Latest News in brief
as at Nov 11, 2004

Sorted alphabetically - this column includes Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean and the Americas (Central, South and North America)- jurisdictions offering interactive gambling licenses.

We provide information on a total of 77 jurisdictions offering some form of online gambling licence. Follow country links in the Internet Gambling Licenses Database to find an internet gaming license.

Africa – Comoros (Anjouan) - 2002: The cost of the incorporation and renewal of a gaming company is US$21,400 per year. Comoros (Anjouan)

Africa – Seychelles - Dec 29, 2003: The Interactive Gambling Act has been complemented by the International Corporate Service Providers Act, 2003, which regulates company and trust formation and related services. Seychelles

Africa - South Africa - Sept 29, 2004: The South African Government has taken its first steps to legalise online gambling. It has published the National Gambling Bill, which deals with online gambling, among other issues. South Africa

Africa - Tanzania - Oct 20, 2003: The first of a new generation of land-based kiosk networks has been launched. Tanzania

Asia Pacific - Australia – Jul 12, 2004: Communications Minister Daryl Williams today announced the Government had decided against regulating betting exchanges, following a review of Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Foreign online betting exchanges will be able to seek licences to operate in Australia after Federal cabinet decided not to amend the Interactive Gambling Act to ban them.Australia Also, see the latest regulatory update courtesy of legal from Lander & Rogers. Click here

Asia Pacific - China -Aug 9, 2004: RTG Ventures, Inc. has signed an agreement with NewCoTech, Inc. to license its powerful data base technology for its own soon-to-launch gaming portal in the People's Republic of China. In 2002, RTG Ventures signed an exclusive contract with the Chinese Sports Ministry to bring Internet-based games of skill and chance to the People's Republic of China, including the Chinese Chess Championships (Xiangqi) and Mah-Jong and Chinese Poker games and tournaments.

Asia Pacific - Nepal - Mar 15, 2004: An internet gambling site has been launched in Kathmandu. From the casino's online site one can also bet on live international tournaments including cricket, football, golf and horse-racing. Nepal

Asia Pacific - New Zealand - Aug 30, 2004: The New Zealand Lotteries Commission will spend tens of millions of dollars replacing its IT systems over the next two years, paving the way for it to sell gaming products through interactive TV, the internet and via mobile phones. On July 1, 2004, NZ’s sweeping law changes that restrict internet gambling came into effect. The act allows interactive gambling by internet, cellphone and television, but only through the Lotteries Commission and the TAB. New Zealanders will be able to bet on overseas websites. New Zealand

Asia Pacific - Norfolk Island - Mar 7, 2003: Internet gambling legislation now looks to follow the Australian model, based on the country's Commonwealth association. Norfiolk Island

Asia Pacific - North & South Korea: Jul 5, 2004: By as early as next month, South Koreans will freely be able to access North Korean Web sites without having to receive prior permission from the government.In related news, the Southern government also mended its fences with Hoonnet, revealing its plan to allow the software developer to start new inter-Korean business operations.North Korea

Asia Pacific – Philippines (Cagayan) – Sept 16, 2004: G-Master has been appointed by the Philippine Government as preferred agent for its new internet sportsbook ‘Restrictive License’ for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. Cagayan

Asia Pacific – Philippines - Sept 28, 2004: The Quezon City Mayor has ordered the closure of three more e-casino outlets reportedly operating in the guise of Internet and computer gaming cafes in the city. In other news, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has asked the National Telecommunications Commission to tighten its supervision of telecommunications firms to curb high-stakes gambling via cellular phones, especially among minors. Philippines

Asia Pacific – Taiwan - Jan 27, 2003: According to news reports, on Feb 2 an online gambling casino will be launched, allowing players to try their luck with virtual money. Taiwan

Asia – Pacific – Vanuatu - Mar 17, 2003: The Government of Vanuatu has announced amendments to its Interactive Gaming legislation, to offer a more competitive licensing regime for online sportsbooks and betting exchanges. Vanuatu

Asia Pacific – Vietnam - Aug 5, 2004: Communist Vietnam, which tightly controls access to the Internet within its borders, has formed a special police unit to investigate online crime including "cheating or gambling via the Internet.”Vietnam

Caribbean - Antigua and Barbuda - Nov 1, 2004: Talks to resolve a dispute between the U.S. and Antigua over the Bush administration’s ban on Internet gambling have ended without either sides reaching an agreement. The next step in the dispute is for Lovell and the Sunshine government to formally tell the WTO by Nov. 4 that it intends to resume litigation. The WTO would then have to release the findings of its panel, clearing the way for a U.S. appeal.Antigua & Barbuda

Caribbean – Dominica – 2002: All Internet gaming & wagering business in Dominica operate under the terms of an agreement drawn up between the gaming company and the Government of Dominica. Dominica

