EU takes aim at internet gambling black market

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details 25.3.11
Publication Date 25/03/2011
Content Type

On-line gambling is a fast developing business in Europe, with almost 15,000 websites already identified and total annual revenues exceeding €6bn in 2008 and expected to double in size by 2013. National legal frameworks vary enormously across the EU, with different rules applying to licensing, related on-line services, payments, public interest objectives, and the fight against fraud.

In order to ensure legal certainty and effective protection of EU citizens in this fast-growing cross-border service activity, it is important to evaluate how possibly differing models can co-exist within the Internal Market.

The primary aim of the European Commission's Green Paper consultation, launched on the 24 March 2011, was to obtain a facts-based picture of the existing situation in the EU on-line gambling market and of the different national regulatory models. The Commission sought the views of stakeholders and wished to collect detailed information and data on key policy issues such as organisation of on-line gambling services and enforcement of applicable laws; consumer protection and other relevant public policy challenges as well as commercial communications and payment services.

Contributions to the consultation, can be submitted until 31 July 2011, and the results will determine the need for and form of any EU follow-up action in this field. Expert workshops on specific themes were to be organised to complement the consultation.

Related Links
European Commission: Press Release: IP/11/358: On-line gambling in Europe: let's discuss http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/358&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
ESO: Background information: On-line gambling: European Commission welcomes France's decision to open its gambling market and closes infringement procedure http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-on-line-gambling-european-commission-welcomes-frances-decision-to-open-its-gambling-market-and-closes-infringement-procedure/
ESO: Background information: EU gambling consultation must create 'competitive landscape' http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-gambling-consultation-must-create-competitive-landscape/
EurActiv, 7.9.11: Commission eyes EU regulation of online gambling http://www.euractiv.com/consumers/policymakers-call-eu-regulation-online-gambling-news-507351

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