The month of February seems to have been quite busy for Brazil, as the Bill which aims to regulate multiple sectors of the gaming industry was established. Also, Hungary came up with some suggestions regarding the regulation of the online gambling market, but no specific details were released yet.
As usual, the ever-growing market of the United States was the most active one, with Arkansas being quite close to officially welcoming web-based sports betting. South Dakota and Ohio are experiencing some progress as well, while Florida is struggling with a tribal monopoly on the sector.
What follows is a full insight on February 2022 regulation, so keep reading!
United States Overview
Arizona: If Senator Sally Ann Gonzales’ proposed legislation is greenlighted, the number of online sports betting operators would be increased from 10 to 23.
Arkansas: Legislators granted final approval to regulations regarding the online sports betting sector, with March 2022 as the expected date for the launch. The regulations included a requirement for sports wagering licensees (the states’ casinos) to retain a minimum of 51% of sports betting gross win.
Florida: Unlike Arkansas, Florida didn’t have as much luck with online sports betting, at least not in the current year, as the required number of signatures wasn’t gained to authorize it via the 2022 referendum. The whole idea was to provide an extended number of platforms and facilities, instead of placing bets exclusively through the Florida Seminole Tribe.
Hawaii: Legislators presented a bill to regulate online sports wagering with the proposed tax of 55% on the activity.
Iowa: Representative Bobby Kaufmann introduced legislation to authorize and regulate online gaming. The bill, HB604 aims to greenlight “advance deposit gaming” via the internet and authorize racetracks and casinos to supply online casino games and poker via two skins. Should the Gaming Commission permit the expansion, the third skin would be added as well.
Louisiana: Barstool, BetFred, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel rolled out their online sportsbooks on January 28, 2022, the same date when the state welcomed the online sports betting market.
New York: PointsBet rolled out its online sports betting platform on January 25, 2022. Also, Governor Kathy Hochul included plans in her 2022 budget to permit the development of three casinos in or around New York City. The proposals must be approved by the legislature by April 1, 2022.
Ohio: The Casino Control Commission presented the detailed requirements and regulations for prospective sports betting operators in the state. If everything goes as planned, the market would launch by January 1, 2023.
Pennsylvania: PointsBet launched its online sportsbook on February 10, 2022. A while before that, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the State Lottery’s right to offer instant games online as they do not contain any of the key features of slot machines, which means they are permitted under the current legislation.
South Dakota: Legislators introduced a Bill SJR 502 to authorize and regulate online sports betting. The bill progressed to the House for consideration.
Washington: IGT Launched its retail sportsbook at the Little Creek Casino on February 1, 2022, while FanDuel opened the same facility at the Squamish Clearwater Casino four days later.
West Virginia: Legislation (HB 4826) to permit betting on eSports was introduced to the House.
Wyoming: Legislators came up with a bill to permit instant lottery games in the state. If passed, it would allow the lottery to offer state and multi-state instant games.
Regulatory Updates Europe-Wide
Schleswig-Holstein (Germany): The state enacted legislation to grant five licenses for operators wishing to offer online table games. As featured in legislation, an incremental tax rate for the activity from 34% of gross win up to €3k per month to 44% of a gross win above €750k per month would be imposed.
North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany): The State passed legislation to permit online casino games.
Hungary: Legislators came up with proposals to parliament to open the country’s online gambling market to commercial operators based in Europe, but still hasn’t specified the accompanying tax rates. The legislation is submitted to the European Commission for review.
Sweden: The Ministry of Finance suggested introducing software licenses for B2B online gambling providers active in the market.
Groundbreaking Changes in Brazil
The basic text of Bill 442/9 was greenlighted by the Chamber of Deputies, giving permissions to multiple sectors- casinos, bingo halls, “the animal game” and online gambling in Brazil. As soon as possible changes are discussed, the Bill will be forwarded to the Senate for final approval.
According to the Bill, integrated resorts would be eligible for the casinos, provided that they feature at least 100 high-end hotel rooms, as well as other facilities- meeting and event venues, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. Also, regions with a population of more than 25 million residents would have 3 casinos.
On top of that, states measuring more than 1 million square km in size would be permitted to open up to two more venues in leisure complexes. In locations classified as tourist destinations, casinos would be allowed, regardless of the population density of the state.
Moreover, 10 riverboats casinos would be allowed, as well as one bingo hall per 15,000 inhabitants. As clarified, 400 video bingo machines per facility would be permitted. Also, for every 700 thousand inhabitants of the state or Federal District one operator would be allowed to offer the “Animal Game”.
Even though online gambling was mentioned in the bill as well, no details were specified regarding this sector.
The Rest of the World
Azerbaijan: Thanks to the 10-year contract awarded by Azerlotereya, Scientific Games is permitted to offer lottery and sports betting products for both retail and online channels in this region.
India: The Karnataka High Court ruled against legislation passed by the Government in September 2021 to ban all forms of gambling, clarifying that the Government did not have the authority to prohibit online games of skill for stakes in the first place.
Singapore: If the Bill is passed, Singapore will get a new, single regulator for all gambling in the country in mid2022.
Source:
H2 Gambling Capital, February 2022
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