Today will see the publication of a European Union wide Green Paper on the online gambling industry by the European Commission and just when you thought we’d go a day without an opinion one has come along to save the day.
It was only yesterday that European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) secretary general Sigrid Ligne asked for more harmony in the EU and now she’s back – with a vengeance!
The EGBA are primarily concerned with the paper having no commitment to curb the already widespread fragmentation that occurs in Europe.
Ligne said, “We welcome the Commission coming forward with a Green Paper and a factual discussion on all aspects of online gambling. We are deeply concerned though that the focus of the paper seems to be on a national rather than a EU approach despite the clear cross-border nature of this sector.”
The Green Paper, which will be published later today, will look at issues such as fraud and player protection, payment processing, marketing and integrity but many still believe that it won’t address the issues that need looking at.
Ligne continued, “What we expect is the Commission to propose an EU regulatory framework for online gambling, as it has done for other inherently highly regulated sectors such as telecoms or pharmaceuticals. In parallel, the Commission in its role as guardian of the Treaty should vigorously and systematically pursue infringement proceedings against those Member States that continue to violate EU law.”
Ligne’s latest comments come after the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) and the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) already made their opinions known and the whole of Europe will be waiting with baited breath ahead of this afternoon’s publication.
