Legislation in Cyprus in 1997 banned land-based gambling and online casinos. The country is trying to organize state lotteries and private bingo games and the licensing of sports and horse race betting in shops. However, there’s still a “grey area” in the law when it comes to internet gambling.

Because of this grey area, the Cyprus Attorney General formally accepted that companies licensed in an EU member state may offer online gambling in Cyprus through websites, betting shops or internet cafes. On condition the Republic encourage players to participate in its lotteries, games of chance and betting that will be advantageous to the public purse.

As such a number of EU-licensed gaming companies now offer internet gaming products to players in Cyprus. The Cyprus government is trying to secure a concession agreement with Greece’s OPAP SA monopoly. If successful, it wipe out any competition.

Various draft bills have been imposed …

One of the hottest topics for debate in the internet gambling industry today is responsible gambling. Law makers not in favour of it have used it as a deterrent to hinder the regulation and expansion of it in various jurisdictions.

Many operators claim that part of their gambling arm they have a responsible gambling section in place on their websites; however this notion has been frowned upon of late. Since many opposed to internet gambling regard this as lip service and no more. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) issued a report on new self-regulatory measures that will set the trend within the casino industry in future. EGBA is a trade organization which represents major European internet casinos.

Measures outlined within the report will be publicized by the European Committee for consistency (CEN) soon. John Ketchell, Innovation Director at CEN, states in the report that the responsible internet gambling measures contemplated …

All formats of online gambling have been given the green light by the Spanish government today.

This coming Tuesday the bill will appear before the country’s Congress, before it moves on to the Senate and in turn to the European Commission. Potentially this lays the foundation for a legislative structure to be implemented before 2011 ends.

It’s still not known which tax model has been selected by the Spanish Council of Ministers. Casino industry body such as the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) have been lobbying against a turnover tax for sports betting, they feel it might lead to the potential exploitation of Spanish players. The ruling Socialist Workers Party is in favour of a tax where gambling gross revenues are taxed.

Santiago Asensi, a gaming lawyer with Asensi Abogados in Madrid, said that lawmakers might impact negatively on the bill’s progress set forth by casino operators. “The gaming industry and the opposition …

eCogra the London based autonomous player protection and standards gaming organization, annually releases information concerning player disputes that have been certified by it. The report is released by Tex Rees who also happens to be the Fair Gaming Advocate for the organization. The latest report for 2010 has just been released by Rees; it could be perused at the organization’s web site, eCOGRA.

In 2010 a total 846 disputes have been submitted online to eCOGRA, so far player disputes have increased by 10% in comparison to the 826 complaints submitted in 2009. eCogra does not deal with complaints made by internet casinos that does not bear its seal of approval, 67 complaints have been rejected outright. An additional 125 did not adhere to eCogra’s stringent criteria.

These complaints were found to be fraudulent, non-specific, offensive or unknown. This is one of the main reasons why eCogra only received 654 legitimate …

Italy is one of the very first European countries to regulate and control internet gambling. Initially it did not accept every internet gambling product in the regulated system.

For instance poker was allowed and internet poker cash games was not. To crown it all wagering online remained against the law and this frustrated many players in the country.

Finally Italian players have something to smile about. Authorities have kept their word and will slot in two important verticals in 2011. Internet poker cash games will be introduced later this year.

At this point in time Italy is Europe’s largest Internet gaming market. Research done by TrustPartners indicates that once cash poker and operators are introduced revenue will double by 2012. The figures provided by TrustPartners projected a revenue in the region of €200 million in 2011 and up to €1 billion in 2012 on account of gambling alone. Profits estimated …

The Chinese New Year holiday is just about to begin and casinos on the Vegas strip are preparing in earnest for one of the year’s most extravagant gambling events. Casinos will be rolling out the red carpet for baccarat players, security officials at casinos will be on the lookout for a group of baccarat cheaters which conned one casino on the strip out of a $1 million recently.

The state’s Gaming Control Board officials incarcerated a group of baccarat players at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the casino felt it has been the victim of a scam that had a player “cut” the deck by dragging the cut card over the top of the deck and managed to separate the cards from one each other with his index finger.

Using a small camera hid under the gambler’s sleeve, the player is able to keep track of the value and suit …

Any fiscal dealings constitute the lifeline of internet gaming. South Africa has decided to prohibit internet gambling in its entirety for the time being. South African banking institutions have notified patrons that the use of credit cards to purchase lottery tickets abroad or to wager at internet casinos is against the law. The banks have been instructed by The Financial Surveillance Department of the Reserve Bank of South Africa.

The requirements of Exchange Control circulars state, “Citizens are not allowed not to partake in lotteries organized overseas or to wager at internet casinos; such participation is in contravention with the Lotteries Act 57/1997 and the National Gambling Act 7/2004 as amended by the National Gambling Amendment Act 10/2008.” Banks and issuers of all American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa credit will no longer accept debits incurred by South African citizens who want to purchase overseas lottery tickets or wager …

Internet casino trade body the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has expressed its concerns toward the Greek government pertaining to the tax levied on distant internet casinos and also in disagreement of its planned 6% turnover tax “is simply not acceptable”.

The RGA said strictly speaking “welcomed” the draft law, the trade body has voiced its concerns about the practicality and requirement of various aspects of the draft legislation, as well as the compatibility of some of those with EU law.”

Clive Hawkswood, Chief executive said: “Currently we are locked in negotiations with the Greek government to elucidate some issues and we hope to resolve this matter in an amicable manner. Of primary significance, however, is the tax of 6% levied, as in France it’s simply not conducive to internet casinos in a very competitive global market.”

Hawkswood disclosed that the RGA had employed the Athens office of “Big Four” auditor/accountant …

Internet gamblers from New Jersey are waiting nervously to see whether Governor Chris Christie is going to sign the legislation, making the state the first in the U.S to regulate internet casinos. It appears at this stage that gamblers might have to wait a bit longer.

The legislation has been passed without the normal hiccups by The Senate and Assembly. However, Christie is contemplating the political ramifications associated with the signing of such a pioneering bill. The governor has his doubts concerning the pending law.

“Assuming Governor Christie gives the law the green light, he would instantaneously gain the support of millions of internet gamblers all over the U.S. This might be to his advantage in future should he decide to run for higher office,” mentioned Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. “On the flip side of the coin, Christie might lose some of his main supporters in his own party, should …

Las Vegas is ready to welcome the Chinese for the annual Chinese New Year. It never enjoys the same public attention as New Year or Super Bowl Sunday, but in recent years it has become very important to Las Vegas casinos.

This coming Thursday will see the start of the Chinese New Year and the arrival of thousands of Chinese looking to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. The Year of the Rabbit in Chinese culture is associated with good luck and prosperity.

The Chinese New Year coincides with Super Bowl weekend, potentially bringing in even more Chinese gamblers to Las Vegas.

“We look forward to receiving our Chinese visitors and they can expect five star service from us. We know that the Chinese are by nature big spenders and that’s one of the main reasons why we’re welcoming them with open arms,” said Donald Bowman, manager of the Mandarin …