Euroslot-APR09-PG06-17:Layout 1 25/03/2009 10:42 Page 14
INDUSTRY NEWS www.euroslot-online.com
L
ast month, the
European Parliament
adopted an own-
initiative report by MEP
Christel Schaldemose
(PSE, Denmark), on the
“Integrity of Online
Gambling”. Various
industry bodies have
conflicting views on the
report as follows:
The RGA: against Betfair: in favour
T
he RGA denounced the Opinion on the integrity of online gambling
adopted today by the European Parliament, which it believes B
etfair has welcomed the support expressed for the alternative report on protecting
the integrity of online gambling. The report was tabled in the European Parliament
dramatically overplays the risks associated with online gambling. and seeks to replace the original report by Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose.
“The concerns expressed in the European Parliament Resolution are MEPs from nine countries voted in favour of the alternative report, which calls for the
unfounded and it is disappointing that it does not more closely reflect consistent application of high standards of consumer protection across Europe and
the findings of the Europe Economics study that it commissioned to recognises the tools the internet brings to the sector in terms of financial traceability
produce an independent report on these issues. In fact, the experience of and ability to detect match-fixing.
Member States that regulate private sector remote gambling operators Ms. Schaldemose’s report uses the issue of consumer protection as a pretext for the
clearly disproves these negative remarks,” the RGA claimed in a release. subversion of the internal market. As a UK-licensed operator, Betfair complies with
“Gambling is recognized by the European Court of Justice as a extensive consumer protection requirements which meet the standards of those in force
legitimate economic service to which EU internal market rules apply. In in any EU Member State.   Discrimination against non-monopoly operators is, therefore,
particular this includes the right of service providers legitimately unjustified and inconsistent with the principles of the internal market.
established in the EU to enjoy non-discriminatory access to the markets Betfair Managing Director Mark Davies said: “We believe that MEPs from countries
of other Member States The Parliament Opinion does not place enough which have monopoly operators who supported the alternative report have sent a clear
emphasis on this issue,” the release continued. signal that the current hypocrisy has gone on long enough.
Clive Hawkswood, the RGA’s Chief Executive noted that “from the “They want their government to respect the rights and wishes of their citizens to be
beginning, the industry welcomed the initiative by the European able to gamble in a safe environment where they benefit from the highest standards of
Parliament to examine the integrity of the online gaming industry. We protection, rather than merely protecting their state-run operators.”
have a good story to tell if people are willing to hear it, but unfortunately
many people have deeply ingrained anti-gambling prejudices and, of
course, there are powerful vested interests that are opposed to the
Euromat: happy
opening up of markets in the EU.
“The serious claims in this Resolution are highly detrimental to
European-licensed operators, which already comply with stringent “The report is not legally binding but it does  show a keen interest in the gambling sector
legislation and high standards of consumer protection and social in the European Parliament, which EUROMAT welcomes,” said Lucy C. Cronin, Secretary
responsibility. Moreover, it blindly ignores the findings of the General of EUROMAT. 
Parliament’s own study, prepared by Europe Economics which The report essentially notes that the regulation of all forms of gambling, include
demonstrates the lack of evidence to support many of these online activity,  is best left to the Member States and that the principle of subsidiarity
arguments.” should be respected in this regard.  EUROMAT consistently maintains that national
For this reason, the RGA welcomed the thrust of the alternative regulators are best placed to regulate and oversee the provision of gambling services in
Resolution that was tabled by a minority opposition within the their countries and that this should remain the case.  In addition, the report does
Parliament which calls for co-operation on online gambling standards in acknowledge the need for cooperation between consumers, operators and Member
this sector, and for the European Commission to bring to a rapid States to ensure better consumer protection, an objective fully supported by EUROMAT. 
conclusion the infringement proceedings that are outstanding against Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mario Mauro (EPP-ED, Italy), last week
10 Member States. touted the idea of setting up an Intergroup in the  European Parliament  on Gambling -
“ We supported the main points of the alternative motion for the very “This is something which would further show the  European Parliament’s commitment to
reason that it did what the Opinion itself failed to do – it attempted to ensuring proper debate on gambling policy at EU level and should be welcomed by all
set the stage for an EU discussion on standards for both private and stakeholders”, added Mrs. Cronin.
state gambling operators. The adopted resolution is more about the The own-initiative report will now be sent to the European Commission for its
funding of sports and effectively protecting existing national gambling consideration, although the Commission is not legally bound to act upon the
markets rather than the integrity of online gambling, which was meant recommendations in the  report.
to be its real purpose.” stated Mr. Hawkswood.
14
APRIL 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40