Latest News in General News
Stanleybet launches €1.5bn compensation claim against Italian Government, May 18, 2010
Stanleybet launches €1.5bn compensation claim against Italian Government
Stanleybet set to challenge ‘mythical’ opening of French betting market, Mar 03, 2010
Stanleybet set to challenge ‘mythical’ opening of French betting market
FURTHER DOUBT THROWN ON COMPLIANCE OF ITALY’S SPORTS BETTING LAWS WITH EC LAW – ITALIAN SUPREME COURT REFERS AGAIN TO ECJ, Feb 03, 2010
- > Cassazione's ruling indicates serious doubt about the compliance with European law of the 2006 Bersani sports betting licences, pointing to substantial uncertainties of interpretation.
- > To end this long-running controversy, Cassazione adjourned existing legal actions and referred the case to the European Court of Justice for guidance to arrive at a final decision.
- > After over 10 years of disruption to its business, Stanleybet is acknowledged as uniquely legal among foreign operators.
3 February 2010 - Italy's Supreme Criminal Court ("Cassazione") has thrown into question the regulatory framework that protects companies which were awarded licences under the Bersani tender in 2006 and has referred the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for clarification.
John Whittaker, CEO Stanleybet, Europe's leading cross-border retail sports betting company, said "We have long been concerned about the erroneous perception that Italy's legal framework for sports betting, as a result of conducting the Bersani tender in 2006, was open and compliant with EC law. We welcome this decision by Cassazione to adjourn legal actions and to refer to the European Court of Justice to seek a final resolution. Other countries seeking a model on which to base their laws must look elsewhere than Italy.
"We are particularly delighted that after disruptions going back over 10 years, Cassazione recognises that our business has a unique legal position, quite distinct from other foreign companies which operate in Italy without permission and which have sought to take advantage of Stanleybet's efforts to achieve justice over the years."
The Court has taken the view that serious uncertainties of interpretation still remain about the breadth of freedoms of establishment and provision of cross-border services (Articles 49 and 56 TFUE). It questions whether those freedoms can be restricted by a domestic tender system issuing a number of concessions, supported by police licences, in a situation where:
- § holders of previously-issued concessions are protected although new entrants were denied access to the market
- § competition is restricted because new concessions are prevented from locating premises within a certain distance of existing concessions
a concession can be forfeited with a consequent demand against financial guarantees and bonds if the concession holder was also engaging in cross border activities similar to those operated under the concession.
Swedish and Austrian cases to be heard by ECJ, Dec 20, 2009
The European Court of Justice has confirmed that it will examine Austrian and Swedish rules on online gambling in the New Year on 14 January is separate oral hearings.
The Austrian case - number C-64/08 - also relates to the freedom to provide services under European law, and in particular Articles 43 and 49 of the EC Treaty. The case was referred to the ECJ by the Austrian Court in Linz, who sought clarification on whether the country's two current gambling licensing regimes are in violation of the EU's competition legislation. If that is the case, then the national court wants to know if current Austrian gambling legislation can be legitimately used to exclude gambling operators based in other Member States. (Euromat)
Der Spiegel highlights role of illegal gambling rings in match-fixing, Dec 14, 2009
Investigative report in Der Spiegel highlights role of illegal gambling rings surrounding match-fixing scandals
An investigative report published in German weekly Der Spiegel sheds light on the reality behind the match fixing-scandals which have emerged in recent weeks across Europe. The article looks at how illegal gambling networks, whose influence spreads across the globe, damage the reputation of well-established legal operators by undermining their legality and the image of the sports betting industry.
A gambling ring led by Ante Sapina has come under investigation for alleged match-fixing in a series of sporting matches, including attempts to manipulate a World Cup qualifying match between Turkey and Bosnia Herzegovina.
According to investigators, "based on the results of telecommunications surveillance, there is evidence that cash flows [resulting from the ring's alleged match-fixing] could be in the millions". Until January 2009, investigators tracked balances amounting to €3.5 million originating from Mr Sapina's accounts in Asia alone.
