Worldwide Regulatory Gambling Industry Updates For May 2020

Having suffered the global health crisis, the world has seen a slight reduction of gambling related activities during the month of May.

As a result, a much lower number of jurisdictions than usual have announced certain market and legislative updates. USA has remained largely active despite the circumstances and the closure of many casinos, while the rest of the world mostly put these activities on a hiatus.

US Regulatory Updates

Colorado – In the Mid-West state, regulated online sports betting was launched during May, however, the retail sports betting is delayed until further notice because of the said health crisis and casino closures.

Maryland – Sports betting Bill SB 4 was ed into law following the both legislative chambers’ approval. It was made into law without the Governor Larry Hogan’s signature. The Governor himself chose not to sign the bill but he did not block its adoption, either. The question of allowing or not allowing retail and online sports betting in Maryland’s six casinos will be decided during the November referendum.

Michigan – This state’s Gaming Control Board has approved the regulations to permit the advanced deposit wagering and has started the licensing process for prospective operators. These regulations allow operators to offer online peri-mutual betting on horseraces from all US racetracks.

Rhode Island – State Lottery of Rhode Island has, on May 13th, launched the interactive sales platform that allows players to play Keno and instant ticket games. The game offering would be expanded to include multi-state draw games in the second half of 2021.

West Virginia – The West Virginia Lottery Commission approved the initial operational regulations to allow the launch of the State’s iGaming market. The rules were submitted to the Secretary of State for final approval meaning the market could launch in July 2020.

Rest of the World Regulatory Updates

Argentina – In this South American nation, a Federal Appeals Court temporarily has suspended, temporarily, the process of licensing online gambling operators in the capital of Buenos Aires. This comes after an appeal from local land-based gambling operators that claim the city has no authority to approve online gambling.

Finland – A decree to reduce customers’ monthly loss limit on online gaming products from EUR 2,000 to EUR 500. This reduced limit has applied to interactive gaming machines, table games, instant win lottery games and bingo. These measures came into effect on May 1st 2020 and will stay in effect until September 30th 2020.

The Netherlands – The Dutch Government has clarified that interactive operators would be barred from accessing customer databases that they have gained before the market was officially regulated.

Source:

“H2 Gambling Capital”, May 2020