The fourth annual European Gambling Briefing opened its doors yesterday (Tuesday) at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

More than 140 delegates were present on the opening day of the conference to discuss the many legal challenges currently facing the European gaming industry.

Wes Himes, managing director of Policy Action Group, the European public affairs consultancy, chaired the event for the first portion of the day, which saw Jesper Kärrbrink, former CEO of Svenska Spel, stress the importance of allowing a regulated gaming market to take shape within Sweden.

In addition, Eddie Feehan from the Internal Markets and Services division of the European Commission provided an update on the gambling policy infringement proceedings that are currently taking place against several EU member states, including Italy, France and Germany.

An expert panel of politicians from Sweden, Portugal and Germany shared a range of views surrounding the fate of the European gambling industry. However, while the speakers agreed that the ongoing war between the EC and European member states was hindering the industry’s progression, they said it did not justify the continued existence of gaming monopolies.

"Gambling is a complicated service, and cannot be treated like other services," said Swedish MEP Christofer Fjellner.