Caribbean - Dominican Republic – 2001: Internet casinos and sportsbooks are believed to be operating out of the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic

Caribbean - Grenada – 2001: Internet casinos and sportsbooks are believed to be operating out of Grenada. Grenada

Caribbean - Jamaica – May 20, 2004: According to local news sources in Jamaica, the case against the Montego Bay-based Sports Data Services Limited, which is accused of illegally carrying out internet betting, was postponed until July 26. Jamaica

Caribbean - Netherland Antilles (Curacao) - Sept 26, 2002: The Curacao Internet Gaming Association has announced representation of the online gaming industry in Curacao. This follows the announcement on Aug 10 that the Curacao Gaming Control Board has asked the central government of the Netherlands Antilles to decentralize the regulation of the island's Internet gambling industry. Curacao

Caribbean - St Kitts & Nevis – 2000: The government of St. Kitts and Nevis issues a generic gaming license authorizing the holder to carry on the business of physical gaming, Internet gaming, horse or greyhound betting or sportsbook betting. St Kitts & Nevis

Caribbean - St Vincent & the Grenadines – 2001: Internet casinos and sportsbooks are believed to be operating out of Grenada. St Vincent & the Grenadines

Caribbean - US Virgin Islands - Jan 10, 2004: The U.S. Department of Justice believes that the acceptance of wagers by gambling businesses located in the Virgin Islands from individuals located either outside of the Virgin Islands or within the Virgin Islands (but where the transmission is routed outside the Virgin Islands) would violate federal law. U.S. Virgin Islands

Central America – Belize – Oct 1, 2004: Said Musa, the Prime Minister and Minister Responsible for Gaming Control, has approved new gaming regulations. Of relevance are adjustments made to the Online Gaming regime for a more efficient processing and monitoring capacity while reducing the normal fees previously associated with licenses in Belize. Belize

Central America - Costa Rica – Sept 27, 2004: After more than two years of debate by the country’s lawmakers, Costa Rica’s fiscal tax reform package has finally reached the floor of the legislative assembly. The bill would make permanent taxes on casinos and online gambling firms. Costa Rica

Central America – Panama - Aug 14, 2003: New offshore sportsbook BetPanAm.com is the first officially licensed and government regulated sportsbook in Panama. It also has an online casino, and operates under the Online Gaming Act of Nov 2002. Panama

North America – Canada - Sept 6, 2004: The Federal Court has been asked to decide whether Canada's first government-sanctioned Internet gambling site is legal. Canada

North America – Canada (Saskatchewan) - Oct 25, 2000: According to press reports, a group of five Indian bands in southern Saskatchewan plan to open an Internet casino to attract gamblers.Saskatchewan

North America – Canada (Kahnawake) - Feb 1, 2004: Kahnawake is a well respected jurisdiction within the online gaming community, and has been operating for many years. Further details on request Kahnawake

North America - Sept 4, 2004: Nevada gamblers can place sports wagers over a private remote network operated from licensed taverns following the State's approval of Virtgame's Primeline Sports Bet Express.Nevada

North America - New Jersey - Nov 1, 2004: The New Jersey Lottery has released Tetris, its second internet lottery game. Like all lottery games, this one is strictly a game of chance. Therefore, it is not considered Internet gambling and is permitted under state and federal laws. New Jersey

North America – United States – Oct 1, 2004: This week's passage of H.R. 5011 by the House Financial Services Committee. Oxley succeeds with internet gambling clause from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act (HR 2143 )in 9/11 Bill. If passed into law, the legislation "would bar Internet gambling sites access to the U.S. financial services system by preventing the use of credit cards, wire transfers, or any other bank instruments to fund illegal Internet gaming transactions." United States

North America – Washington – Mar 31, 2004: Washington Governor Gary Locke has signed a Senate bill that would legalize telephone and Internet wagering and expand simulcasting of horse racing. Washington

South America – Argentina - Feb 20, 2003: The Spanish group Codere, which administrates bingo and gaming (slot) machines in Argentina, has signed an agreement to sell live gambling games for cellular phones. Argentina

South America – Brazil – Oct 1, 2004: ROK Brazil Technologies, is to create and operate Brazil’s first lottery to be played on mobile phones. In other news, Netbooth has formed an alliance with Kiron Interactive to deploy virtual racing kiosks in Brazil. Brazil

South America – Chile Sept 16, 2004: Finnish-based provider of online and mobile gaming solutions, EGET, has won a deal to deliver new online games for Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, the state lottery operator of Chile. Chile

South America – Colombia – Jun 2002: The 25 companies which form Sociedad Nacional de Apuestas Permanentes e Inversiones (Sonapi) have updated their traditional betting games under the MiChance name, hoping to strengthen their operations in the face of increased competition from international companies. Colombia

South America – Venezuela - Feb 4, 2004: VIA Cell is in negotiations with representatives for the Venezuela lottery, and several other Latin American lotteries, to provide cell phone applications to purchase lottery tickets directly from a user's cell phone. Venezuela


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Latest News in brief
as at Nov 11, 2004

Sorted alphabetically - this column includes European and Mediterranean jurisdictions offering interactive gambling licenses.

