Online Casinos to Begin Operating From Within Czech Republic
Sources from inside the Czech Republic are reporting that the government has agreed to allow several domestic gambling operators to begin hosting Internet gambling. After fierce lobbying from the companies, which feature such wagering as land sportsbooking and lotteries, the country will start licensing almost immediately after the New Year.
Czech lawmakers had voiced concerns that children would be able to gamble and consumers would be unprotected, but the bookmakers established in the country asserted that those possibilities were already occurring presently, with unregulated foreign operators dominating the business. Allowing resident gaming operators to expand to online sites will be the first step in presenting citizens with regulated and licensed alternatives to the uncontrolled situation found today.
The Czech similarity to the US situation seems obvious, although US legislators have been more reluctant to accept the need for legalization and regulation. There are many casino industry experts who think the US will move toward regulation once the new President and Congress take office.
Radio Praha carried an interview with Tomas Bahnik of Fortuna Group, one of the operators likely to be licensed. Bahnik said of the proposed regulation, "This is very strict and well monitored, in contrast with foreign Internet companies. Every person, including teenagers, can use Internet betting without control. Our main goal is to control this situation."
