regard for the desire of the public. It will be interesting to see what results and what actual rules are indeed passed and put in place.
 
Either way North Americans prefer that they can continue or begin to play at online casino as they so desire and barring any problems they should do as they please!

There hasn’t been much talk about the laws with regards to online gambling in South Africa. About a year back the government in the country had passed certain laws that were to rule and govern the online gambling activity that was originating from the country. It has been quite some time since this law and since nothing has changed and the law is still undergoing a review process.
 
The Gambling Commission in South Africa is now saying that by July a decision will be finalized and there will be final clarification and enforcement to the online gambling laws within the country. The plan is to have made a proper infrastructure by the time that the summer months come along.
 
There are many online casinos that are excited to be legalized and are anxiously awaiting approval and processing to begin their operations within the country and to gain yet another market of very avid online casino players. While this is the case there are more than a few illegitimate online casino operations popping up and accepting online casino players from South Africa as well.
 
This is exactly what the countries government did not want to happen but nothing can currently be done with regards to those choosing to take their money to play with off shore. There will be harsh punishment for those that break the online gambling laws such as high fines and imprisonment.