The report also highlights the unconventional methods used to ensure the results required by the gambling rings in sporting competitions, such as bribing a cook to stir drugs into the lunch of a football team designed to reduce their performance.
Stanleybet hosts policy seminar on problem gambling, Nov 24, 2009
Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent University, UK presented a new report on Problem gambling in Europe during a policy seminar hosted by Malcolm Harbour MEP and Stanleybet in the European Parliament. Professor Griffiths drew attention to the stark lack of quality, consistent and reliable data about problem gambling in the majority of European countries and highlighted the need for a more evidence-based approach to gambling policy formulation.
Problem gambling prevalence levels and willingness to tackle problem gambling are often cited as a reason why some European governments grant no, or limited, market access to gambling operators from other European member states. In fact, Professor Griffiths' research shows no correlation between the openness of gambling markets and prevalence of problem gambling.
It is therefore disconcerting that decisions about gambling policy are informed by little quality data, and this new research highlights the need for a more evidence-based approach to gambling policy formulation.
Professor Griffiths' research is a country-by-country analysis of all existing evidence about the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in 31 countries across Europe. It acknowledges that in Europe gambling is a diverse concept that incorporates a range of activities undertaken in a variety of settings and giving rise to differing sets of behaviours and perceptions among participants and observers. Despite the complexity of gambling activity, however, only one third of countries surveyed have carried out rigorous research into gambling and problem gambling.
Lack of quality data
Member states vary greatly in their investment in research into gambling and problem gambling, with only a handful having carried out national surveys that can be considered representative and/or reliable. Of the 31 countries reviewed, only Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden and Switzerland have undertaken such studies. The remainder have either conducted studies at regional and/or local level only (Austria, France, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain), or have carried out almost no empirical research (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Portugal).
Problem gambling rates in Europe
Problem gambling rates in Europe appear to be similar to rates found elsewhere and typically vary between 0.5 per cent and 2 per cent. A few countries - like Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Switzerland - have reported problem gambling prevalence rates of above 3 per cent. Interestingly, problem gambling prevalence rates in restricted markets appear to be similar to those found in regulated ones. In the UK, where regulation of commercial gambling is non-discriminatory and fully compliant with internal market rules, the latest national gambling prevalence survey shows a rate of problem gambling at 0.6 per cent.
Problem gambling trends in Europe
In terms of problem gambling by type of gambling, there appear to be some consistent trends across European jurisdictions. Prevalence studies in Europe have tended to report that problem gamblers are most likely to be electronic gaming machine (EGM) players in countries like Estonia, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. This trend is further reinforced by statistics from problem gambling helpline data: these show that a growing proportion of problem gamblers contacting helplines or assessing treatment identify EGMs as their primary form of gambling. Many European countries report that problem EGM gamblers are most likely to seek treatment and/or contact national gambling helplines, for example Belgium (60%), Denmark (72%), Estonia (93%), Finland (66%), France (50%), Germany (83%), Great Britain (45%), Spain (75%), Sweden (35%).
Problem gambling: an emerging field of education and research
Existing knowledge base for the formulation of evidence-based gambling policies is small, in particular when compared with other potentially addictive behaviours. Although European research on problem gambling is slowly growing, it is still a long way off from providing sufficient and reliable evidence to root policies in. It is high time that more systematic research strategies and programmes are looked at and invested into, underpinned by independent decision-making about information needs and priorities. By doing so, policymakers will start to create laws that are based on sound facts rather than the myths that currently persist.
The event
The event was sponsored by Stanleybet as part of the Fair Play for Sports Betting campaign and was attended by a number of MEPs, researchers, advisors, commentators and industry representatives.
Stanleybet Clinches Important Victory in Italian Supreme Administrative Court , Nov 20, 2009
The Consiglio di Stato, the Italian Supreme Administrative High Court, issued a positive ruling for Stanleybet in late October, bringing the British company a step closer to being recognised as a legal entity in Italy.
