EL published White Paper with seven key policy proposals

Protecting European consumers against illegal operators  that  flood the European markets with dangerous products should be the first and foremost aim of any action at European and at the national levels. Ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s Action Plan on Gambling expected for the autumn of this year,  EL outlines seven key proposals for the European Institutions and for Member States that can contribute to achieving this goal.

EL President Friedrich Stickler: “We have heard the call from Commissioner Barnier loud and clear that the protection of European consumers should be the primary aim of policy action in the field of gambling. We stand firmly committed to supporting the European Commission and all European Institutions in the fight against the illegal operators that offer harmful products to consumers.”

EL expresses the following key demands towards the EEuropean Institutions and the Member States: Cooperate to fight illegal operators: The Council and its Working Groups should study and make proposals for information exchange and administrative coordination between Member States to fight illegal gambling.

-Effective law enforcement to protect consumers: Member States need to put in place  law enforcement mechanisms against illegal operators, such as blocking of illegal websites and placing illegal operators on a publicly accessible black list.

-Unfair operator principle: Member States are to act in coordination and refuse licences to operators that are breaking the law in another EU country.

-Extend the Anti-Money Laundering Directive to all forms of online gambling.

-Preserve the Integrity of Sport: The European Institutions and Member States need to take strong actions against sports fraud.

-Recognise the primary competence of Member States in the field of gambling: The European Institutions, and in particular the European Commission in its forthcoming Action Plan, should clearly recognise Member States’ primary competence in the field of gambling, in particular with regard to protecting public order and consumers.

Furthermore, EL demands that the sustainable contribution of lotteries to society is taken into account in all discussion at EU level, in line with the 2010 Council conclusions.

A record breaking 25 billion euros from revenue generated by lotteries in Europe returned to society through  payments to the State budgets and the funding of causes of general interest. In 2011,  EL’s members’ revenue from draw-based and instant games and sports betting amounted to more than  80 billion euros. The total sales from EL members amount to a spectacular 100 billion in turnover if the revenue from electronic gaming machines, which are offered by some EL members, is included.