The European Commission has published its new policy on online gambling regulation.
The communication, titled Towards a Comprehensive European Framework for Online Gambling, follows a Green Paper consultation launched in March 2011.
The EC document proposes an action plan to establish clarity across the EU “for the benefit of national authorities, operators, consumers and related industry such as payment service or media service providers.”
The communication highlights five priorities in addressing the challenges faced at EU and member state level: compliance of national regulatory frameworks with EU law, enhancing administrative cooperation and efficient enforcement, protecting consumers and citizens, minors and vulnerable groups, preventing fraud and money laundering, and safeguarding the integrity of sports and preventing match-fixing.
The document has been praised for its commitment to ensure compliance of national law with EU legislation and to relaunch infringement proceedings against a number of member states while examining the gambling laws of others.
The European Gaming and Betting Association, whose membership includes leading European gaming and betting operators such as bwin.party, Digibet and Unibet, welcomed the communication.
Sigrid Ligné, secretary general of EGBA, said: “We are very pleased with the EC's decision today to take formal action against non-compliant national gambling laws.
“We expect litigation at EU level to swiftly restore legal certainty for our sector in Europe. Unjustified restrictions and protectionist regimes have been hampering the sustainability of EU operators for far too long.”
