European Union Allows Own Initiative

March 16, 2009 | News Category: Gaming Law

0 Comments There are a number of European Union member countries that have not been complying with the free trade of goods and services policy that exists between EU members with regards to the online casino gambling industry. The EU's European Commission have been calling on all EU countries to have open and free trade in this area of business.

The countries that have been ignoring the call to open up their gaming markets either have state monopolies or protectionist state legislation that seeks to fine and punish Internet gambling companies that try to operate online casinos for those who live in the area of the closed gambling markets.

Online casinos who have been excluded from these markets are represented by the Remote Gaming Association, amongst others. The Remote Gaming Association is hoping to bring an end to the monopolies and closed gambling markets within the EU. While the situation was looking somewhat hopeful, there is now doubt that it will be resolved positively for the online casino industry.

The EU recently held a vote in which a decision was made that widespread liberalization of the online casino industry would not be enforced. The vote passed the decision that each member nation's "own initiative" regarding online casino gambling is supported by EU members. Simply explained, this means that at least in the near future, there will be no harmonized legislation for EU countries with regards to online casino gambling. The results of the vote allow Internet gambling to be regulated at a national level, and not according to one standard for the entire EU.

The Danish Socialist MEP Christel Schaldemose suggested in a report on the "integrity of online gambling" that EU countries should have uniform age limits for online gamblers, similar advertising strategies, and credit cards that have been pre-paid for those wishing to gamble online. Although the report is not binding, the European Parliament have shown that they support the sentiments expressed in the report. The EU legislature, in principal, agreed with many of the points raised, including items regarding the prevention of money laundering. Schaldermose explained that the original intention of the report was to protect those who are vulnerable to gambling dangers, and that it was not intended to restrict the private gambling sector of the market.

The United Kingdom MEP, Malcolm Harbour, criticized the results of the vote. Harbour argued that online gambling should fit into the same internal market as other business ventures that are governed by free trade agreements. Harbour explained his position by pointing out that the UK has not only effectively liberalized their online casino gambling industry, but that they still have a high degree of operator integrity, gaming responsibility and maintain a high level of consumer protection.

Those who were hoping for and waiting for change regarding EU online casino gambling, now know that it will not be coming soon or in the nearby foreseeable future.

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