Issue no. 388 - 1 June 2008

• DE - German services seize 'eBay baby' (BBC)
  Authorities in Bavaria, southern Germany, have taken a seven-month-old boy into care after his parents offered him for sale on eBay "as a joke". The unnamed child was advertised as a "nearly-new baby" with a starting price of one euro.

Issue no. 387 - 12 May 2008

• NL - Dutch want banks help to fight illegal Web casinos (Reuters)
  Dutch authorities intend to crack down on illegal online casinos and are calling on banks to stop providing financial services to them. The ministry has made a list of 30-50 Internet gamers and has asked banks to stop services to these companies. Swedish online gamer Unibet and Dutch firm Oranje Casino, are targets.

Issue no. 385 - 21 March 2008

• EU - Commission acts on obstacles to gambling services in Greece and the Netherlands (RAPID)
  The European Commission has taken action to put an end to obstacles to the free movement of gambling services in Greece and the Netherlands. The Commission considers that the restrictions in question are not compatible with existing EU law and that the measures taken by these Member States to restrict the free movement of gambling services have not been shown to be necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory.

• EU/FR - Paris en ligne : Bruxelles s'oppose au blocage français des flux financiers (ZDNet.fr)
  En France, l'État accorde un monopole sur les jeux d'argents en ligne à la Française des jeux et au PMU. Un projet de décret a pour objectif de contraindre les institutions financières à bloquer les ordres de paiement des opérateurs de jeux européens, dont les services sont accessibles en France. Bruxelles vient d'émettre un avis circonstancié sur ce projet de décret, estimant qu'il est susceptible d'engendrer des entraves à la liberté du commerce, des services ou d'établissement au sein de l'Union.

Issue no. 384 - 24 February 2008

• EU / DE - Commission inquires into restrictions on gambling services in Germany (RAPID)
  The European Commission has decided to send to Germany an official request for information on national legislation restricting the supply of gambling services. This new inquiry focuses on a number of provisions of the new legislation which entered into force on 1.1.2008: the total prohibition of games of chance on the Internet, notably sports betting; advertising restrictions on TV, on the Internet or on jerseys or billboards; and the prohibition on financial institutions to process and execute payments relating to unauthorised games of chance.

• EU / SE - Commission inquires into restrictions on gambling services in Sweden (RAPID)
  The European Commission has decided to send an official request for information on national legislation restricting the supply and promotion of certain gambling services to Sweden. Poker games and tournaments are offered in Swedish international casinos and, since 2006, the state-owned company also offers such services online on a large scale. However, the national legislation prevents online poker games and tournaments offered by operators licensed and regulated in other Member States. Also, it provides for restrictions and criminal sanctions on the promotion both of online poker offered by a licensed service provider in another Member State, and of poker organised within licensed premises in another Member State.

Issue no. 383 - 27 January 2008

• EU - Betting industry urges action vs German ban (Reuters)
  Europe's online gaming industry filed a complaint with the European Commission, saying Germany's ban on online gambling breaks EU law on the free movement of services. "The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) calls on the European Commission to take swift action against the German Interstate Treaty on gaming," the lobby group said in a statement. The treaty came into force on Jan. 1 and bans online gaming and betting, except on horse racing, in Germany. The EGBA said the ban "is in direct contravention of European Union law".

• EU set to warn Germany over gaming market (Reuters)
  The European Commission is set to step up legal action against Germany next week for thwarting foreign competition in the country's gaming markets. A new German law came into force on January 1 that bans online gaming and betting, except on horse racing. Europe's online gaming industry condemned the ban on Web gambling as unlawful and urged the Commission, the European Union's executive arm, to overturn it.

Issue no. 379 - 2 September 2007

• Second life bans gambling (vnunet.com)
  The creators of the online world Second Life, Linden Lab, has banned all forms of gambling in the game. While Linden Lab itself does not offer any gambling facilities in Second Life, the ability for people in the game to create just about any type of object means that virtual casinos have sprung up all over the world. This new policy will effect all users of the game, regardless of where they live in real life.

