Report on the letter received at the SCG from Rational GROUP LTD / Os. № 818/09.07.2013/
2. The State Gambling Commission received a letter from Rational GROUP LTD in relation to a company's written request for a license to organize gambling games from a distance via the Internet.
In this regard, the company believes that the inclusion of the brand sites "PokerStars" listed under Art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act should be revised.
Pursuant to Art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act, the State Gaming Commission determines websites by organized gambling by persons who are not licensed under this Act and ordered cessation of infringements. In pursuance of its power to its website, the Commission shall establish, update and maintain a list of these websites.
Given its jurisdiction to determine websites by organized gambling by persons who are not licensed under the Gambling Act, the State Commission on Gambling with decision № 728 of 24.06.2013 is included in the list of art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act websites: http://www.pokerstars.bg and http://www.pokerstars.com. Subsequently, by Order of 28.06.2013 the Chairman of the the Sofia District Court was ordered to all providers to suspend access to specific websites, including those made by the subject of Rational GROUP LTD request.
At a meeting held on 07.10.2013, the members of the State Gambling Commission examined and discussed by the incoming Rational GROUP LTD letter on the licensing of "PokerStars" and review the inclusion of the websites of the brand "PokerStars" listed under Art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act.
Although the company Rational GROUP LTD has initiated an administrative procedure for issuance of license to organize gambling at a distance by Internet, that circumstance is not intended by the legislator as a base which automatically lead to exclusion application of Art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act.
The date of acceptance of the decision of the State Commission on Gambling websites "PokerStars" were available and active in the geographical territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Rational GROUP LTD did not have and did not hold a license for organizing gambling games, issued by the State Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act. The Application for a license to organize gambling games at a distance by Internet through Gambling Act, Rational GROUP LTD is not a basis which has made a request for exclusion from the list of websites by organized gambling by persons not licensed under the gambling Act.
In view of the foregoing and pursuant to Art. 27, para. 2 of the Gambling Act State Gambling Commission
DECIDED:
Finds unacceptable and premature the application of Rational GROUP LTD company to review the decision of the State Commission on Gambling 24/06/2013 with reference to include the websites: http//:www.pokerstars.bg and http//:www.pokerstars.com of the brand "PokerStars" listed under Art. 22, para. 1, item 14 of the Gambling Act.
In my opinion PokerStars will not a receive a license soon to operate here in Bulgaria. May be after one ore two years PokerStars will receive a license, but untill that time it is illegal to play there for the bulgarian poker players.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 48 (F)
Posts: 14196
If they are in their best interest they will pursuit a license. But if your government asks crazy stuff, dont be surprised if they wont operate again in the future there. Its all about money.
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 6669
I have to agree with Mober, plus i also want to point out that the number of players is also the other half of the problem.
I mean a country like Bulgaria has way less players than other large countries, so if they gov are greedy and want top $ for the license it is possible that online poker to be over.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 48 (F)
Posts: 14196
Like here, that many sites have left, since their stupid demands were topping any profits they could make, since the number of players online are not that many. Some others continue to operate without license though.
