ISRAEL Law and Practice Contributed by: Liran Barak, Herzog Fox & Neeman
4.4 Availability of Licences As commercial gambling is prohibited in Israel, there are no relevant licences available. 4.5 Duration of Licences The only licences available are those granted to the ISBB and the National Lottery. The ISBB’s authorisation to organise sports betting under the Penal Law is permanent. The permit granted to the National Lottery is for a Owing to the fact that the only gambling licences avail- able in Israel are those granted to the state-licensed monopolies, there is no open licensing process for these activities. Concessions for the distribution of the products and services of both the National Lottery and the ISBB can be applied for, and awarded by either. Concessions can be applied for both by individuals and by businesses. 4.7 Application Timing As commercial gambling is prohibited in Israel, this is not applicable in this jurisdiction. 4.8 Application Fees As commercial gambling is prohibited in Israel, this is not applicable in this jurisdiction. 4.9 Ongoing Annual Fees As commercial gambling is prohibited in Israel, this is not applicable in this jurisdiction. 4.10 Personal Licensing Owing to the fact that the only gambling licences available in Israel are those granted to the state- licensed monopolies, personal licensing is not avail- able in Israel. renewable duration of five years. 4.6 Application Requirements
tain a comparable prohibition on participation in lotteries or betting); and • offering, selling or distributing lottery and betting tickets to minors (Section 231A of the Penal Law). As gambling-related offences are considered “source offences” under the Prevention of Money Launder- ing Law 5760-2000, any unlawful gambling activity may also establish a money-laundering offence and be prosecuted as such. 3.6 Penalties for Unlawful Gambling The following penalties are set out in the Penal Law for unlawful gambling: • a person organising or conducting “a prohibited game” or any lottery or betting is liable to impris- onment for up to three years or to a fine of up to ILS452,000; • a person who plays a prohibited game is liable to imprisonment for up to one year or to a fine of up to ILS29,200; and • a person offering, selling or distributing lottery or betting tickets to minors is liable to imprisonment for up to six months.
4. Licensing and Regulatory Framework 4.1 Regulatory Authority
The only forms of regulated gambling in Israel are: • the services offered by the National Lottery, as regulated by the Ministry of Finance; and • the services offered by the ISBB, which is self-
regulated as a statutory body. 4.2 Regulatory Approach
Israel’s approach towards gambling regulation is a restrictive, state-owned, licensed monopoly regime. 4.3 Types of Licences The only gambling licences available are those granted to the ISBB and the National Lottery as state-licensed monopolies.
5. Land-Based Gambling 5.1 Premises Licensing
The National Lottery’s permit prescribes the number and location of lottery points of sale and concession-
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