We now have 151 listings for Internet Gaming Software & System Providers, plus articles and Internet Gaming Software News.

Sign up for the free newsletter on the right side of this page to keep on top on the latest information. This is opt-in and opt-out at any time, and our company is governed by Anti-Spam legislation. We do not on-sell our database.

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European Union - Jul 16, 2004: Stanleybet is to lodge a formal complaint against Italy with the European Commission. This issue is clearly contentious for the Commission as it has two other infringement proceedings open - one against Greece over a ban on e-gambling; and another against Denmark for restrictions on sports betting.European Union

Europe - Apr 2, 2004: The ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Communities (Case C-243/01) on the Gambelli case (Italy) is of importance to the sports betting industry. According to the ECJ decision, all EU member states must ensure that providers are permitted to offer the services they are licensed to provide in their respective countries of origin in other EU countries, unless national restrictions are justified on the grounds of public interest.Click here

Europe – Austria - Jan 28, 2003: Zone4Play, a content applications developer of Interactive games on an array of platforms, announced the launch of a new casino games service to UPC Digital TV subscribers in the Netherlands and Austria. Players acquire "points-for-play" through a premium rate telephony system. Austria

Europe – Belgium – Apr 14, 2004: In a report released by the Belgian Gambling Commission, which supervises wagering, more than 25,000 of Belgium's citizens play on Internet casinos on an average every month. Belgium

Europe - British Channel Islands (Alderney) - Oct 23, 2004: US land-based casino giant Harrah’s will close its LuckyMe soft gaming website at the end of October. Alderney

Europe - British Channel Islands (Sark) - Mar 10, 2003: Sark Island's Gambling Law which encompasses internet gambling received Royal Assent February 27, 2003. But according to press reports, the e-Gaming Committee has discovered a problem with its wording. It has recommended an amendment to a Chief Pleas meeting scheduled for 26 March 2003. Sark

Europe - Czech Republic – Sept 16, 2004: Sazka the largest betting and lottery company in the Czech Republic, and Cyberview International concluded the Agreement on the Operation of Betting Games through the central lottery system with interactive VLT’s. Czech Republic

Europe – Denmark -Jul 1, 2004: The betting and gaming company Ladbrokes, part of the United Kingdom group Hilton Group Plc, is reportedly to sue the Danish state in an effort to break the state's betting monopoly. Denmark

Europe - Estonia – Apr 20, 2004: European Game & Entertainment Technology Ltd Ab (EGET), a Finnish supplier of Internet gaming solutions, has delivered an Internet sports betting solution to the subsidiary of the Estonian Olympic Committee called Spordiennustus. Estonia

Europe - Finland (Aland Islands) - Oct 11, 2004: EGET has delivered the first mobile video poker game to PAF. On Jun 1, 2004, Internet gaming licensing became is available under the supervision of master licensee PAF. Currently, the licensing regime has allowed the operation of sports betting, lottery and casino games from the Åland islands. Aland Islands

Europe – Finland - May 21, 2004: The Finnish government has decided to reject applications by European Sports Betting Consultants Oyj (ESBC) and Landbrokers Oy regarding gambling licences in Finland. Finland

Europe – France - Nov 24, 2003: France's monopoly race betting network, Pari-Mutuel-Urbain has launched an Internet betting platform. France

Europe – Germany - Nov 15, 2004: Newly founded raceco.de, a partner of interactive betting platform provider scaraboo GmbH, will begin operation as the first German betting service for the placement of horseracing bets via mobile media and the internet. Germany

Europe – Gibraltar - Mar 13, 2001: Gibraltar is currently only offering bookmaking licenses, however this jurisdiction is attracting numerous sportsbetting operators. Gibraltar

Europe – Hungary - Jul 8, 2004: Locals using the services of foreign-headquartered online gambling operations may find themselves in trouble when it comes to claiming their prizes, because such services are considered to be illegal under Hungary's Gambling Act.

