TURKISH MOVES ON INTERNET GAMBLING CRITICISED

9 March 2007

“The Bill sets up the most authoritarian gaming regime in the Western World," says leading expert

Turkey's latest legislative move against Internet gambling (see previous InfoPowa report) has attracted the critical comments of a leading legal expert, who described the new law as “....the most authoritarian gaming regime in the Western World," and "...a disproportionate and misguided challenge to the constitutional principles of free trade enshrined in EU law.”

Attorney Dr. Ola Wiklund, Attorney at Wistrand Law Firm, Stockholm and an Associate Professor at Stockholm University, is one of the foremost commentators on egaming law. Describing the new law as "draconian" he explained that the Turkish government's “Bill regarding Application of Amendments on Certain Laws with Law on Arrangement of Book Making on Football Contests” embraces all operations of gaming companies, domestic or foreign, that operate without authorisation from the Turkish government, offering gaming services on the Internet.

Such companies could face imprisonment from two to five years together with heavy fines, whilst promoting, facilitating or participating in these activities is also strictly prohibited and criminalised.

“The Bill sets up the most authoritarian gaming regime in the Western World," Wiklund claims. "The Bill rests primarily on financial considerations and state purse concerns. The Turkish government wishes to make a pre-emptive strike against private gaming companies who offer considerably more favourable terms for the consumer by way of better odds and higher return rate," he said.

“The Turkish State wishes to adopt through the State controlled operators (notably IDDAA) an aggressive and expansive policy with a view to increasing the State’s income from gambling. It is astonishing that this policy also allows the private shareholders of the State controlled undertakings to benefit. This would be wholly unacceptable within the EU. It would be deplorable if it will create an obstacle for the ongoing integration process between Turkey and Europe,” he concluded in a reference to Turkey's plan to join the European Union.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa

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