EUROMAT NEWS

MEMBER STATE NEWS

09/05/11 – Serbia’s gambling regulators unveiled their plans for a complete reform of gambling regulations. The draft law, published for public consultation, combines strict regulations and penalties aimed at tackling the black market with generous tax breaks for licensed operators. EUROMAT member, JAKTA, welcomed the proposal which would make the operation of illegal gaming and amusement machines (a major problem in the country) a criminal offence and would give the national regulator power to seize illegal machines. The bill, which includes specific regulations on the size of gaming halls and the maximum age of the machines and also introduces a definition for “slot machines”, is expected to reach the Parliament before the summer recess and could be adopted in autumn 2011.

05/05/11– The Committees on National Economy and Budget, and Public Finance of the Polish Senate recommended that the online betting bill be voted on without amendments. A final vote in plenary is still expected this week and the text will then be passed to the Polish President to sign into law. After a stipulated 14-day standstill period, it could enter into effect as early as 1 June 2011. The tax rate (a 12% turnover tax) has been particularly criticized, as well as a number of strict restrictions that will continue to apply on marketing and advertising.

Source: EUROMAT