EU Gaming News - July 2011

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New tool to fight problem gambling in Canada

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has introduced a new technological initiative to identify and block known problem gamblers from gambling.

Cameras have been installed at land-based casino entrances to digitally scan and photograph the faces of all visitors, thereby identifying problem gamblers who have voluntarily signed up for the self-exclusion list. Security staff can then prevent them from playing. Regular casino visitors are also digitally scanned, but their facial photos are almost immediately discarded if their name is not on the list.

The system has been in use since May 2011 and keeps records of approximately 15.000 "registered" problem gamblers. The province estimates that there are total of 300.000 "problem gamblers" living in the area.

South Africa publishes Gambling Review
The South African Gambling Review Commission presented its report to the Parliament. While also addressing the wider industry, the Commission's findings deal in particular with the establishment of a liberal online regulatory framework. In particular, the reports recommends that a "holistic view" should be taken and that regulation should seek to include all forms of remote gambling including betting exchanges, mobile gambling, online betting for bookmakers and totalisator bets.

Furthermore, the Commission proposes an increase in the number of licenses for online gambling, however, recommended to delay a total liberalisation of the market until the impact of online gambling in the country is better understood.

The document is now expected to give impetus to the long delayed process of regulating the online gambling market in the country and the presentation in Parliament will be followed by a formal public debate.