The European Gaming and Betting Association has welcomed the European Commission’s initiative to bring together Europe’s regulatory authorities and member states’ online gambling experts.

The meeting on February 27 constitutes the first of a list of actions announced by Commissioner Barnier following the European Parliament’s call for action at EU level in November.

When the European Parliament adopted its report on online gambling in the internal market in November 2011, Commissioner Barnier committed to take action through a communication announced for mid-2012 and also confirmed that the Commission would ensure the compliance of national regimes with the EU Treaties.

At the meeting, the European Commission will for the first time have the opportunity to present its findings from the 260 contributions to the Green Paper consultation on online gambling and five expert workshops conducted last year. As well as “test national regulators’ appetite to co-operate and develop common EU rules.”

Secretary general of EGBA Sigrid Ligné said: “We welcome this first-ever meeting under the Commission’s aegis of Europe’s national gambling regulators and have high expectations of this process. We are calling for the introduction of EU-level rules to safeguard adequate protection for consumers and at the same time ensure fair and transparent licensing conditions for EU operators.

"With the European Court drawing ever-clearer ‘red lines’ for national regulation, we have high hopes that rapid progress can and will be made through better co-operation and the development of common EU rules.”