Gaming legislation
Legislation principally focuses on defining the
structure of the market and often includes both
taxation provisions and setting out core principles
relating to social issues and protections against
underage and problem gambling.
Regulation
Once legislated, the powers to define the details of
the online market and what products are permissible
are generally delegated to a department of state,
or an appointed regulator.
These define in detail the products which can
be offered, the operating environment and the
monitoring of its observance.
In Italy, for example, the AAMS undertakes the
regulatory oversight role. It defined the timeframe
for the development of the market once the 2006
Gaming Act had been passed.
Initially tournament poker was allowed from autumn
2008, but as from Q2 2010, poker cash tables and
bingo are both expected to become operational.
A number of prominent operators have been granted
licences to operate in Italy.
There is increasing perception of online gaming as a mainstream entertainment format.