In January 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice published an opinion declaring that the agency interprets the federal Wire Act, which prohibits certain types of betting businesses in the U.S., to apply to gambling activities outside of sporting events and contests. This essentially reverses the Department of Justice’s opinion in 2011 that the Wire Act only applies to sports gambling. Therefore, businesses involved in interstate gambling activities of any type, such as lotteries and casino…
On 23 March 2018 the German Commission for the Protection of Youth in the Media (KJM) released its long awaited official position on loot boxes. The KJM is the head regulator for youth protection in online media in Germany (including video games, apps, social casino, etc.). Whilst the KJM’s statement is non-committal it outlines that loot boxes can, under certain circumstances, violate youth protection laws. The KJM is not responsible for regulating gambling. Thus, potential…
The Italian gaming Regulatory Authority (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli – ADM) has just launched a public tender for the award of up to 120 licenses for the setting-up and operation of online gaming platforms for the provision of the following games: (i) fixed odds and pool betting on sports, including horse races, and non-sports events, also simulated(ii) skill games with cash prizes (excluding lottery and other related games), including poker and other…
New legislation amending online gambling laws is before Parliament. Baker McKenzie partner Patrick Fair discusses what the reforms would mean for local and offshore players.