"The Consiglio di Stato ruling goes in the direction of reinforcing the legitimacy of Stanley's position. It is clear that in Italy there exists a bipolar system: AAMS licence holders on one side and Stanley on the other", said John Whittaker, Stanleybet's CEO.
The judges turned down all objections from the Italian state, effectively exhausting all legal avenues under the Italian administrative law to prevent Stanleybet from operating in the country.
Italian Supreme Criminal Court Refers Third Stanleybet Case to ECJ , Nov 19, 2009
The Court of Cassazione, the Italian Supreme Criminal Court, has accepted Stanleybet's request to refer one of its cases to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to assess the legitimacy of its operations in Italy. This is the third time that a case involving Stanleybet has been referred to the ECJ, following the landmark Gambelli (2003) and Placanica (2007) cases.
The Cassazione judgment confirms Stanleybet's unique position in the Italian market as the only bookmaker allowed to invoke EU law in its defence.
"We welcome this decision by the Cassazione and we are confident that the ECJ will demonstrate yet again that unfair and non-competitive markets are not acceptable", said John Whittaker, CEO of Stanleybet.
This year, Stanley has had a number of favourable decisions in the Italian courts, including the recent Consiglio di Stato decision. Following victories in the Placanica and Gambelli cases, Stanley will be hoping for a third victory at the ECJ, as it continues to fight for a fair and open market under European Law.
Stanleybet calls for Italy’s “Big 4” to tackle illegal gambling, May 07, 2009
Stanleybet calls for Italy’s “Big 4” to tackle illegal gambling
Stanleybet donates one million Euros to L'Aquila reconstruction, Apr 09, 2009
Stanleybet donates one million Euros to L'Aquila reconstruction
US Anti-Gambling Laws violate WTO Rules says EU Commission, Mar 31, 2009
US Anti-Gambling Laws violate WTO Rules says EU Commission
Time for Italian Government's persecution of legitimate betting shops to come to an end, Mar 27, 2009
Time for Italian Government's persecution of legitimate betting shops to come to an end
EU Commission concludes investigation on US internet gambling laws, Mar 26, 2009
EU Commission concludes investigation on US internet gambling laws
Fair Play for Gambling, Mar 16, 2009
Stanleybet took part in a breakfast discussion organised by the Parliament Magazine on March 5th which brought together parties from across the gambling debate. You can read a full account of the event by downloading the Parliament Magazine's report here.
Open letter from John Whittaker, Managing Director, Stanleybet International, Mar 05, 2009
Don’t let myths determine public policy: Open letter from John Whittaker, Managing Director, Stanleybet International
MEPs decide against EU deciding on rules to govern online gambling , Feb 11, 2009
A majority of MEPs decided in a vote at the Internal Market Committee on 11 February 2009 that rules governing online gambling should not be laid down by the EU. The own-initiative report by Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose on the integrity of online gambling was voted with 32 votes for and 10 against. The adopted text recommends continuing to look for a “potential political solution” to problems linked with gambling and other money games, offline and online. A minority of Members who strongly disagreed with the text have decided to submit an alternative report in the next plenary session, schedule for the 9-12 March 2009 (EU, 11/02/09, Euractiv, Europolitics, Agence Europe, Xinhua, Parliament Website)
Gambling Commission's survey into remote gambling , Feb 09, 2009
In the UK, the Gambling Commission has released the results of a recent survey showing a slight increase in the percentage of adults that had participated in at least one form of remote gambling last year. Conducted by ICM Research, the Commission’s study revealed that 9.7% of the 8,000 adults surveyed had gambled using a computer, mobile phone or interactive/digital television over the last month. This compares with 8.8% for 2007 and 7.2% for 2006 but 90.3% of respondents stated that they had not participated in any form of remote gambling. (UK, 09/02/09 iGaming Business)
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