Issue no. 377 - 5 July 2007

• Dial M for money (Economist)
  It has already changed most people's lives, but there is more work ahead for the mobile phone. The trusty SIM card can also act as a debit and credit card. That means it may only be a matter of time before mobile phones are used to deposit, transfer and withdraw cash.

Issue no. 373 - 11 March 2007

• EU - Court rules to end gambling monopolies (EurActiv)
  A second landmark ruling on gambling, the 'Placanica case', puts pressure on EU member states to change their national laws restricting access to provision of sports-betting services.

Issue no. 370 - 3 December 2006

• UK - Illegal net sport faces crackdown (BBC)
  Sports authorities are taking action to stop illegal live coverage of football and other events over the internet. Almost all English Premiership matches are available to watch live and for free, as are other leagues and sports. The coverage, mainly from Chinese sport channels, is put on peer-to-peer applications and can be watched anywhere in the world.

Issue no. 369 - 5 November 2006

• U.K. pushes global rules on gambling (International Herald Tribune)
  The British government plans to seek international support for legalized, regulated online gambling, emphasizing a trans-Atlantic difference on the issue after the Bush administration's recent move to outlaw transactions with Internet gambling services. During a conference at the Royal Ascot racecourse, the British government plans to seek adoption of a broad code of principles on Internet gambling. Officials from more than 30 countries are expected to attend, though the U.S. Justice Department has declined to send a representative.

• UK - Gaming to be 'mark of quality' (BBC)
  Online gambling sites registered in the UK would offer a "hallmark of quality" to people around the world, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said. Signing up to the UK's regulatory code would enhance the sites' reputation and protect players, argued Ms Jowell. The UK hopes to become a "world leader" in internet gambling following a US ban on the activity. About 30 countries have pledged to ensure online gambling is not a source of crime and to protect consumers.

• UK wants online gambling but will extradite to US if asked (OUT-LAW News)
  The UK will set itself up as an online gambling haven but will extradite executives to the US if asked, according to Sports Minister Richard Caborn. The US effectively banned online gambling with a new law earlier this year, and Caborn and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell outlined plans to welcome internet gambling companies to the UK and to regulate them.

Issue no. 368 - 15 October 2006

• EU - European Commission threatens legal action on gambling (Guardian)
  The European Commission has threatened legal action against France, Italy and Austria for restricting sports betting and gambling services, including banning foreign online gaming and casino operators. Its move, bringing to nine the number of EU countries whose gambling legislation is under investigation, was hailed as a shot in the arm by the €50bn European betting sector - several of whose leading executives have been prosecuted for offering cross-border services. see Commission Press Release.

• EU - Study on gambling (Europa)
  To obtain a detailed overview of the legal and economic aspects of gambling and games of chance, the Commission asked the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law to carry out a study into the sector. The study is the result of close to two years work and provides an analysis of the legal regimes governing gambling and games of chance in the European Union. The study also attempts to give indications on the economic development of the sector. The study confirms that in all Member States the sector is subject to rules and regulations aimed at safeguarding public interest objectives. While pursuing broadly similar aims the national laws and regulations vary considerably and often lead to barriers to the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment that are incompatible with Community law.

• US - Gaming firms plan for US upheaval (BBC)
  A new law effectively makes internet gambling illegal in the US. Legislation which makes it a federal offence for firms to accept or handle money obtained from online gaming in the US was signed into law by President George W Bush. There is still some uncertainty about the scope of the law and how it will be implemented. The government has 270 days in which to issue regulations stating that banks and other institutions must block gaming-related transactions.

