It is claimed in the 2001 Australian Interactive Gambling Act that ‘click to call’ service is against the law. However, this did not hinder bet365 based in Australia in initiating the service. This comes even it is clear that the service has brought in a lot of controversies and has prompted the federal police to undertake a thorough investigation on the matter.

Bet365 becomes the third Australian based betting company to activate the project after Willian Hill and Ladbroke Australia had earlier opened the service to their platforms in April. The three betting firms claim that the service falls within the jurisdiction of the 2001 Australian Interactive Gambling Act.

The so called ‘click to call’ service is designed in a manner that a gambler can activate his microphone where he can have a conversation with betting firm’s agents who would in turn place a bet with clients authorization and on his behalf.

The three UK betting companies belief that the service will act as a telephone conversation between a bettor and a betting agent from which they claim would not have violated in betting rules. However, national operators argue otherwise as they claim that the service which has been offering clients live betting as a breach of law.

This prompted the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) to review the rules and in end it handed the investigation matter to the federal police who would have the rights to conduct the investigation and get the real evidence.

There would be a massive loss in the Atlantic City of New Jersey if the case advocates for the eradication of sports betting. The case has been going on for some time now and the moment of truth is about to unfold itself once the final ruling is done this month.

A brief history of New Jersey’s battle for legal sports betting

It started back in 1992 when sports league asked the Congress to pass the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which claimed that no other state could legalize sports betting apart from Nevada which had initiated it before.

20 years later in 2012, New Jersey tried to legalize it but the sports leagues took a swift action where they forbid the act by moving to the court. In the first attempt, the state lost and this was the trend in the appeal case.

Since PASPA was unconstitutional, New Jersey went ahead in incorporating sports betting claiming that they were not under state laws but was governed by the federal laws. However, in 2014, Gov. Chris Christie claimed that sports betting would only take place casinos and racetracks.

What’s at stake?

If the state wins the case, it would promptly call for the strong partnership between Monmouth Park racetrack and British betting firm William Hill in incorporating sports betting for football which kicks off this September. In 2014, the total amount accrued from gambling was $3.9 billion with almost a half of this emanating from football betting. This explains why football is the most popular game in the state. It was followed by basketball with $1.1 billion with baseball coming in third with $722 million.

Why is the NBA suing to prevent legal sports betting if Commissioner Adam Silver has come out in favor of it?

Adam is for the sport betting legalization. Actually he demands the eradication of PASPA and the full control of gambling market be accorded to sports leagues and law enforcements. Some even argue that Adam wants some backing from other commissioners in attempt to eradicate sports betting.

The losing side can appeal the case but it would take a long time as it involves all 23 panel judges’ consideration unlike the three who would make the final call.

There has been intense pressure on mounting on the Hesse ministry of interior and Sports (HMDIS) for them to come up with another structure when it comes to the framework in sports betting. The regulatory body has been receiving plenty of criticisms pertaining legislation processes.

The German Green Party was the last critics when it came to the framework. There were statements claiming that HMDIS should get rid of the 20 license cap and have the licensing provisions that are based on the operators fulfilling the required quality requirements and not coming up with their policies which are set to a number of bookmarkers that have been pre-qualified by the regulator.

The Green Party came to learn that they would be supporting all their attempts to change the framework to sports betting which was developed by the HMDIS.

Their support for the reform emanated from June’s news that the European Court of Justice would carry out investigations on the legislative procedure after complaints from the European operators that HMDIA was breaching the interstate competition practices and business policies on best practises.

Media houses from Germany have delivered reports that about 80 operators had sent in quest to acquire 20 HMDIS licenses. The ones who had their application rejected complained that the regulator did not have any detailed reports on why they had rejected the applications.

The Luxembourg based ECJ court is expected to have their verdict from their finding delivered by September.

Analysts from the industry believe that the reforms to Germany will be passed. They also believe that the operators who aim at entering the market need to look forward to further delays to the implementations of the frameworks.

This tension came to be in April when the sports betting licensing came to a detour after the resignation of a sports advisory body that was tasked with helping the gaming regulators in achieving their mandate.

It has been a long debate on whether the legalization of fantasy to eventually take place in New Jersey. However, before this is full considered, the judges will have to prove beyond doubt that it would cater for the interest of the game or would concentrate on making huge profits. With the ongoing trend in terms of relation between reality and fantasy betting, there is a high possibility that New Jersey will be accorded with what it desires and this would in turn be a focal point as the whole United States will be guaranteed fantasy betting.

It is however believed that fantasy betting popularity would be low in U.S as many prefer betting on real betting. According to the 1992 federal law passed by Congress, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), it was deemed illegal despite it being staged in selected outlets such as Las Vegas. This didn’t however ban fantasy betting as various states were given mandate to decide on whether to incorporate it or not.

Diehard gamblers, sports fan and betting firms have claimed that Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) a new format of fantasy sport betting is less than real betting. Their reason for this is that in order to have a potential outcome with good profit in DFS, one has to go through a learning process in attempt to achieve some statistical data of the sport. This means that those who just select teams and players without second thought find themselves losing more than they can imagine. There is uncertainty among others who believe that this is gambling as one is placing cash on unsure result with a motive of winning some extra money from it.

In New Jersey, mixed reactions have been evident for a long time now. Back in 2011, populace of the state voted in for legalization of all sports betting in attempt to increase state’s revenue from its’ main gambling city; the Atlantic City. However, the process seemed to defy federal rules and the state government decided to tighten their rules in keep betting locked up. However, this didn’t stop New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which owns Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanside to file an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Up to now, the judges have yet to make an official statement on fantasy sports betting in New Jersey. However, many would prefer betting on real betting unlike the less informed fantasy betting. Even the president of Game Sports Networks Dan Orlow gives the state a 50/50 chance of being accorded with fantasy betting but claims that a “yes” would be much welcomed by him.

The slow pace in Germany’s online sports betting framework is set to be investigated by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This is after criticisms that were aimed at Hesse Ministry in Interior and Sports (HMDIS) procedures brought forth by the many stakeholders.

The ECJ is scheduled to launch investigations in the procedures of legislation that might be thought to have crumbled down after rulings that was not favourable from the Administrative Courts of Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.

The investigations are thought to venture into knowing the licensing procedure of the Hesse Ministry which a limitation of 20 pre licensed operators accessible by the German sports betting market.

Criticisms have been aired towards HDMIS after a myriad of sporting organizations, sectors in the government and internationally recognized operators who have been puzzled about the transparency of the ministry regarding the licenses approval. This has occurred after the licensing framework announcement.

Investigation findings indicated that 80 operators have sent in their application to gain one of the 20 licenses that were being offered by HMDIS. The procedure said to be restricting has brought a lot of criticism and has embarrassed the regulators from HMDIS.

An announcement was made in April 2015 regarding the German sports body SAB stating that they would not be in a position to be involved in discussions that were related to the nation’s online sports betting framework. The body said that they felt as if their contribution was not being valued.

This investigation by the ECJ might bring about delays for the implementation of a framework for the online sports betting in Germany. The ECJ court might deliver their ruling and findings on the processes of legislation before or on September.

The ECJ is the Supreme Court when it comes to the European Union in matters that relate to the Union law which makes this case a perfect fit for the court. They job is to make sure that the EU make sure of equal application across Europe, as well as, its members of state. We look forward to a great session and good judgement for the case.