EGBA discusses future plans for the implementation of gaming regulations

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has pledged its support to the European Council’s statement which had urged “the incoming European Commission and Parliament to focus on ensuring the Single Marker rules are better implemented and enforced.”
As it stands, the Digital Single Market has been high on the agenda for implementation, however it has not yet been developed sufficiently to help “Europe’s citizens to benefit from the full potential of a truly functional and integrated online Single Market.”
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) commented on the matter: “It is 2019: if the EU is really serious about making the digital single market work for its consumers, then the Commission should enforce EU law in all online sectors, including online gambling.
“We call on the Commission to fulfil its task as the Guardian of the Treaties by enforcing EU law in the whole online environment.”
The EGBA has previously pointed to research undertaken by City University of London, which has found the European market to be an un-harmonised and unequal one with regards to online gambling regulations and consumer protections.
Furthermore, the EGBA states that EU digital consumers have been left unprotected by the Commission’s decision to stop enforcing EU Single Market laws on online gambling as part of a 2017 legislative revision.
At present, European policy states that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will continue to forward gambling-related disputes to be handled independently by national courts.
Haijer added: “The Commission should also reinstate the regulatory cooperation between Member States in online gambling, to allow structured dialogue and help improve cross-border cooperation and the protection of consumers. It is time for the Commission to act.”