EGBA Flexes Muscle against EU Gambling Legislation Infringements

The EGBA (European Gaming & Betting Association) European Commission launched formal infringement proceedings against the online gambling legislation of 6 EGBA member states, along with the issue of two 'reasoned opinions' against Sweden for failing to comply with EU law. The states in question are Belgium, Cyprus, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic.

The commission's actions are meant to ensure compliance of the member states' national regulatory frameworks for gambling services with the fundamental freedoms of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. This is followed by repeated calls from the European Parliament with the most recent one being in the June 2013 report 'Online Gambling in the Internal Market'. The commission was called to monitor and enforce compliance of national laws and practices with EU law, launching infringements against those member states which seem to be breaching the EU law.

A Significant Step

Speaking about the move, Secretary General of EGBA Maarten Haiejr said: "Today's decision by the Commission is highly significant as it will bring further legal clarity to the online gambling market in the EU ... EGBA urges member states to use this opportunity to put in place effective, commercially viable gambling legislation which takes into account the CJEU requirements and to avoid the need for litigation at the court of justice."

Will this guarded show of force by EGBA put in motion a true standardization process in all that has to do with EU gambling legislation? Time will tell, but this is very possible.