European Commission decides it will not impose gambling regulations on members
The European Commission made a long awaited announcement on online gambling last week, declaring that it would take a cooperative approach rather than institute legislation that would bind all 27 member states.
Enforcement through cooperation
The Commission said it will encourage member states to cooperate in order to protect children and other users from illegal gambling sites. Internal Market Commissioner Michael Barnier declared that national laws must comply with EU law, saying this would protect against money laundering, fraud and betting-related match fixing.
In the event that the measures which the Commission wants to take together with the member states prove insufficient, it will then propose more ambitious measures including legislation, Barnier clarified at a press conference.
Industry reaction
The European Gaming and Betting Association, a roof body for the industry, welcomed the efforts made by Commissioner Barnier and his staff, saying that for the first time online gambling is part of the EC's work program and is being recognized as a fast growing service activity with tax revenue and job creation capabilities.
However, EGBA question the EC's use of what it called "soft" rules rather than legislation, saying that this will make it more difficult to deliver concrete results to stop the rapid emergence of "27 mini markets" in the EU and reverse the plethora of purely national licensing requirements.
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