Issue no. 367 - 23 September 2006

• EU - Distance Selling Directive: state of play and public consultation (RAPID)
  The European Commission has adopted a Communication on the implementation of Directive 1997/7/EC on Distance Selling, and launched a consultation in order to assess the need to update the Directive. see also Questions and Answers on Distance Selling

• FR - Jeux en ligne: la Française des Jeux et le PMU défendent leur monopole face à Bwin (ZDNet France)
  Les dirigeants du site de paris sportifs Bwin.com ont été mis en examen par la police française. Ils risquent plusieurs années de prison pour avoir violé le monopole d´État de la FDJ et du PMU, en proposant aux internautes français de parier en ligne. La police française a arrêté les deux patrons de la société de paris en ligne Bwin.com.

• French curbs on gambling face challenge (Financial Times)
  France is likely to face a legal challenge from the European Commission over its restrictions on gambling operators. The threat was made following the arrest in France of two senior executives of Bwin, an Austrian online sports betting operator. The French authorities claim Bwin has violated French gaming law, which bans private sports betting businesses from operating in the country. Under EU law, governments have the right to place restrictions on gambling and sports betting operators, but they must be "non-discriminatory, proportionate and consistent". Mr McCreevy's spokesman said: "It is not acceptable to limit the freedom to provide betting services on account of protecting consumers and at the same time allow monopoly holders to advertise betting services."

• US - Sportingbet arrest threatens internet gambling (Guardian)
  The future of all unlicensed forms of internet gambling - from poker to horse racing bets - in at least seven US states was under threat after it emerged that the arrest of Peter Dicks, Sportingbet's British chairman, at New York's JFK airport was linked to Louisiana state's wide-ranging laws against gambling by computer. Most legal experts had, until yesterday, seen the federal Wire Act 1961 as the main threat to internet gaming operators targeting US customers. But several states, including Louisiana, have more up-to-date laws, more suited to the internet age.

Issue no. 366 - 3 September 2006

• UK - How click-happy Britain fell in love with online shopping (Guardian)
  Rather than battle their way through the hordes on the high street at the weekend, British shoppers are embracing the internet, spending more than their European counterparts booking holidays, hunting out book and DVD bargains and having groceries delivered to their door.

Issue no. 365 - 15 August 2006

• DE - Internet-Sperren gegen Wettanbieter gefordert (Golem.de)
  Nachdem das private Wettangebot von Betandwin alias Bwin verboten wurde, werden nun Stimmen laut, die Internet-Sperren gegen Wettanbieter ohne Konzession fordern. Schwarze Listen für Internet-Provider werden in die Diskussion gebracht.

Issue no. 358 - 21 April 2006

• EU - Increasing number of counterfeit medicines sold via internet (EurActiv)
  The Commission has warned consumers about an illegal obesity drug currently sold on the internet which has not passed the safety evaluation process of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

Issue no. 356 - 27 February 2006

• EU - Country of origin rule cut from Services Directive (out-law.com)
  MEPs adopted a watered-down draft Services Directive, removing the "country of origin" principle that would have entitled European traders to work in any of the 25 Member States while complying only with the relevant laws of their home state. MEPs have adopted a "freedom to provide services" provision. This requires that Member States respect the right of the service provider to supply services and guarantee the provider "free access to and free exercise of a service activity within its territory".

• IT - Italian Gov't Declares War on Illegal Online Gambling (Ohmynews)
  AAMS, the Italian governmental agency in charge of controlling state monopolies, said some 517 'illegal' or 'unauthorized' gambling Web sites are going to be obscured by an ISP level filter so that Italian Internet users will not be able to connect to them. Italian ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have also been ordered to deny access to several Chinese Web sites showing 'Serie A' soccer games.

Issue no. 354 - 31 January 2006

• UK sets up summit on online gambling (Financial Times)
  The UK is to host the firstinternational summit on online gaming this year amid growing ministerial concern about the need to protect children and the industry's potential for criminal infiltration by rogue operators. The UK last year became the only industrialised nation to introduce a regulatory framework for the online gambling industry with passage of the Gambling Act. However, with other countries - notably the US - refusing to regulate the industry, ministers acknowledge the UK is operating in isolation. They want to ensure agreed measures are in place to stop children from using online gambling sites and to prevent the possibility of money laundering.

