RGA APPLAUDS LATEST EU ACTION

7 March 2008

Trade association welcomes warnings on Netherlands and Greece


The decision by the compliance wing of the European Union to issue warnings to the Netherlands and Greece regarding their exclusionary and protectionist online gambling policies (see previous InfoPowa report) was applauded by the Remote Gambling Association as the week ended.

Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the trade association that represents most of Europe's major gambling companies, said: “In the face of sometimes very strong opposition, it does the [European] Commission great credit that it continues to fulfil its role as guardian of the [EU] Treaty in such a robust and objective way.

"Coming on the heels of its decision in January to take similar action against Germany and Sweden, this should send a strong signal across Europe that protectionism in the gambling sector will not be tolerated.

"The Dutch government has even tried to carve out an online gambling monopoly for Holland Casino, but this Opinion should serve notice that such actions are not acceptable.”

Both the Netherlands and Greece, as EU Member States will now be investigated by the European Commission to determine whether their national gambling laws are in contravention of the European Treaty.

In particular, the Commission will need to be assured that restrictions which are being placed on the freedom of gambling operators in other EU states to provide their services in the two countries are justifiable under EU law and are not there primarily to defend the position of domestic gambling companies or state operators.

10 of the 27 European Union states are under the Commission's microscope for monopolistic or protectionist practices that seek to prevent the free passage of trade and services between EU member nations.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa