Editorial: EU Divided over Opposing Gambling Legislation

While America's proposed legislation for online gambling has dominated the world gambling news for most of 2009, many other countries are also contemplating which direction to take with gambling regulation. While some European countries are moving forward by embracing online gambling, others are regressing by outlawing gambling altogether. It's hard to believe that these two opposing extremes exist in such close proximity to each other, but when it comes to gambling legislation it's clear that there are still many things the EU doesn't agree on.

At the forefront of progressive gambling legislation are Denmark and the UK. Both bodies have long been friendly toward gambling in every form, and while the UK remains proactive about creating new gambling opportunities, they're also simultaneously working to secure a bigger share of online gambling revenues through increased taxation of online operators. Tentatively following their lead is France.

In October, the French National Assembly approved legislation that essentially legalizes online gambling in the country. That said, France's new regulations for online gambling are far more restrictive than Denmark's and even the UK's. The legislation includes two clauses, both of which require potential operators to jump through hoops to attain licensing. These requirements place approved operators under French jurisdiction and, by extension, French taxation. Noticeably exempt from the new legislation are two large, preexisting French operators, causing many critics to label the new laws as both anti-competitive and discriminatory.

If France's new online gambling legislation is restrictive, then Poland's pending gambling legislation is outright prohibitive. After the current Polish regime was rocked by a gambling-related bribery scandal, the remaining officials were so intent on proving their integrity that they have drafted and approved new legislation that limits gambling strictly to government-approved casinos. Prime Minister Tusk's new plan will remove over 50,000 slot machines from gambling halls, restaurants, gas stations and bars. Even gambling-oriented advertising will be banned outside casinos, and casinos themselves will face tightened restrictions and increased taxes. Many suspect that the PM will go after online gambling next.

Meanwhile, more traditional forms of gambling (like government lotteries) are still making news in Italy, Germany and Spain. Though profits in most of these companies (except Germany) have dipped during the recession, no changes in legislation are planned; each of the host countries still relies heavily on their lottery operations for extra revenue.

09-Nov-2009, 12:57

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I have had a look at the

Mon, 12/14/2009 - 09:33 — Segoviano (not verified)

I have had a look at the website mentioned and I think this type of initiatives are great at least to raise awareness about the fact that politicians are not listening to consumers wishes, thus consumers need to raise their voices.
The information provided can end with some misunderstandings as regards the gambling sector and there are several tools as the MEP one to email politicians on the subject. I recommend the site to everyone who believes in an open and single European market not only in the gambling sector but within any economic sector.

Given that it has just

Wed, 11/11/2009 - 08:56 — Richard (not verified)

Given that it has just emerged that the EU is making €3.4b a year from the gambling industry, and 64% sports revenue comes from the private gambling sector, how can the EU continue to condone the protectionism systems in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece? They are really biting the hand that feeds them by refusing to allow the gambling sector to trade freely, and it seems this will be having a knock on effect on the revenue of sports, which surely harms the majority of EU citizens. The campaign at www.right2bet.net is fighting for an open gambling market. Please support the petition.

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