May 9 marked the end of the legislative session in the state of Alabama and, consequently, the failure of the highly controversial gambling bills, which the Senate did not pass. 

Alabama’s Gambling Bills Stalled After House Approval

Despite the gambling bills’ successful passage at the Alabama House on April 30, their positive progress was stopped short by the Senate not even reaching the Senate floor for a vote. 

To some extent, the bills’ demise was due to Sen. Greg Albritton last-minute change of mind. He supported the bills initially, however, he distanced himself from the legislation eventually when it reached the Senate, leaving the bills short of the necessary votes.

Notably the bills did not include the legalization of sports betting but facilitated the launch of a state education lottery, authorization of electronic games of chance, and regulation of traditional raffles and bingo.

The failed passage of the bills in the Senate means yet another setback for the already prolonged debate over gaming expansion in Alabama. The efforts of introducing comprehensive gambling legislation met serious resistance, which is very similar to the futile attempts to legalize gambling in Alabama in 1999.

House Lawmakers Decry Senate Inaction, Highlighting Lost Revenue Opportunities

Following the end of the Senate session, House lawmakers voiced their frustration regarding the Senate’s indecisiveness. Some of the proponents of the gambling bills such as Rep. Chris Blackshear expressed discontent as the failed passage of the legislation means yet another lost opportunity to secure additional revenue for critical sectors such as education and infrastructure, reported local media outlet Al.com.

Gov. Kay Ivey also echoed Blackshear’s sentiment and expressed disappointment over the Senate’s failure to act. She further added that every year the Senate keeps postponing gambling legislation.

Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, on the other hand, pointed out that Alabama residents will now keep going to neighboring states to buy lottery tickets and support the budgets of Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. 

On a recent visit to Alabama, Donald Trump Jr. also used the opportunity to criticize the Alabama Senate for not passing the gambling bills and allowing state residents to vote on the introduction of a state lottery. Trump Jr. questioned why state lawmakers decided to direct funds toward neighboring states instead of keeping them in Alabama. Gov. Kay advocated for the launch of a state lottery emphasizing the importance of letting residents decide.

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The leading sports-tech entertainment company, FanDuel Group, announced the launch of two new features, strengthening significantly its basketball offerings. The company said Thursday that it introduced its new product innovation called “The Pulse” along with a new feature called NBA League Pass.

The new NBA League Pass feature builds upon FanDuel’s successful partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Previously, the sportsbook was named the official sports betting partner of the Association. Ultimately, the new features seek to elevate the experiences for basketball fans and bettors alike, offering options for wagering on out-of-market games as well as betting on key moments in real-time.

Between October 19 and October 26, new users will be able to access three complimentary months of NBA League Pass as well as $200 in Bonus Bets as long as they register and place a $5 wager. NBA League Pass can also be accessed by existing customers of the sportsbook that wager $5 on the NBA. Basketball fans who are currently a part of the NBA’s global membership program, NBA ID, can tap into exciting unique benefits, FanDuel explained. The latest announcement designated FanDuel as the only US betting operator that offers NBA League Pass.

The Sportsbook Is Committed to Offering Unrivaled Experiences

In addition to NBA League Pass, the betting operator uncovered details regarding its new curated experience, The Pulse. According to FanDuel, the new feature is available via its homepage icon Live Now for some of the most popular basketball games. “As the action unfolds, new bets will be added to the feed in a narrative-driven format, offering fans a simple and streamlined path to discover what is happening in a game in real-time,” reveals FanDuel. This innovative feature is expected to further propel the experiences for basketball fans and bettors alike, granting them more betting options.

“FanDuel is committed to offering the top sportsbook product on the market and elevating the entertainment experience for fans this NBA season.“

Mike Raffensperger, chief commercial officer at FanDuel

Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel’s chief commercial officer, explained that the company remains committed to offering unrivaled experiences thanks to its new products for fans of basketball. He explained that FanDuel is thrilled to leverage its successful partnership with the NBA and deliver unique moments and entertaining experiences for basketball fans.

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Malta’s Parliament has introduced a bill that would allow the EU member nation’s courts to ignore enforcement of any foreign judgment. Such a far-reaching measure, seen by many as illegal in the European Union, includes decisions by courts outside of Malta concerning gaming law. In fact, the proposed change in Maltese law is included in the country’s Gaming Act (Amendment 55).

The decision to shake up EU courts is most likely a direct response to Germany and Austria’s recent legal actions against online gambling operators licensed and based in Malta but offering services in other EU countries – specifically Austria and Germany.

EU Law, a Complicated Framework of Balance

While the authorities in those and other countries assert and may have found or participated in creating case law that supports their position, nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems in such a sprawling union of member states, each accepting compromise and asserting their own interests.

Many countries have been able to win court cases allowing them to establish gaming monopolies within their own borders ut EU courts have often struggled to balance the right of the member state to protect its citizens (and that is often the only reason such exclusionary laws are allowed), and the rights of other member states to provide services across the whole of the Union in the spirit of free trade and against monopolization.

According to a report on G3 Newswire, the bill was first read into the record on April 24th, 2023. Austrian and German lawyers representing their respective countries say that Malta’s Bill 55 – “blatantly undermines European Rule of Law by blocking the fundamental rights of EU citizens and Residents”.

One of the three conflicting legal principles that may be up for further definition, subordination, or adjustment is states’ practicing a right to develop country-specific gaming legislation to protect nationals from harm – specifically criminality as defined by the state’s own laws.

While stated without reference by code, some observers have stated that regardless of the “offending entities” being licensed in a member state and providing the ordained free movement of goods and services, the right to protect citizens from harm trumps a fellow state’s right to free trade.

For context, europa.eu explains the principle like this: “One of the keystones of the European Union (EU) internal market is the principle of the free movement of goods – the creation and development of an area without internal borders, where there are no unjustified restrictions to trade between EU Member States.”

National Gaming Monopolies Exist with Free Trade

However, according to the law in Austria, only one entity is allowed to offer online gaming in the country with all other providers being illegal by internal definition. Austria’s gaming laws are fragmented, however, ultimately only the federal monopoly holder, Casinos Austria’s subsidiary “win2day” is recognized by the government as a legal provider.

Germany on the other hand game out of the gate shooting upon the launch of their nascent regulatory authority stating it would prosecute any and all “outside” providers not recognized and licensed in Germany.

Austrian lawyers have filed thousands of cases against outside operators over the years and have been awarded claims of more than €350m throughout the course of several decades. Cases from long ago are still being processed against operators, often as class actions. The Maltese bill would stop the collections of those and other claims were it to pass in Malta and be upheld in courts of the EU writ large.

Malta has spent decades advancing electronic offshore gambling as a critical part of its economy, giving weight to the continuance this long into the tenure of the European Union – however – the chances of Bill 55 amendment to stand so all-encompassing is doubtful. If written to only protect gaming operators its chances would be nil.

German and Austrian lawyers are asking the European Commission to stop the law from being fast-tracked and rely heavily in their arguments on European Union’s (EU) Brussels I Recast Regulation, which deals directly with the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments inside the EU.

Source: New Bill to protect island’s igaming operators from EU claims, G3 Newswire, May 19, 2023

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