- Some facts about gambling and the law in Europe
- Why residents of Monaco do not pay taxes and what does the casino have to do with it?
- Play Casino while Traveling London by Taxi
- According to a recent study, the country with the highest rate of gambling in Europe is…
- Modern casino leadership in European countries
- Conclusion
Some facts about gambling and the law in Europe
The governments of most European countries keep the gambling business under tight control, and some states generally prohibit it.
Among European countries, the Balkan Peninsula is a leading region in the development of the gambling business. Montenegro has the highest number of gambling houses per capita, with approximately one casino for every 1.3 thousand inhabitants. The total number of gambling houses in the country has exceeded 500. Interestingly, gambling was only legalized relatively recently, after the collapse of Yugoslavia.
In the UK, there is approximately one gambling establishment for every 7,000 people, which is less than in Montenegro, but more than in some other European countries. In 2007, the Gambling Commission got the authority to govern the gambling industry with a new set of legislation. This law is still in effect and ensures that all gambling activities take place within acceptable limits.
Gambling laws in France are very stringent, however it is still legal and the country is well known as the birthplace of the first casino in Europe. The gambling industry here is highly regulated and monitored with great care.
Portugal’s gambling industry is heavily regulated and the only place you can play in a casino is within one of the 10 designated gambling zones. However, other forms of gaming such as lotteries, bingo sometimes slot machines can be enjoyed outside these areas – such as in hotels that cater to a large number of tourists.
In Italy, all casinos have a “municipal” status and both government organizations and private companies are involved in their management. Recently, online gambling has also been legalized in the country. Currently, there are more than hundreds of official online casinos available. In Italy, roulette and progressive jackpot slot machines are banned.
Why residents of Monaco do not pay taxes and what does the casino have to do with it?
During the 19th century, the Grimaldi royal family was on the brink of ruin. To save them from despair, Florestan’s wife Princess Caroline decided to open a casino and transformed it into a top tourist destination for foreign travelers. Her gamble paid off and saved her family from financial disaster.
The Monte Carlo casino was extremely successful and lucrative, so Princess Caroline decided to exempt local citizens from income taxes. There was one caveat though – they were not allowed to enter the casino as she deemed it morally wrong. An exception was created just for those who were employed in the gaming field.
Even though it may be the 21st century, 19th century laws regarding gambling still exist in the mini-state. This leaves its citizens with two options: going to nearby Monaco for a game of poker or settling with online casinos since those are not yet prohibited.
Play Casino while Traveling London by Taxi
In 2016, a landmark event made history – the world’s smallest casino was spotted on the streets of London. This unique gambling house had no permanent address and no specific name, being located in a traditional English cab’s backseat. It was truly an unprecedented experience!
Grosvenor Casinos recently launched an advertising campaign that highlights the features of their casino, traveling through London and its suburbs. They’ve even made it easy for you to call a cab just by tweeting! Inside the casino, guests can find a table, dealer, gambling aids and bar along with two TVs broadcasting sports programs.
Passengers have two options for payment. If they are going to the Grosvenor Casino, the journey is complimentary. Otherwise, if it’s just a point A-B trip, then a donation to charity is appreciated.
The Gambling Count is credited with the invention of one of the most popular snacks, the sandwich. This ingenious snack was created to help him gamble for longer periods of time without having to leave his seat.
The iconic sandwich that we know today – consisting of two slices of bread and any type of filling in between – is credited to the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu from Sandwich County, England. Folks say, in 1762 the Earl of Montagu was so enticed by poker that he continued to play even during dinner. To make sure he could still enjoy his meal, the count asked his servant to bring him some meat to the poker table. In order to avoid getting the cards messy, he suggested placing the meat between two slices of bread. The suggestion was so appealing to those present that soon enough, the sandwich gained immense popularity across Europe.
The idea for the sandwich was not originated by Sir Montagu, as popularly believed. In fact, back in the 17th century, Arabs were already wrapping meat in pita bread to create a quickly-made and filling meal. Certain sources maintain that the Earl did not have any inclination towards gambling. The creators of this urban legend merely utilized his name to concoct it. Regardless, the Earl was content with it and even found joy in knowing that one of Europe’s most beloved dishes adopted his moniker – Sandwich.
According to a recent study, the country with the highest rate of gambling in Europe is…
Europeans have had an unhealthy obsession with gambling for a long time. Casinos appeared on European soil much before the introduction of attractive slot machines and comfortable poker tables. From the 18th century onwards, gambling has been a part of European culture. Until recently, it was an activity that took place in bars or guest houses with minimal standards of service and amenities. Presently, while gambling is allowed in most parts of Europe, it is closely monitored and regulated by government agencies. In the last few years, gaming houses have been legalized in twenty European countries, four of which allow cash betting on sports. Furthermore, there has been a surge in popularity for casinos located on cruise ships.
A survey conducted in 2010 amongst adults living in the EU revealed that Italy, Poland and Spain were the countries with the highest rates of gambling. This survey was indicative of a wider trend taking place in Europe at that time. The top three favorite casinos of survey respondents were located in France, Great Britain, and Germany. 70% of them reported they had visited a casino or bought lottery tickets at least once. The remainder of the top six slots were occupied by German casinos. Germans are known for their practicality, so it would be surprising to many if they suddenly found themselves in the lead. However, all signs indicate that this could be the case.
Modern casino leadership in European countries
Las Vegas, which was once the world’s premier gambling destination in the 21st century, is now losing its popularity among Europeans. The US has made it much harder for tourists to enter the country recently, causing many to abandon the idea of going there. Understandable, considering that long security checks and interrogations are done just to play a few poker games. The popularity of playing casinos in European countries or Macau in China has skyrocketed in 2016, attributed to convenient transport and easy border crossings. This is a major advantage for European casinos, providing not only an ethical incentive but also encouraging economic growth and development.
Conclusion
To sum up, there is a growing trend amongst nations of legalizing gambling in their jurisdictions. Allowing casinos to operate can be a significant advantage for the national economy. Not allowing gaming activities denies the government of collecting extra taxes that could go towards improving public services and other necessary expenses.
