The new UK Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act came into force over the weekend, despite lingering opposition from the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA), which accuses the Act of breaching Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, dealing with the free movement of trade across borders between EU member states.
Despite what certain operators may secretly think about the Act and its accompanying 15 percent point of consumption tax, many are already proudly sporting their new licensing credentials, with 888poker, partypoker, William Hill and Bet365 all displaying the UK Gambling Commission logo.
Meanwhile, PokerStars has launched its new UK client and UK customers are being asked to migrate their accounts now, with the promise of some bodacious freerolls for those that do.
All operators wishing to engage with the regulated UK market are now required to be licensed in the UK, a fact that has upset the online gaming jurisdiction and Crown Dependency of Gibraltar, among others. The punitive point of consumption tax, meanwhile, is due to kick in on December 1, so UK players can expect their VIP programs to be denuded just in time for Christmas.
The Game in Spain
Also getting in on the licensing act is Spain. The Iberian nation, which is attempting to inject some life into its stagnant online poker market by reopening its online gambling licensing window, is allowing until December 9 for more operators into the market. New applicants will be permitted to add slots to their platforms and betting exchanges will be welcomed for the first time.
High taxes in Spain have meant that the majority of Spanish players still play on the unregulated markets, which are able to offer more competitive rakes and promotions. Those who don’t, however, play overwhelmingly on PokerStars.es, and to a lesser extent on 888poker. The regulator clearly feels that increased competition might challenge PokerStars’ monopoly, which would be healthy. To which we say: good luck with that.
Faith in France
Elsewhere, there’s good news at last for the plummeting French poker market, which finally appears to have stopped freefalling. This after even its own regulator ARJEL appeared to have given up all hope, recently proclaiming that poker is a “fad” that is “over.” At long last, France’s online poker scene has at least stabilized during the third quarter of 2014.
Romanian Rake
And finally, flying in the face of the current European fashion for hiking up taxes, is Romania, which has realized that its tax regime is making it unprofitable for operators. Following complaints from the European Commission, the country has decided to drop taxes to a welcome 0.1 percent (a penny per every $10) on all cash game pots, with lawmakers hoping the changes could be passed this month.
