Internet gaming is continuing its spread around the world and with each jurisdiction that authorises it come new challenges for regulators to establish and the industry to comply with unique jurisdictional requirements.
In an effort to minimise a patchwork of regulation, the International Association of Gaming Regulators has formed the eGambling Working Group. Created in 2006, the eGambling Working Group seeks to identify best practices for the regulation of interactive gambling.
Initially comprised of jurisdictions that were regulating internet gaming such as Alderney, Antigua, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and Malta, the group’s membership has recently expanded to include jurisdictions that wish to regulate the activity or in which the activity may one day be allowed, including the US. Together the members of the group create a multi-jurisdictional forum that draws on the experiences and expertise of a variety of viewpoints and recognises that there may be more than one way to effectively regulate online gaming.
In addition to being a forum for discussion, the group has produced tangible results beginning with a set of eGambling Guidelines. The guidelines cover both technical standards and specific areas critical to internet gaming regulation. These include age verification, player identification, customer protection, anti-money laundering and advertising.
The guidelines considered various standards, merged the important points and explained the various options for each area of e-gambling regulation. The document also contains a glossary of basic terms used in the internet gaming space. The guidelines, which are available on the IAGR website at www.iagr.org, are of particular benefit to jurisdictions and regulators new to online gambling that need to develop regulations.
The group has also produced a Compliance and Enforcement Toolkit. This document outlines the various approaches that can be taken in the ongoing regulation of interactive gambling. The toolkit begins with agreed upon objectives and principles and goes on to detail types of information such as reports that regulators could require from operators on a regular and ad hoc basis. In addition, it addresses the proactive steps regulators should take to ensure their licensees comply with the regulations.
This report can be read in full in the Spring 2012 issue of European Gaming Lawyer
