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The never ending saga of the Italian decree regulating cash poker games and casino games seems to be almost over. The Administrative Court of Lazio Region rejected the claim brought by one of the major Italian gaming operators, Microgame, against the decree. Indeed, earlier this year, the Administrative Court of Lazio Region had ordered the temporary suspension of the efficacy of decree because of the alleged inconsistency between the decree notified to the European Commission and the one subsequently approved by the Italian Gaming Authority (AAMS).
Pending the temporary suspension of the decree, AAMS re-notified the decree together with all its technical specifications to the European Commission and the court now held that such second notification has actually “cured” the challenged defect. Therefore, unless Microgame decides to appeal against such decision, it will not be in the position to challenge the new version of the casino games and cash poker games decree under such grounds.
This is a very good news for the current operators that waited the launch of such new games for more than one year, but it represents a very good news also for the new entrants in the Italian market that will be able shortly to apply for an Italian remote gaming license.
However, despite the expected publication on the Italian Official Gazette of the new version of the decree in the next few days, it is likely that the launch of casino games and cash poker games will not occur before the end of first quarter of 2011. Indeed, also the current licensed operators shall first upgrade their license to the requirements prescribed by the new licensing regime and then go through a technical authorization process before being able to start offering such games to Italian players.
This means that new entrants in the market might have the time to obtain an Italian remote gaming license and launch these new games at the same time as the current operators without suffering a major competitive disadvantage. Therefore, the beginning of 2011 might represent a new stage for the Italian online gaming market with new games and new players. Such circumstance together with the consequential expected doubling of the turnover of the market are likely to attract the attention of the entire gaming world.
Pending the temporary suspension of the decree, AAMS re-notified the decree together with all its technical specifications to the European Commission and the court now held that such second notification has actually “cured” the challenged defect. Therefore, unless Microgame decides to appeal against such decision, it will not be in the position to challenge the new version of the casino games and cash poker games decree under such grounds.
This is a very good news for the current operators that waited the launch of such new games for more than one year, but it represents a very good news also for the new entrants in the Italian market that will be able shortly to apply for an Italian remote gaming license.
However, despite the expected publication on the Italian Official Gazette of the new version of the decree in the next few days, it is likely that the launch of casino games and cash poker games will not occur before the end of first quarter of 2011. Indeed, also the current licensed operators shall first upgrade their license to the requirements prescribed by the new licensing regime and then go through a technical authorization process before being able to start offering such games to Italian players.
This means that new entrants in the market might have the time to obtain an Italian remote gaming license and launch these new games at the same time as the current operators without suffering a major competitive disadvantage. Therefore, the beginning of 2011 might represent a new stage for the Italian online gaming market with new games and new players. Such circumstance together with the consequential expected doubling of the turnover of the market are likely to attract the attention of the entire gaming world.
Do you want to know more on the above? Feel free to contact me, Giulio Coraggio.
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