The Queen of Hearts

Germany to ban Internet gambling; South Africa to legalize it

As reported by Reuters: "Germany's federal states plan to ban Internet gambling, according to draft documents to be discussed by the country's state premiers on Wednesday", a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

"Despite pressure from the European Commission to open up Europe's gambling market to competition, ministers from most states want to sign off on new rules aimed at protecting their lucrative monopoly as lottery operators", said Handelsblatt.

Source

Meanwhile, online and cellphone gaming will become legal for the first time in SA if a draft amendment bill adopted by the cabinet last week is finally passed into law.

Unlike the US, which decided to outlaw internet gambling to prevent money-laundering and funding terrorism, the South African government has decided to allow interactive gambling within a regulated framework. This is consistent with its general approach to gambling.

The South African gambling industry has been frustrated by the length of time it has taken government to come up with regulations to legalise internet gaming.

Foreign operators, particularly British operators, have been waiting for internet gaming to be legalised so that they can enter the domestic market, while provincial governments have been losing out on an additional source of tax revenue.

The draft bill proposes a licensing system for both the players and the online gaming websites.

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posted by Queen of Hearts @ 04:58