EU Commits to iGaming Implementation with the Digital Single Market

Leading online gambling association EGBA has welcomed the European Parliament's adoption of the Digital Single Market report with great glee and pomp.

Digital Single Market Basis

The Digital Single Market Report provides the basis for the new Parliamentary initiative calling for concrete proposals from the European Commission to address the defined priorities of fostering jobs, innovation and consumer welfare to become a leader in the digital economy.

EGBA Reaction

European Gambling and Betting Association Secretary General Maarten Haijer lauded both the European Parliament and Commission for their “significant political attention” invested in the Digital Single Market over the last 12 months, stating that the EGBA is “looking forward to a swift legislative process that will take away national barriers and ensure that the EU’s 500 million consumers have access to European digital products.”

EGBA Initiatives

The EGBA's primary initiative is striving towards integration and ultimately unification of online regulation across the EU, in the hopes of realizing an optimal model of regulation which benefits all member states equally.

The EGBA has repeatedly called upon the European Commission to facilitate this process by removing barriers to digital trade. The adoption of the Digital Single Market report is a clear indication that the EU is listening. 

Consumer Benefits

Consumer safety is also a goal, with research indicating that despite any resistance to putting all legal regulation under one authority, European consumers stand to benefit the most from a uniform model of regulation across Europe.

Haijer clarifies that according to EGBA research “the absence of a single market for online gambling results in unequal protection of consumers” and a unified European online gambling market would bring an estimated 5.6 billion euros per year in revenue.

About EGBA

The Brussels-based non-profit EGBA is the association of European gaming and betting operators who are seeking to establish the safest and most beneficial market environment possible for iGaming operation in Europe. Leading gaming and betting operator members include Bet-at-home, BetClic, bwin.party, Expekt, and Unibet.