Online gaming now counts tens of millions of real money players, many in the coveted Asian markets, but as gambling plays an increasingly important role in the virtual worlds it is becoming clear that technology is outrunning regulation on payments, money laundering and player protection. Alex Wade looks at the ways in which Massively Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) cut across conventional gambling laws.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe – Spain
14 Nov, 2007
Poker might not yet be quite as popular in Spain as it is in other European countries but Spanish participation in both online and land-based poker tournaments is becoming increasingly commonplace. Despite this, a large number of these tournaments are illegal under Spanish law, at least in theory.
Online Poker Facing Player Confidence Meltdown
26 Oct, 2007
In the four years since Texas Hold ‘Em swept the world, online poker has become a licence to print money for a vast number of operators, as high stakes and humble dollar buy-in players alike took the game on trust. Now, thanks to the scandal engulfing www.absolutepoker.com, that trust has been severely dented, if not, in Absolute’s case, irreparably shattered, and legal remedies are scarce.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe- Sweden
22 Oct, 2007
If Scandinavia as a whole represents an area of seemingly limitless opportunity for online poker operators, it is in Sweden that the game has found its strongest footing.
Gambling Takes Root In Albania’s Mayhem
16 Oct, 2007
A quirky legal framework for gambling in the once brutal and isolated nation has created an apparently free market allowing the establishment of casinos and online sports betting but exemptions abound and tax hikes remain hard to predict.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe – Holland
11 Sep, 2007
Although Dutch players are revered on the world poker scene, restrictive legislation in Holland limits opportunities for Dutch nationals to play the game outside of state-owned casinos.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe - Belgium
13 Aug, 2007
Belgium’s poker devotees are currently limited to playing only in the country’s casinos but rules regarding tournaments have relaxed and liberalisation of online play may yet be on the cards.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe - Germany
06 Aug, 2007
Stereotypes of Teutonic rigour and the outlaw world of Texas Hold ‘em do not, at first blush, make for easy bedfellows but the game is poised to boom in Germany, beyond land based casinos, providing the law is prepared to accommodate the realities of card rooms and online play.
A Summer Of Suffering In Scandinavia
30 Jul, 2007
Poker players in Scandinavia are suffering more than their brethren around the world, thanks to the zero tolerance policy that appears to have been tacitly agreed to by the authorities.
Exploring The Status Of Poker In Europe – France
28 Jul, 2007
As part of Gamblingcompliance.com’s series exploring poker’s legal status throughout Europe, Alex Wade notes that whilst poker was recently authorized in French casinos, the game’s online incarnation continues to be stifled by prohibitive legislation.