Europe to propose harmonised initiatives on online gambling

Set to be delivered on October 24, the body’s ‘action plan for online gambling’ is intended to be a follow up to its Green Paper on online gambling, which was adopted alongside a public consultation in March 2011, and will lay out European Union-wide guidelines for the regulation of market access and consumer protection issues.

“The consultation revealed that member states essentially have the same objectives; protecting consumers, ensuring a fair and transparent offer, preventing fraud and protecting the integrity of sports,” read a statement from the EC. “The consultation also showed that in an online environment it is virtually impossible for member states to address these objectives individually.

“More and more member states are reviewing their national gambling legislation. Consequently, it is possible to capitalise on the existing good practices in the European Union primarily by fostering administrative cooperation.

“In a rapidly developing market, it is essential for regulators to understand the business and the technology as well as having up-to-date information. Better cooperation between member states is also needed to tackle the international dimension of online gambling more effectively. The European Parliament and member states have called for cooperation among national regulatory bodies,” read EC statement.