France’s Gaming Regulator Gets More Power to Block Illegal Sites

France’s unified gaming regulator, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), is getting more control over the online gaming segment. 

It can now directly order ISPs and search engines to block unlicensed online operators in the country.

France’s government has granted the ANJ the right to take action against illegal gaming operators that target the country. As a result, any site that doesn’t have a license is persona non grata, and the regulator can now more easily push it out of the market.

Previously, France’s gaming regulators, unified through the creation of the ANJ, could intervene when they discovered an unlicensed platform. But shutting it down was difficult. Now, the regulator can tell ISPs and online search engines to block certain sites without having to cut through a lot of bureaucratic red tape like before.

The ANJ doesn’t have to prove that the site was necessarily targeting French consumers. It only has to consider it a threat to the country’s online gaming market.

ANJ’s power comes through amendments to the country’s “Law to Democratize Sport.” This legislation primarily deals with sports and sports betting, but lawmakers snuck in the additional language before approving the law on March 2.

Similar responses are emerging in other countries, including Sweden and the Netherlands. Lawmakers in both countries are taking a stronger position against unlicensed operators. More block requests in Australia have the Australian 우리카지노Communications and Media Authority asking for more power there, as well.

Betting Ads Get More Restrictions

In addition to clamping down on unlicensed operators, the ANJ is also looking at betting ads. It unveiled recently an action plan to better regulate the advertising practices of gambling operators. The plan includes “guidelines” and “recommendations” aimed at preventing excessive gambling and protecting minors.

The ANJ had committed to better regulate these practices in view of the “strong and unprecedented advertising pressure of betting operators that accelerated in 2021.” This was especially problematic during the Euro soccer championships in June and July, according to ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin in comments to local media outlet AFP. She added that the regulator may ultimately impose sanctions in the event of a breach of the rules it lays down.

Six months later, the authority wanted to define clear rules that would be “fully operational” in September. This would see them arrive just in time for the FIFA World Cup in November and December. The rules follow the conclusion of an online consultation that included gambling operators, advertisers, health professionals and associations, sports federations, the educational community and the general public,

New Regulations Address ‘Fragmented’ Environment

The new rules build on the decree on commercial communications related to gambling issued on November 4, 2020. They are “flexible legal tools” fitted to a “highly fragmented digital world,” according to Falque-Pierrotin.

As a result, advertising is prohibited when “it incites excessive gambling,” “trivializes” or “values” it, says the decree. The ANJ asserts that the advertising cannot contain “scenes of excitement or emotion of disproportionate intensity” or that equate the game CHECK HERE with a “feat,” bringing the player closer to “an extreme sportsman.”

Advertising for gambling must also not present the activity as an alternative option to paid work. It cannot be a “solution to personal difficulties.” In addition, it cannot target children or adolescents. Therefore, the advertisements can’t use activities or cultural works that are popular with younger age groups.

The ANJ also gives suggestions for reducing the amount of advertising pressure. It suggests a maximum of three messages for all operators combined during each advertisement break on television and radio.

It suggests a maximum of “three commercial communications each day and per medium” for websites and social media.

Terre Haute Casino Groundbreaking Draws Closer After Rezoning Approved

A couple of key steps were taken this past week as officials in Terre Haute, Ind., signed off on changes Churchill Downs Inc. made to its planned casino in the west central Indiana city.

On Thursday, the Terre Haute City Council voted to approve a zoning change to roughly 50 acres of property on the town’s east side. Rezoning the property from agricultural to commercial that Churchill Downs intends to buy was necessary in order for the Louisville-based gaming company to build the Queen of Terre Haute, a $240 million poker casino and hotel in sunvalley that’s expected to house 1,000 slot machines and 50 table games.

When the Indiana Gaming Commission first selected CDI to build the casino in November, the company proposed building its casino on the south side of Terre Haute. The three other companies that sought the license proposed developments on the city’s east side, where there’s more land available and city leaders had indicated as their preference.

During its presentation to the IGC, CEO Bill Carstanjen said the company would consider looking at other sites. Last month, Churchill Downs announced it found a location with frontage on Interstate 70.

While it’s only a couple of miles away from the initial site, all involved in the process hope the new location will help draw more people from the카지노사이트 western half of the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Indiana’s largest city is located about an hour east of Terre Haute.

Churchill Downs is on the agenda for Tuesday’s IGC meeting in Indianapolis to discuss the Terre Haute casino project. The commission has said it supports the company’s plan to simultaneously secure state and local approval for the changes.

Other Approvals Still Needed

Even if the commission approves the changes at Tuesday’s meeting, it does not mean everything will be lined up just yet for a groundbreaking. A Board of Zoning Appeals hearing that was set for last week was canceled for lack of a quorum. Churchill Downs was set to ask that organization for approval to build a 150-foot structure in an area where building heights are limited to 125 feet.

The board is expected to take up the variance proposal perhaps as soon as later this month.

Another issue that will need approval is the Federal Aviation Administration approving the project because of its proximity to the city’s airport. Ryan Jordan, senior vice president of real estate development for Churchill Downs, said that should be approved by some time in May.

It’ll be a few weeks to get prepared and mobilized for groundbreaking, and hopefully, early summer is when we’ll be able to (start) construction,” Jordan said after the city council meeting.

Carstanjen told investment analysts in late February that the company expects the casino to open in late 2023.

Churchill Downs Buying, Selling, and Building

The Terre Haute casino is one of several irons in the fire for Churchill Downs. It has construction projects underway at its namesake track in Louisville, Turfway Park in northern Kentucky, and Rivers Des Plaines just outside of Chicago. It’s also in the process of selling Arlington Park in Illinois and a large parcel of land at its Calder Casino in Florida.

The company also just announced a major acquisition of nearly all Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) properties and projects. The nearly $2.5 billion deal gives Churchill Downs casinos in New York and Iowa, and the rights to build one in Virginia. The purchase, scheduled to close by year’s end, also greatly expands the company’s footprint in historical horse racing.