Europe – Iceland - Nov 4, 2004: Íslandsspil (Icelandic Gaming) has opened a new interactive casino-gaming website with play-for-fun games. Iceland

Europe – Ireland - Jul 26, 2004: Irish lottery players may soon be able to play the Lotto via the internet, mobile phones and digital TV. Ireland

Europe - Isle of Man - May 28, 2004: Recent changes in the regulatory structure of the e-gaming sector in the Isle of Man (IoM) have been successful in attracting some big name players to the jurisdiction, the government has announced. The Isle of Man completed an overhaul of their i-gaming policy in January, as some of their initial regulations were not commercially-friendly to iGaming businesses. Isle of Man

Europe - Jersey - Jul 5, 2004: A casino, online gambling, bingo and a new lottery could be introduced under plans put forward by a States committee in Jersey. Jersey

Europe – Latvia - Jul 2003: Last month the Saeima approved amendments to the law governing lotteries and gambling games, introducing an interactive gambling license. Latvia

Europe – Liechtenstein - Dec 1, 2001: The PLUS Lotto internet gaming site is fully licensed by the government of Liechtenstein in Europe. Liechtenstein

Europe – Luxembourg - Jul 12, 2001: European Game & Entertainment Technology has entered into an agreement with the Loterie Nationale, the Luxembourg National Lottery, to provide an Internet Gaming System allowing players in Luxembourg to access over the internet a number of lottery games foe entertainment purposes (no cash transactions). Luxembourg

Europe – Malta - Jun 14, 2004: WorldMatch has become the first firm to gain an online gaming licence in Malta following the enactment of new legislation. In April 2004 the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority revised the regulations whereby other Gaming activities including online casinos, casino-style games, betting exchanges and lotteries could be allowed after an application is submitted and a license is granted. Malta

Europe – Monaco - Jan 28, 2003: Boss Media and the Société des Bains de Mer in Monte Carlo are in close co-operation in the process of developing and launching a system to be operated over the internet from the principality of Monaco. Monaco

Europe – Norway - May 21, 2002: Norsk Tipping, the Norwegian National Lottery, has launched its wide range of games on the Internet. Norwegian players can register their sports and lottery coupons directly from their own computers. Norway

Europe – Russia - Oct 5, 2004: MegaFon, Russia’s third largest and fastest growing cell network operator, was the first to offer mobile casino service. Last week saw the announcement of the first mobile casino, which is independent from all operators and therefore open to all mobile phone users. The first game, introduced by the Flash Money company, is Flash Slot. Russia

Europe – Russia (Kalmykia) - Dec 14, 2001: Kalmykia apparently offers I-gaming licenses. In the rest of the Russian Federation, however, the rules that govern gambling, particularly online gaming, are sketchy. Kalmykia

Europe – Slovenia - Jul 3, 2003: Internet gaming supplier Boss Media has signed a contract to deliver an Internet casino to the Slovenian hotel and casino organization HIT Enterprise. Slovenia

Europe – Spain - Aug 24, 2004: Officials with the Professional Football League (LFP) in Spain are hoping that an interactive betting system will create new revenue streams. Components include: wagering on additional sports as well as racing; in-game betting; and the integration of mobile and iTV platforms. Spain

Europe – Sweden - Nov 4, 2004: The National Gaming Board is threatening to close gaming companies’ Swedish offices following a ruling in the Supreme Administrative Court that the Swedish gaming monopoly does not violate European regulations. Sweden

Europe - Switzerland - Jun 5, 2003: Switzerland's Casino Baden has an internet site, as does the National Lottery. In other news, Scientific Games Austria has signed a contract with SWISSLOS, to deliver an on-line gaming system that will operate the Swiss version of the popular ODDSET sports betting products. Switzerland

Europe - The Netherlands - Jun 9, 2004: The first ruling has been delivered in the long running case De Lotto brought against Ladbrokes, regarding the right of the British company to offer online gambling in Holland. The judgement has been made in favour of Ladbrokes. The Netherlands

Europe – United Kingdom - Nov 2, 2004: The second reading of the Gambling Bill passed 286 to 212, a majority of 74. However, Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, is likely to announce changes during the Bill's committee stage. The UK Gambling Bill was published on October 19 2004.The gambling bill will allow operators of casinos and poker sites to be licensed in the UK for the first time, but the fine details of the remote gaming licences remain less than clear. United Kingdom

Mediterranean - Cyprus - Sept 1, 2004: UK-based licensing law specialist firm, Poppleston Allen has revealed that over the past six months, it has been helping the Cypriot government create a new legislative framework for internet gambling in the jurisdiction. The draft framework will be considered by the government's betting steering committee within the next two months. Cyprus

Mediterranean - Israel - Jul 9, 2004: The Toto-Israel Sports Betting Council announced that interactive television betting on soccer games would be introduced this season. Israel

We now have 151 listings for Internet Gaming Software & System Providers, plus articles and Internet Gaming Software News.

Sign up for the free newsletter on the right side of this page to keep on top on the latest information. Just scroll to the top of the page, right side. This is opt-in and opt-out at any time, and our company is governed by Anti-Spam legislation. We do not on-sell our database.

We provide information on a total of 75 jurisdictions offering some form of internet gaming or igaming licence. Follow country links in the Internet Gambling Licenses Database to find an internet gaming license.