EUROMAT News Bulletin - 31 August 2012

MEMBER STATE NEWS

31/08/12 - The Swedish state gambling monopoly, Svenska Spel, is investigating its “Vegas” video lottery terminals, which are located in pubs, restaurants and bingo halls in Sweden and offer games classified as “high-risk”. The terminals have been largely blamed for an increase in the number of problem gamblers in the country, amongst others, due to the possibility of playing while consuming alcohol. Svenska Spel aims to improve the terminals to make it easier for players to control their gambling.

29/08/12 – The Italian Health Minister has presented a proposal to restrict the installation of gaming machines around schools and hospitals with the purpose of tackling problem gambling. Gaming machines would no longer be allowed within 500 meters distance from schools, hospital and churches.

28/08/12 – The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has issued five new online betting licences, which are valid until August 2018. A total of 12 companies are now authorised to offer online gambling in the state. It is expected that more licenses will be issued before the repeal of the existing legislative framework is completed and Schleswig-Holstein joins the other 15 states in the application of the new German Interstate Treaty on Gambling.