Table of Contents:
- Online gambling
- Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Online gambling
- Online gambling (Green Paper)
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Online gambling
Topics
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has also established ground rules for commercial communications on gambling services and, in particular, for those provided under monopoly conditions. Advertising by the holder of a public monopoly is to be measured and strictly limited to what is necessary in order to channel consumers towards. Odds: Gambling, Law, and Strategy in the European Union. The gambling industry in the EU is governed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). The association was set in 2007 to execute various mandates, including the creation of a fair, regulated, and competitive environment for the lottery industry.
Internal market >Single market for services
Online gambling (Green Paper)
In 2008, gambling revenues reached EUR 75.9 billion. Online gambling is the fastest-growing gaming sector. This growth, and that of the Internet, makes monitoring these cross-border services difficult. National legal frameworks vary enormously from one EU country to another, imposing different rules for licensing, related online services, payments, public interest objectives, and the fight against fraud. The Commission therefore decided to launch a consultation to identify common practices which would facilitate the provision of cross-border services. The aim is to achieve a regulated internal market for online gambling.
Document or Iniciative
European Commission Green Paper of 24 March 2011, on on-line gambling in the Internal Market [COM(2011) 128 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
Gambling Law European Union Definition
Summary
This Green Paper aims to launch a debate on the development of online gambling in the European Union (EU). There are currently two national models applied in this sector, namely:
- a strictly regulated framework within which licensed operators provide services;
- a strictly controlled monopoly.
However, the development of extensive illegal or “black” online markets (markets consisting of unlicensed operators) or “grey” markets poses a number of challenges. It is for this reason that the European Commission wishes to consult the various stakeholders in order to better frame the development of such activities at cooperative or cross-border levels.
Definition and current legislation
Gambling falls under Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) and is governed by service provision rules. The terms covers a wide range of service activities which individuals can access directly by electronic means, such as:
- online sports betting;
- casino games;
- media games;
- promotional games;
- gambling services operated by and for the benefit of recognised charities and non-profit making organisations;
- lottery services.
Gambling Law European Union 2020
The Internet and other technological platforms (i.e. mobile telephones) are used in online gaming:
- to offer gambling services to consumers;
- to allow consumers to bet or gamble against each other (betting exchanges or online poker);
- as a distribution technique (e.g. lottery tickets).
Communication techniques used by providers of online gaming services for promotion and supply
The main communication techniques used to promote online services are:
- TV advertising;
- printed press advertising;
- online commercial communications;
- sales promotions (e.g. premium offers);
- direct marketing;
- sponsorship agreements;
- online banners and pop-ups on non-gambling sites.
Payment services and pay-outs
Generally, operators require customers to deposit funds on player accounts before playing by using:
- credit cards;
- e-Wallets;
- bank transfers;
- pre-paid cards;
- cash transfers.
Customer identification
Customer identification is necessary for the protection of minors, the prevention of money laundering and fraud, and “know-your-customer” controls. However, the absence of mutual recognition of identification services across the EU raises difficulties.
Public interest objectives
The Commission identifies three public interest objectives which may be valid for Member States in defining their national online gambling policies:
- consumer protection: this involves protecting gamblers against fraudulent services, particularly gamblers suffering from addiction. Member States already have available a number of instruments such as age limits, bans on the use of credit or restrictions on certain forms of games. The Commission proposes to discuss the effectiveness of such instruments in protecting consumers;
- public order: Member States should seek to prevent fraud and unfair games, as well as money laundering. The Commission notes the application of certain types of measures such as customer due diligence, payment controls and operational controls in combating these practices;
- financing of public interest activities: methods for channelling gambling revenues vary considerably from one Member State to another. The Commission wishes to examine more closely systems of revenue returns to event organisers, and the risks of “free-riding” revenue channelling schemes through the provision of online gambling services.
Payment blocking and liability regimes
Member States have a wide range of practices to manage the licensing, regulation and monitoring of online gaming. Through this Green Paper, the Commission wishes to analyse the actual role of regulatory bodies in the Member States.
Gambling Law European Union Wikipedia
Gambling authorities could cooperate with national and European stakeholders. The Commission wishes to strengthen this type of cooperation.
In some Member States, there are blocking schemes to limit illicit and cross-border online gambling services by:
- Domain Name System (DNS) filtering;
- Internet Protocol (IP) blocking;
- Payment blocking, based on the operators’ Merchant Category Code (MCC).
The Commission intends to develop tools to foster this type of procedure at cross-border level, as well as other practices.
Gambling Law European Union Pdf
Related entries about European law:
- Internet, Online activities and ICT standards Internet usage is widespread throughout the European Union (EU). Nearly one person in two uses the Internet on a...
- Towards a single market in creative content online Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Management of online rights in musical works Document or Iniciative Commission Recommendation 2005/737/EC of 18 May 2005 on collective cross-border management of copyright and related rights...
- Single Market for Services Services account for more than 70 % of the economic activity of the Member States and a similar proportion...
- Digitising cultural heritage online ......
- Online access to Europe’s cultural heritage Europeana, the European digital library, which will provide the public with a single access point to Europe’s cultural heritage....
- Mortgage Credit in the EU Mortgage credit markets vary greatly between the different Member States, with the same being true for consumer protection in...
- Online learning: eLearning Programme The eLearning programme was aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of European education and training systems through the...
- Protection of video game users Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- The open internet and net neutrality Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors and the implications for regulation Last updated: 12.05.2006 ......
- Integration of European Mortgage Credit Markets Document or Iniciative White Paper of 18 December 2007 on the Integration of EU Mortgage Credit Markets presented by...
