San Marino is a small but the interesting country situated in the northern part of the Apennine Peninsula and it has always had a close relation to gambling. The purpose of this article is to highlight the current legislation and laws that surround the gambling industry in San Marino especially the San Marino bookmakers and sports betting. The history of gambling laws, regulatory authorities, the allowed and forbidden types of bets, the requirements and costs for obtaining a license, taxes and some highlights of the sports betting history will be discussed.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Legislative Framework of Gambling in San Marino
San Marino’s history with gambling legislation began in the 19th century. Here is a timeline of significant events:
- 1880: It was allowed to solve the issue of the large external debt of the country.
- 1949: Italy was able to force San Marino to ban casinos.
- 2000: Revision of the legal framework concerning gambling through the promulgation of Law No. 67/2000 governing different type of gambling activities such as games of chance and skill, lotteries and betting.
- 2014: Online gambling was also legalized thus increasing the gambling business in San Marino.
Current Gambling Legislation
Key Laws
San Marino’s gambling industry is primarily regulated by two laws:
- Law No. 67/2000: Gives an outline of the legal mechanisms for regulation, supervision, and taxation of the gambling business and its operators’ licensing.
- Law No. 143/2006: Enumerates the organization that is in charge of supervising and/or regulating the gambling industry and its functions.
Permitted Gambling Activities
According to these laws, the following types of gambling are allowed in San Marino:
- Sweepstake
- Lottery
- Draws of prizes
- Lotto
- Betting
- Games of chance
- Skill-based games
Players must be registered, and must be at least 18 years old with a valid ID card. Also, AML rules state that all players who have won an amount of 2,000 EUR or more or placed a bet of 2,000 EUR or more must be identified and registered.
Regulatory of San Marino Bookmakers
This state owned body is known as the State Games Authority (Ente di Stato dei Giochi).
The main regulatory institution for gambling in San Marino is the State Games Authority (ESG) founded by Law No. 143/2006. ESG works under the Grand General Council and State Congress as the supervising authorities. Its duties include:
- Operation of exclusive games, draws of prizes, lotteries, lotto, games of chance, skill games and betting as provided under the laws of the San Marino particularly the Lotteries Act Cap. 67 of the Laws of San Marino.
- The administration and regulation of gambling activities.
- The development of bills and legal acts on the organization of gambling activities.
- Measures and initiatives that would ensure the safety and the transparency of the management of games and the prevention of social vices that may result from gambling.
ESG can also have contracts with private entities to provide gambling services and is entitled to control and supervise gambling, including the approval of the game’s rules, technical specifications, and management of the equipment.
Licensing and Fees of San Marino Bookmakers
A person or entity that wishes to offer only closed games, raffles, lotteries, games of chance or skill, or betting must apply to the Control and Supervision Committee. The request must include:
- Some essential information about the persons in charge of the violations mentioned above.
- A short paper justifying the reasons for the held gambling event.
- Information on the arrangement and the time frame.
- Regulations and procedures.
- The specific description of the reward, payout or prize to be given.
- The responsibilities of the applicant in as far as tax payments are concerned.
The State Congress has the right to provide gambling licenses to individuals and legal entities such as limited liability companies and stock companies. Legal persons have to meet the condition of having fully paid social capital of at least 500 million GBP or 258,228 EUR, which may be adjusted by the Committee. Licenses are valid for up to 5 years and must include:
- License validity term.
- Areas and activities of intervention.
- Taxes and fees chargeable in the activity.
- Guaranteeing banking for tax remittances and timely payment of winnings.
- The duty to supply information to the regulators.
Taxation
The companies that are allowed to organize gambling facilities are subject to 12% income tax. Every game must be completed and taxes should be paid within sixty days of the completion of the game.
Online Gambling Licenses
It is regulated by the State Games Authority (Ente di Stato dei Giochi) under the provision of law number 143 of year 2006. San Marino Football Federation issues only to the companies that have their servers within the territory of San Marino. The overall online gambling tax is 12% of the gross income of the gambling business, along with the regular corporate taxation.
San Marino Sports Betting
Betting on sports in San Marino is legal and is regulated under the laws that are in place for all other types of gambling. Licenses and legal requirements for sports betting are issued by the State Games Authority which dictates the rules. Some types of bets are restricted in order that the game can be as fair as possible.
San Marino legal bookmakers have a rich choice of sports to bet on, both national and international ones. The country has seen several sporting event glory milestones, enhancing the appeal of sports betting:
- The account of the life of Massimo Bonini as a football player.
- One can remember the Olympic road race victory of Fabio Casartelli.
- Stefano Galvani ATP Challenger Tour victory in the year 2003.
- Nine times world champion, Valentino Rossi.
- The career of Simona de Silvestro in IndyCar and Formula E.
Conclusion
The following is an analysis of the various ways in which San Marino has put in place measures to regulate gambling to keep the operators and the bettors safe. Albeit a relatively young industry with a history that dates back only a couple of decades and a set of rules and regulations that are as stringent as they are specific, the country’s gambling industry is flourishing.
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