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Japan’s National Police Agency proposes 30% pachinko machine fee cut
Japan’s National Police Agency has proposed reducing standard approval fees for pachinko and pachislot machines by about 30%, with revised rates due to take effect on 1 April 2027 if approved. The certification fee for an already type-tested model would fall from JPY4,340 to JPY3,030, while testing requirements would remain unchanged.
Japan’s National Police Agency has proposed reducing standard approval fees for pachinko and pachislot machines by around 30%.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission reports dozens of prediction-market inquiries
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has received dozens of consumer inquiries about prediction-market platforms it does not regulate, a commission spokesperson said. The commission directs those consumers to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while chair Jordan Maynard told lawmakers that users may confuse such platforms with state-licensed sportsbooks.
A Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) spokesperson said they had personally seen dozens of inquiries about prediction-market platforms outside the regulator’s authority. The MGC tells consumers it does not regulate prediction markets and directs them to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the spokesperson said.
AGSI's Guitto urges Italy to earmark legal gambling taxes
AGSI vice-president Antonio Guitto urged Italy's lawmakers to direct taxes and levies from legal gambling towards public-interest causes rather than general taxation. He said changes to products and more entertainment in physical venues would not, by themselves, improve the sector's public reputation.
AGSI vice-president Antonio Guitto has urged Italy’s lawmakers to earmark taxes and levies from legal gambling for community and public-interest purposes rather than general taxation. He said identifying how the money is used would help the sector regain credibility with institutions and the public.
OHID asks levy recipients not to promote Safer Gambling Week
OHID asked recipients of statutory gambling levy funding not to promote Safer Gambling Week. It described the event as industry-led and therefore not independent of the gambling industry.
Statutory levy recipients have been asked not to promote Safer Gambling Week by OHID. In an email, the government unit distributing the funds described the week-long event as industry-led and lacking independence from the gambling industry.
Mantovano says Italy's health service covers gaming and internet addiction
Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano said a health ministry circular issued last August clarified that Italy's national health service covers behavioural and substance addictions. Speaking at a meeting on addictions, he said care for young people and adults with behavioural dependencies should be delivered effectively and uniformly nationwide.
Italy's health ministry clarified in a circular issued last August that the national health service covers all pathological addictions, including behavioural and substance addictions, undersecretary to the presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano said.