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EC to Target Holland and Greece For Gambling RestrictionsWed, Feb 27th, 2008 @ 12:00am After meeting later this week, the European Commission is expected to issue a final warning to Greece and Holland challenging their protectionist practices against foreign gambling operators, affecting online poker operators as well, to bring them into compliance with EU directives that give EU-based operators the free movement of goods and services between the 27 EU member countries, according to reports in Reuters this week. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has repeatedly ruled that EU states can restrict gaming, but only in a proportionate and non-discriminatory way. Specifically, Commission officials will discuss the discriminatory exclusion of sportsbetting services preventing competition with state-supported monopolies in the two markets. Failure to comply with any final warning issued, called a 'Reasoned Opinion', could result in legal action against Greece and Holland being taken in the ECJ (Judicial Phase- see explanation of steps the EC can take below). Greek gaming company OPAP is an effective monopoly in its home market. It also competes with other operators in Cyprus. In a move reminiscent of recent Swedish delay tactics to continue lucrative monopoly revenues, OPAP was described as playing a waiting game, according to a Greek analyst in the Reuters report. "This is not really an immediate problem for OPAP," the Athens-based analyst said. "Greece has said it is arguing for OPAP to be exempt from competition, and it will take a couple of years for a final decision to be taken by the EU in any case."
A spokesman for Commissioner McCreevy confirmed only that the Commission would discuss legal action at its meeting on Wednesday, and would reveal any decisions made on Thursday. OTHER VIOLATORS THE EC IS CHALLENGING EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is overseeing legal action against 10 of the EU's 27 member states to crack down on government practices designed to protect state gaming monopolies from competition from EU-based gaming firms. Most recently, the European Commission took the formal legal step of issuing a formal opinion to Sweden, giving Sweden two months from January 31 to show how measures to protect the Swedish state-owned gambling company, Svenska Spel, against non-state supported poker games and tournaments are compatible with EU law (click here for related article). At the same time, the EC challenged Germany's new German Interstate law which came into force on January 1 that bans online gaming and betting (with the exception of horse racing). The law also bans financial institutions from processing transactions related to such 'illegal' online gambling services. Like Sweden, the EC gave Germany two months to respond to the Reasoned Opinion they issued. HOW THE EC PROCEEDS When challenging violators, the EC can proceed in three distinct stages (defined under Article 226 of the Treaty on European Union): The first step's Letter of Formal Notice is usually unknown to the public, unlike later stages, unless the Commission decides to issue a press release if it feels a case is of exceptional significance to EU citizens (as when an infringement gave rise to a large number of complaints) as has been the case with gambling. Read Related Articles:
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Sweden Undecided Whether Online Poker to Remain Gov't Monopoly Sweden has repeatedly been under fire from the European Commission to comply with EU laws that give EU-based operators free movement of goods and services between EU member countries. Today, Gambling Intelligence Group relayed that Jan Nyren, who is conducting Sweden's gambling investigation, will propose in his final report due in December that Sweden introduce a licensing system for online sports betting providers. But he says he has yet to decide whether to recommend online poker be opened to competition or remain the government monopoly of Svenska Spel.
World Series Of Poker Academy Debuts in LA Sept. 6-7 at The Bicycle Casino The World Series of Poker Academy, poker's premier series of instructional schools where participants learn first-hand from the world's greatest poker players, just announced details for its first-ever event in Los Angeles, California USA.
World Series of Poker Europe Begins in 2 Weeks With only two weeks to go, final preparations are being made and big name players continue to commit to the second annual World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE), including members of the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). All players will compete for their chance at fame, fortune and the most coveted prize in gaming: a World Series of Poker championship bracelet.
Team PokerStars Nets Hockey Great Mats Sundin While the hockey world may have to keep waiting for Mats Sundin to decide his NHL future, fans of the felt will be seeing a lot of the fomer Toronto Maple Leafs captain. It has been announced that PokerStars has signed the hockey legend to an endorsement deal, making Sundin the newest PokerStars embassador.
Poker Pro Europe Magazine Expands Distribution into South Africa Poker Pro Europe magazine, as part of its global expansion, can now be found in casinos in South Africa and Swaziland. The distribution pushes the publication's total circulation over 55,000, making it one of the largest poker-related magazines outside the USA.
Amsair is Official Airline of World Series of Poker Europe Amsair was just announced as the latest top line sponsor for the forthcoming World Series of Poker Europe to be held next month in London, UK. The deal will make Amsair Executive Aviation the official airline of the tour and will allow Betfair Poker customers exclusive and discounted rates on any of the private jets in the extensive Amsair charter fleet.
No Withholding Taxes on Poker Tourneys The IRS has decided that every poker operator in the United States will have to report anyone who wins more than $5,000 in a poker tournament.
Poker Craze is Ramping Up in Asia The recent successful Asian Poker Tour (APT) in Macau, and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) underway at Macau's Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino both reflect how Texas Hold'em poker is set to take the Asian region by storm, according to Timothy Chui of the Hong Kong Standard.
WSOP November Niner Dennis Phillips Signs Up for Oracle Poker Consulting With 2008 World Series of Poker final table participants receiving the luxury of a 117 day break before the biggest day of their poker careers, it was believed that the final nine would take a large portion of the hiatus to fix any leaks in their poker game. "November Nine" chip leader Dennis Phillips was the first final tabler to make his coaching arrangements public, as his hiring of Oracle Poker Consulting was announced Wednesday in a press release.
Timoshenko Earns Half Million for Asian Poker Tour Macau Win Last week, the Asian Poker Tour (APT) rolled through Macau and into the StarWorld Galaxy Hotel and Casino, tempting players by slapping a $500,000 guarantee on the Main Event first-place prize. In the end, 20-year old Yevgeniy Timoshenko, a United States citizen of Ukrainian descent, shined during play at the eight-handed final table to grab the largest guaranteed tournament in Asian poker history. |
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