Who in Europe Makes Gambling Calls?

The European Commission has recently taken legal action over the sports betting restrictions made in Sweden, France, and Greece, and June 27th will se many of their decisions be finalized. The verdicts will be determined by the college of commissioners for these three member states, and according to Oliver Drewes, spokesman for the European Union's Executive arm, "for the moment... those are the decisions on the calendar".

So far, the European Commission has formally requested that France and Sweden amend their laws which are not considered compatible with the EU law. This is the last stage of the EU infringement procedure before referral to the European Court of Justice. Meanwhile, many French Chief Executive Officers of Sports Betting Companies licensed in various EU countries, have been imposed or threatened with criminal sanctions. The French legislations have also impacted sponsorship agreements in football, and cycling race conditions.

All France, Sweden, and Greece have imposed these new restrictions as a way of preventing foreign competition in the European gambling market. With many state owned gambling monopolies and lottery companies (such as OPAP), it has been especially difficult for foreign companies to do so, such as the insuperable challenges faced by betting companies William Hill and Stanley Leisure.

The European Commission's attacks have been justified by their adhering to the ultimate goal of protecting the freedom of movement for goods and services. Many decisions will be made and finalized on this day, and will leave much of the European gambling market's future hanging in the balance.