Right2Bet Petitions EU to Prevent Online Casino Bans

October 16, 2009 | News Category: Gaming Law

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Some of the European Union’s rules have been changed as part of the Lisbon Treaty. Although the treaty still needs to be ratified by the Czech Republic, use of at least one of the new rules is currently underway. The new rule is the right by EU residents to petition the European Commission when they want change. The concept is referred to as the ECI, the European Citizens Initiative.

At this time, signatures are being collected in order to protest the state betting monopolies, banned by the EC. The state betting monopolies do not allow foreign online casinos access in certain states.

The signatures are being gathered by Right2Bet, which is organizing the campaign to have the EC enforce free trade rules as far as Internet gambling is concerned.

One million signatories are needed in order to pass the petition to the EC. After one million signatures, the EU parliament guarantees that they will act on the petition. The petition is simply requesting that the EC enforce the free trade regulations that are already meant to be in effect. Certain EU member countries have been attempting to keep their gaming monopolies, and are restricting other licensed online casinos from operating in their countries.

Countries that have been singled out by Right2Bet are Sweden, Finland, and Germany. It seems that they are all violating the open market policies of the European Commission, by maintaining their online gaming monopolies.

Michael Robb, the Right2Bet spokesman, said, "Betting fans in Europe are fed up of being told by politicians how and where they can bet.” Robb continued by commenting on the power that has been given to all citizens. He said “It's perhaps a sign of the Internet age that, through online petitions like our own, we can mobilize and unite consumers from across the continent for a common goal and really make EU politicians sit up and take notice."

One wonders, even if the Right2Bet petition manages to get the required one million signatories, will a change really happen? There are already rules in place in the European Union regarding trade infringements, which are being violated by certain member states. It is, therefore, unclear whether the petition will make a difference or not.

Those violating trade agreements are being prosecuted, but it has been slow and tedious, and has not accomplished what it should have since there is much political interference, which makes it difficult to strictly enforce the rulings that are handed down.

Perhaps the signatures of one million EU citizens will spur the European Commission into action. At this point, only time will tell, especially since the Czech Republic still has to ratify the treaty.