- Financial services: banking Banking services are essential to the smooth functioning of economic activity – be it to do with payments, loans...
- Green Paper on Copyright in the Knowledge Economy This Green Paper aims at organising a debate concerning online access to all types of works whilst preserving copyright....
- White Paper on services of general interest Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Social services of general interest Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission of 26 April 2006, Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of...
- 'Services' Directive Document or Iniciative Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services...
- Internal Market Problem Solving System Document or Iniciative Commission Recommendation of 7 December 2001 on principles for using 'SOLVIT' - the Internal Market Problem...
- Copyright in the Knowledge Economy Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission of 19 October 2009 - Copyright in the Knowledge Economy [COM(2009) 532...
- Financial education Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission of 18 December 2007 - Financial education [COM(2007) 808 final - Not...
- Cultural Initiatives and Cooperation Table of Contents:Cultural Initiatives and CooperationCultural Initiatives and Cooperation ContentsCultural CooperationCultural Programmes and Initiatives Cultural Initiatives and Cooperation Cultural Initiatives...
- Company law Companies are key operators in the internal market. Company law aims to improve their operating efficiency via a simplified...
- Protecting children in the digital world Document or Iniciative Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Insurance Guarantee Schemes Document or Iniciative White Paper on Insurance Guarantee Schemes [COM(2010) 370 final - Not published in the Official Journal]....
- Enhancing the framework for investment funds The investment fund sector is undergoing constant change. It also contributes to the development of integrated and efficient European...
- Green Paper on public-private partnerships The phenomenon of public-private partnerships (PPPs), which re-define the relationship between the public and private spheres, is expanding rapidly....
- Media literacy in the digital age The production and consumption of media in the digital age is transforming the media sector. Broadband networks are becoming...
- White Paper on Financial Services Policy This White Paper presents the European Commission's financial services policy priorities from 2005 to 2010. The Commission considers it...
- New European commitment for services of general interest Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Electronic commerce Document or Iniciative Commission Communication of 7 February 2001 to the Council and the European Parliament on e-commerce and...
- Financial services: insurance European policy in the field of insurance seeks to put in place a common framework enabling insurers to operate,...
- Public procurement The purchase of goods and services and the ordering of works by a public authority such as a national...
- Financial services: general framework The integration of financial markets means that capital can be allocated more efficiently and makes for better long term...
- The Establishment of an Internal Postal Market Document or Iniciative Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 Februray 2008 amending Directive...
- Green Paper on Services of General Interest The aim of this Green Paper is to organise an open debate on the role of the European Union...
- Green Paper: European Contract Law for consumers and businesses This Green Paper launches a consultation of stakeholders in order to identify solutions which could improve contract law in...
- Intellectual property rights: enhancing their enforcement Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social...
- Green Paper on the European Workforce for Health Document or Iniciative Green Paper from the Commission of 10 December 2008 on the health workforce [COM(2008) 725 final...
- The competitiveness of business-related services Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee...
- Monitoring consumer outcomes in the single market Document or Iniciative Communication from the Commission of 29 January 2008 - Monitoring consumer outcomes in the single market:...
The FINANCIAL -- The virtual world has a very big influence on many different things. Gambling is no exception. Big profit can be made from playing games like online gambling. Online gambling can be way cheaper and practical in most cases. It can also provide a bigger variety of games and opportunities. Online gambling regulation in EU countries is characterised by diverse regulatory frameworks.
Online gambling has become very popular and is now preferred by many people around the globe. Almost everyone who likes to gamble is now shifting towards playing gambling games like slots, poker, lotteries, and betting over the internet through their mobile phones and laptops. However, gambling is by some viewed as a bad thing, so it is not legal in all countries. But it is legal in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, Denmark, and in some states in the United States like Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Many other countries are in the stage of initiating online casinos and legalizing online gambling. But there are some countries and states where online gambling is banned. They see gambling as a harmful activity and a moral hazard because of the possibility of money laundering, addiction, and underaged players. But there are also places where gambling is seen as a normal and mostly a harmless activity, Euro Weekly News wrote.
Most EU countries allow at least some games of chance to be offered on the internet. Some countries allow all games, while others only allow certain types such as betting, poker or casino games. In some European jurisdictions, monopolistic regimes offering online gambling services have been established. These are run by a state-controlled public operator or by a private operator on the basis of an exclusive right. However, a growing number of EU countries have established licensing systems that allow more than 1 operator to offer services on the market. Under EU law, no particular system is favoured over the others.
Online gambling regulation in EU countries is characterised by diverse regulatory frameworks. In a number of judgments, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the compliance of national regulatory frameworks with EU law. All national regulatory systems must respect EU law. In a series of judgments, the CJEU has provided general guidance on the interpretation of the fundamental freedoms of the Internal Market in the area of online gambling so that national courts can assess the circumstances under which restrictive national gambling laws are justified on grounds related to the general interest.
While EU countries usually offer legitimate reasons for the restriction of cross-border gambling services, they must nonetheless demonstrate the suitability, proportionality and necessity of the measure in question, in particular the existence of a problem linked to the public interest objective at stake and the consistency of the regulatory system. EU countries must also demonstrate that the public interest objectives they have chosen are being pursued in a consistent and systematic manner, and they must not undertake, facilitate, or tolerate measures that would run counter to the achievement of these objectives according to the European Commission.
Online gambling drastically changed the gambling industry. It offers a couple of conveniences that wouldn’t be provided by offline gambling. That is one of the main reasons why the online platform in this industry is growing exponentially in the users. We should also mention that offline gambling also has some advantages such as meeting other users and connecting with them socially. It all comes down to personal choice and preferences.