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Gamblers do not have to repay credit card transactions for illegal gambling: German court
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In a significant development, a German court in Munich has ruled that gamblers who used credit cards to perform gambling activities with an illegal online gambling website need not have to repay the credit card companies for these specific transactions. The court is basically putting the onus checking the legality of the transaction and the license of the gambling company on the financial institutions that offer credit cards.
The District Court of Munich ruled this when dismissing a case filed by Landesbank Berlin against a Visa credit card holder. The card holder had claimed that he was not liable to pay his debts because they had been incurred while playing on an online gaming site that was not legally licensed in Germany.
Landesbank has not filed an appeal against the judgment, meaning the ruling is here to stay.
Germany’s online gambling laws are complicated. Broadly speaking, online gaming is illegal, although the country retains a monopoly on lottery games and a semi-monopoly sports betting. This has been challenged several times by the European Commission, the governing body of the European Union.
The country’s Interstate Gambling Treaty of 2012 dictated that online casino gaming would remain illegal unless individual states pass laws to regulate it. Schleswig-Holstein was the only German state to legislate to license online gaming, in 2012, but it repealed the law the following year after a change in government.
Many online gaming operators based within the EU view Germany as a grey market because they believe its internal gambling laws violate European laws on free cross-border trade between EU member states.
As recently as 2016, the Court of Justice for the European Union ruled that Germany could not impose penalties on online gambling companies operating without a German license because it was not possible for a company licensed in other EU member states to obtain a license.
But the news that German citizens can take out credit with gambling sites that are licensed in EU member states, although not in Germany, and then refuse to pay them back, is likely to give operators pause for thought, whether the German court’s ruling is illegal under EU law or not.
The court in Munich applied Federal Court of Justice (Germany’s highest court) case law when it ruled that the onus is on the banks to refuse payments to unlicensed online gambling companies.
Further, it said, the transactions in the Landesbank Berlin case would have flagged up a special code to the bank that identified them as an online gambling payment. The court found there was no question the bank had failed to spot this code because it added its own special commission for “casino sales.”
“The court cannot recognize any wrongful action on the behalf of the defendant. Rather, it is the plaintiff who behaves in an abusive manner if it clearly violates a legal prohibition … the purpose … [of which] … is to protect the defendant from the dangers of gambling,” said the ruling.
Source: Casino.org
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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MASTER THE ELEMENTS IN ZITRO’S LATEST RELEASE “SPIN FU”
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The post MASTER THE ELEMENTS IN ZITRO’S LATEST RELEASE “SPIN FU” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Blueprint Gaming introduces new Volcano feature in explosive Lava Lock Jackpot King™
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Blueprint Gaming has turned up the heat in its latest release, Lava Lock Jackpot King, with the sweltering title leading with a new Volcano feature and a host of refreshed modifiers for an enriched gameplay experience.
Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, takes centre stage in the 5×3, 30 payline slot. Landing solely on the central position, if she appears alongside a volcano scatter symbol, the newly introduced Volcano feature is triggered, which results in a respin where random positions turn into instant cash rewards.
The Hawaiian princess also holds the key to the Free Spins bonus. If landed, there is a chance that one or two of the Tiki heads above the reels will light up, resulting in either six or 12 Pele spins, respectively, with her position remaining fixed throughout the bonus round.
In an intriguing development to base play, the Pele symbol also has the power to grant rewards from locked symbols, including one of four in-game jackpots rising to 2,500x. Cash add, Pele add, and Cash spin also stand as three bonus modifiers available in both the main game and bonus game, optimising the chance for increased win potential.
The volcanic offering also offers the pull of the industry’s most recognisable and lucrative progressive jackpot systems, Jackpot King, ramping up the anticipation with an array of prize-filled pots.
Marking the award-winning studio’s latest addition to its offering, Lava Lock Jackpot King reinforces Blueprint’s ability to cleverly craft fresh themed, bountiful titles for its operators’ players to enjoy worldwide.
Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said: “Lava Lock Jackpot King showcases Blueprint’s commitment to constant creativity. By introducing the Volcano Feature and new gameplay mechanics, we have delivered another dynamic title that keeps our Jackpot King portfolio feeling fresh and energetic.
“With an array of immersive releases still to come during the festive months, our fiery Pele offering kickstarts November in style.”
The post Blueprint Gaming introduces new Volcano feature in explosive Lava Lock Jackpot King™ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Enhanced Collect Feature electrifies gameplay in Playson’s More Energy Coins: Hold and Win
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Collect Feature now active in base and bonus play for enriched win potential
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, ups the ante in its electric new release, More Energy Coins: Hold and Win, with an enlarged 5×4 reelset, special Collect Feature and 10,000x Royal Jackpot supercharging the excitement on offer.
Inspired by Playson’s data-proven mechanics, the game’s starring Energy Bonus symbol unlocks the Collect Feature if it combines with any Bonus Symbol. In a thrilling twist, the Collect Feature adds the value of all Bonus and Energy Bonus symbols, including four in-game Jackpot Symbols, to the total winning for the spin in the Main Game or the Total Win in the Bonus Game.
Landing six Bonus Symbols, or their combination with an Energy Bonus Symbol, provides entry to the Hold and Win Bonus Game, where only Bonus and Energy Bonus Symbols are in play. Adding an extra dynamic to bonus play, fortunate players who fill the grid in its entirety will see the 10,000x Royal Jackpot awarded, offering an extra spark to win potential.
Players also benefit from the Pile of Gold Feature which can be randomly triggered by any Bonus Symbol landing on the reels during the Main Game. This feature adds Bonus and Energy Bonus symbols in quantity enough or more to activate the Bonus Game.
An Extra Bet Feature can also be activated, which applies a 1.5x multiplier to the player’s bet as well as increasing the chance of entry to Bonus play.
Playson’s thunderous release underlines the supplier’s expertise in advancing its portfolio with exciting twists, developing fresh concepts for operators’ players to enjoy worldwide.
Tamas Kusztos, CCO at Playson, said: “With More Energy Coins: Hold and Win, we have supercharged one of our most popular mechanics to deliver a truly immersive gameplay experience.
“The introduction of the Collect Feature in both base and bonus play, and easier access to the in-game jackpots, adds an exciting layer of unpredictability and win potential. This title reinforces our commitment to providing partners with titles that introduce stimulating new advancements, and enhance those that have already proven a success with players.”
The post Enhanced Collect Feature electrifies gameplay in Playson’s More Energy Coins: Hold and Win appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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