Euromat calls for a level playing field for all forms of gambling

The one-day high-level conference, organised by Forum Europe, gathered an important number of key policy makers, national regulators and stakeholders with the aim of discussing ongoing developments concerning the gambling industry and exchanging views on the best way forward to achieve a market for online gambling services that is appropriately regulated. Annette Kok was invited to participate in the first panel "The Green Paper on online gambling: Is Europe on the right track?" to present the views from the land-based sector.

In her introductory remarks, Annette Kok told the audience, "We welcome the adoption of the Green Paper. It is an important first step. However, in order to be "on the right track" further consideration to a number of key issues is needed", and pointed to a level playing field for all forms of gambling services, the proper enforcement of rules, responsible gambling principles and measures to combat fraud and money laundering as essential elements to achieving effective and robust regulation for all games of chance including "remote gambling".

Furthermore, Annette Kok explained that due to the social and cultural specificities of the gambling sector, this is best achieved at the national level. "National regulatory models do co-exist. Indeed, Euromat represents an industry that for more than 30 years has proven that it is possible to operate and collaborate within national frameworks", she concluded.