EGBA launched in Brussels

EBA has been acknowledged by authorities throughout Europe as a strong voice bringing to the forefront national and European debates regarding the rights of regulated European-licensed operators to offer cross-border services. In the context of fast-growing and changing markets, legal developments and an intense public and political debate, new challenges have emerged.

In the footsteps of EBA, EGBA aims at promoting the implementation at European level of a competitive, fair and regulated market accessible to operators applying high-level standards with regard to consumer and minor protection as well as other aspects of responsible gaming.

The association believes that consumers should have access to a greater choice of regulated European operators and access to the highest possible standards in protection and care, which is more likely to be achieved through regulated competition than in a monopoly environment.

Established in Brussels, EGBA groups the leading cross-border online gaming and betting operators fully established and licensed in Europe, several of which are publicly listed. All the members of EGBA (Bet-at-home.com, bwin, Carmen Media Group, Expekt, Interwetten, PartyGaming, and Unibet) abide by a Code of Conduct listing a common set of strict rules enforcing socially responsible internet gaming and betting. These standards, audited by specialized external bodies, supplement each member's national licensing requirements imposed by its home European regulator.

EGBA aims at continuing a constructive dialogue with all stakeholders including regulators, EU and national authorities, state operators and consumers. Sigrid Ligné, the new Secretary General of EGBA, comments “It's time now that all stakeholders put on the table their real concerns and expectations. EGBA has a strong commitment to lead the way to a regulated and transparent European market for the benefit of consumer choice and protection.”

To facilitate common understanding and interactive dialogue, EGBA launched its website at www.egba.eu.