Issue no. 346 - 2 October 2005

• UK - eBay faces court over lens sales (BBC)
  Online auction company eBay is facing court action over claims it allowed contact lenses to be sold on the site. The General Optical Council claims people buying lenses online risk serious eye problems because they do not receive the necessary checks. By law, lenses must be sold by a registered optician or doctor.

Issue no. 342 - 31 July 2005

• Happy e-birthdays (Economist)
  After ten years, what has been learnt about succeeding as an e-business?

Issue no. 341 - 9 July 2005

• M-payments scheme falls apart (EurActiv)
  A future where your mobile phone could also be a Europe-wide purse took a step backwards with the collapse in June 2005 of Simpay. Following the defection of T-Mobile to pursue its own scheme, Simpay announced it would fold. The venture, set up by Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Telefónica Móviles in 2003, aimed to create a cross-Europe system allowing payments of up to €10 to be made via mobile phones. However, the scheme was beset by delays and the inability of the founders, who were market competitors and therefore rivals, to agree. The result may either be the emergence of separate m-payment systems for each mobile company (with inevitable costs to consumers in cross-border transactions) or the fading-out altogether of the m-payment idea in favour of other technologies.

Issue no. 340 - 23 June 2005

• EU - Commission seeks mandate to negotiate UN Convention on "e-contracting" (RAPID)
  The European Commission has asked the Council for authorisation to open negotiations, on behalf of the EU, on a draft UN Convention aiming to make it easier to conclude international business to business contracts electronically. The negotiations will take place within the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Issue no. 338 - 7 May 2005

• ICC - International guidelines on e-marketing (out-law.com)
  The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has updated guidance on marketing and advertising using electronic media, advocating a light touch when it comes to regulating the sector. Compliance should present no problems for UK businesses. The guidelines cover advertising over the internet, through on-line and interactive services, and electronic communication networks including the telephone, SMS/MMS, digital radio and television. They have been updated in light of technical advances in the market since 1998, when they were last amended.

• US - 20 arrested in crackdown on Internet pharmacies (AP)
  Twenty people in the United States and abroad were arrested on charges they ran Internet pharmacies that illegally shipped narcotics, steroids and amphetamines to teenagers and other buyers around the world.

Issue no. 337 - 13 April 2005

• US and Antigua dispute WTO ruling on gambling (BBC)
  The United States and the tiny Caribbean state of Antigua and Barbuda are both claiming victory in a trade dispute over online gambling. It follows a ruling by the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) top court, which partially reversed an earlier decision that was greatly in Antigua's favour. Washington said the ruling accepted it could prevent Antiguan online gambling firms from operating in the US. Yet Antigua said its firms would still be able to enter the US market. Full text of report.

Issue no. 332 - 22 February 2005

• NL - Ladbrokes loses Dutch online case (Guardian)
  Britain's biggest bookmaker, Ladbrokes, has been barred from offering internet betting services to punters in the Netherlands by the Dutch supreme court. The ruling follows a lawsuit from the Dutch Lotto after Ladbrokes placed adverts in several Dutch newspapers during the World Cup three years ago. Ladbrokes does not hold a permit to offer bets in the Netherlands and has no shops in the country.

Issue no. 329 - 23 January 2005

• IM - Isle of Man changes gambling rules (New York Times)
  Reversing a four-year-old policy, the Isle of Man is now allowing Internet casinos based there to accept bets from American residents. The change, while affecting only a handful of Internet casinos, adds a wrinkle to an emerging trade battle between the United States and much of the world over Internet gambling.

Issue no. 324 - 21 November 2004

• WTO rules against US gambling ban (BBC)
  US laws prohibiting cross-border gambling break trade rules, the World Trade Organisation says. The WTO case was brought by the Caribbean state of Antigua and Barbuda, host to many of the online casinos whose use is illegal in the US. The ruling confirms a preliminary judgement issued in March. But the US said it will appeal and - as a last resort - could activate its right to change the deal under which it joined the WTO in the first place.

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