The Remote Gambling Association (RGA), the largest remote gambling trade body in the world, has praised some of the more progressive elements of the European Parliament’s resolution on online gambling, which was voted on and agreed today. The resolution demonstrates a clear shift in understanding and support for the European licensed online gambling sector. In particular, it presses the European Commission to ensure compliance with EU law and to pursue infringement proceedings against Member States that unjustifiably restrict access to their gambling markets.

The European Parliament?s resolution follows the publication of the European Commission?s Online Gambling Green Paper earlier this year. Led by Jurgen Creutzmann MEP, and supported by a number of progressive and pro-market orientated MEPs within the Parliament?s influential Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee, the resolution has some welcome elements for licensed private online gambling operators.

In particular, the resolution promotes:

• the provision of well-regulated online gambling services;

• cooperation between national gambling regulators;

• the need to avoid unnecessary licensing duplication and administrative burdens;

• notes that licensed betting operators help protect the integrity of sport;

• that more progress should be made on addressing infringement cases; and

• that the Commission should take action against violations of the EU Treaties.

“The European Parliament?s resolution demonstrates a marked change in approach. It now wants to regulate rather than prohibit, and it is pressing the Commission to act against Member States which unjustifiably restrict access to their gambling markets. The resolution is clear, reminding the Commission „of its duty to act swiftly upon receipt of complaints about violations of the freedoms enshrined in the Treaties.? The licensed private remote gambling sector is in full support of those remarks,” Clive Hawkswood, RGA Chief Executive said.

Hawkswood also drew attention to the fact that the licensed private remote gambling sector had already been working to deliver European-wide standards, as promoted by the European Parliament?s resolution, most notably through the Responsible Remote Gambling Measures agreed with the EU recognised European Committee for Standardisation.

“The Parliament?s resolution insists that licensing procedures must be transparent and non-discriminatory, and avoid unnecessary duplication of requirements and controls carried out in Member States. There is no evidence that introducing a well-regulated licensing regime with multiple operators presents any more concerns than a monopoly. It is clear that Member States are increasingly coming to that conclusion,”

The content of this article is taken from the RGA website.