As the world becomes more and more integrated in many different spheres, gambling regulations are evolving in different places. Particularly with the rise of online gambling that crosses borders, countries are seeing a tightening of regulations that are intended to reach the broader global audience.
One of the countries that is seeing a lot of changes recently is Switzerland. Gambling is a popular activity there, and it is commonly seen as being a source of other problems in the country. In this article, we will take a closer look at how these regulations are changing and creating new trends that will shape the future of gambling.
Overview of Global Online Casino Regulations
In general, the EU has been a leader in creating regulations within the system. The EU itself has its own set of rules, and it also allows individual countries to apply their own regulations, as well. The EU Gambling Act of 2014 is what constituent countries need to follow for licensing requirements. It also governs taxation policies.
In the US, the situation is complicated, with responsibility for regulations and licensing being given to individual states. The situation is very diverse, with some states being quite lenient and others very strict. On Native American reservations, it is completely legal. Canada follows a similar tactic of giving provinces responsibility for creating rules.
And there are many other countries where online gambling has become popular. In India, for example, this has become a favorite pastime for many, and it presents complicated problems for the government. India devolved responsibility for governing gambling activity to individual regions some time ago, and it is actually illegal in certain parts. But with the easy access that online gambling provides, the government is struggling to enforce rules that adequately speak to regional particularities.
These are just a few of the places where online gambling sites have become popular and governments are trying to meet the challenges of regulating them. The reality is that these sites are popping up everywhere recently, so the challenge is truly global.
Trends in Online Casino Regulations in Europe with a Focus on Switzerland
With the rapid growth in online activity that the world has seen recently, regulations have been evolving in many places. Switzerland, being outside of the EU, faces its own unique challenges because it is outside the control of EU jurisdiction. Switzerland
is a place that has long been in need of tighter regulations due to problems associated with gambling (and recently, online gambling). In 2019, new legislation went into effect. This legislation completely reworded the entire practice, and rather than referring to it as gambling instead chose to call it “games of chance.” The name change was partially intended to cover a more comprehensive range of activities that involve the expectation of money or prizes.
This legislation makes a distinction between two different types of “games of chance,” namely between “large-scale” and “small-scale” games. Large-scale games include lotteries and associated activities that are carried out automatically or online. Small-scale games are those that are not automated or online. This has helped Swiss authorities better characterize aspects of the practice, but it has still been a struggle to manage. In addition, the subject of esports is one of constant debate, and Swiss authorities have not yet come to a single conclusion about how they should be approached.
It is in situations like this that having access to legal and academic writing can be extremely useful. The website Citeulike.org has a wealth of information on it, both for players as well as other parties associated with the industry. This site helps to clarify semantic nuances that lead to misunderstandings among regulators. It also helps to lay out procedures that need to be followed in order to stay in compliance with regulations.
The Role of Technology and Innovation in Compliance and Player Safety
There are exciting new technological advancements underway that are helping to shape the future of online gambling. For one thing, advancements in AI and blockchain are helping to personalize and anonymize the player experience. By using blockchain-based technologies, players can create personalized profiles and not worry about the exposure of sensitive information. In addition, payment and winnings are more often being based on cryptocurrency, which helps to protect player’s banking information from possible exposure. In the past, many sites used substandard security in their payment mechanisms, which caused accidental data exposure and allowed many people to become victims of banking-related crimes.
These blockchain technologies are becoming more and more widespread across the online gambling world, which is making the practice safer and more standardized for people in all regions. While they don’t address all of the problems associated with online gambling, making them more prominent on international sites will help reduce cyber crimes by a great deal.
The Future of Online Gambling Regulations
As the online gambling world becomes more integrated, there will be more incentive for regulators in different regions to standardize their policies and ensure player safety across national boundaries. This will also help countries like Switzerland which are in great need of stricter procedures to control gambling-related problems, both online and offline.
There will also be more pressure on governments to enforce standards. In order to stay in compliance, sites have to abide by several different sets of rules regarding licensing, payment, user behavior, and other aspects. It is up to the authorities to ensure that their rules are followed, and that sites that don’t comply are targeted and shut down.
Conclusion
Online gambling can be a fun and potentially profitable pastime. There are particular challenges these days with the huge growth in gambling sites globally, and the need for regulators to create and enforce fair conditions for everyone. Technology is helping by eliminating some of the more dangerous aspects of the practice. For it to really succeed, though, all the parties involved need to do their parts.
