According to a leading German lawyer, skill games and entertainment portals could provide online operators looking to enter the German gaming market with viable opportunities. Wulf Hambach of law firm Hambach and Hambach believes that Germany may be close to opening up its gaming market due to pressure from the European Commission (EC). However, he stated that there remains non-regulated gambling sectors in Germany…

Gumpoldskirchen, 3. Dezember 2007 – Astra Games, eine Tochter der Novomatic AG und führender britischer Hersteller von Gaming Equipment für den britischen Markt sowie diverse Exportmärkte, hat in Südwales ein neues, hochmodern ausgestattetes Headquarter mit Produktionsanlagen und Bürokomplex eröffnet.

Legislative fraction of PRD in the House of Legislators remarked that the approval of the new 20% tax to games and draws will allow the ending of money laundering and the proliferation of such businesses in Mexico. It remarked the importance of the Special Tax on Products and Services (IEPS), which will tax with a 20% fee to bets and draws.

On the 31 August 2007, the UK Gambling Commission released the rules of casino games in Great Britain. This document sets out the rules, including layouts, odds and any side bets, for each game on the list of approved games, or approved for trial. This rules aim to ensure a consistent approach in providing casino games in Great Britain. Licensees must follow any rules for the playing of approved casino games (or games being trialed), or other games of chance.

The early success of Pennsylvania slots parlors has energized an influential lawmaker who wants to bring table games next to the state — and do so soon. At a hearing in North Strabane of the House Gaming Oversight Committee yesterday, Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, touted his legislation to broaden the state’s gambling options. The expansion beyond slots, not surprisingly, was embraced by Pennsylvania racetrack casino operators who say they need it to compete with other states that offer the full gambling menu.

Head of political party Convergencia in the state of Nuevo León, Ernesto Cerda Serna, demanded the approval of the Law of Games and Draws modification, in order to regulate the operation of casinos and gambling venues. In this context, it demanded the House of Legislators to pass the modifications to the Law of Games and Draws in order to stop the proliferation of these businesses, supported by the current regulation.

Atlantic City – New Jersey gaming regulators Wednesday approved a new form of electronic gambling to help Atlantic City’s casinos counter extra competition from slot parlors in surrounding states. The new regulations allow for live testing of electronic versions of poker and roulette, a key step before the games are introduced to gamblers in the casino hotels.

On June 7 & 8 the third professional international exhibition of gaming and entertainment equipment “World of Games 2007” took place at Crocus Expo, Moscow. The exhibition organiser was the Russian Association “World of Games”. The list of exhibitors included 56 companies, which had a wide product range of specific gaming and entertainment products, such as gaming machines, casino equipment, accessories, terminals etc.

Die Entscheidung des BVerwG (Urt. v. 23.11.2005 – Az.: 6 C 9.05) zur Zulässigkeit von Fun Games liegt nun im Volltext vor. Das BVerwG hatte noch rechtzeitig vor Inkrafttreten der neuen Spielverordnung zum 01.01.2006 entschieden. Welche Auswirkungen das Urteil noch auf die neue Rechtslage haben wird, bleibt abzuwarten. Ab Januar sind Fun Games ohnehin grundsätzlich nicht mehr erlaubt.

Anbieter von Online-Games müssen neben glücksspielrechtlichen Vorschriften auch umfangreiche internetrechtliche Pflichten beachten. Wer im E-Commerce tätig ist, muss eine ganze Reihe von Regelungen des Internet-Rechts beachten. So kann beim Internet-Handel etwa das Fernabsatzrecht greifen, welches im Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch (BGB) und in der BGB-Informationspflichtenverordnung (BGB-InfoV) geregelt ist. Aber auch das Teledienstegesetz oder auch datenschutzrechtliche Vorschriften wie das Teledienstedatenschutzgesetz spielen eine Rolle.