European Parliament to decide on in-running betting ban
European Parliament to vote on an online gambling motion aimed at protecting consumers and integrity of sport
The European Parliament is due to meet in Strasbourg this afternoon to vote on an online gambling motion which could result in the prohibition of all in-running betting.
Tabled by Conservative MEP Ashley Fox, the motion sets out a number of recommendations aimed at building a comprehensive European framework for online gambling through closer cooperation between member states.
The framework has placed the protection of the consumer at the heart of its agenda with measures aimed at tackling issues such as addictive gambling and irresponsible advertising campaigns included.
However, most notably, the motion requests that state regulators place a ban all forms of live sports betting as “these have proved to be very vulnerable to match-fixing and therefore pose a risk to the integrity of sport”.
In-running, or live, betting has grown in popularity over recent years assisted by the advancements in technology and the development of mobile betting.
It was recently revealed that Paddy Power’s in-running revenues totalled 20% of its entire income so, should the motion be passed, state operators are sure to come under pressure from sportsbooks to drop this particular measure.
Other recommendations include harmonising national gambling tax regimes to prevent disproportionate tax concessions and the implementation of a compulsory third-party identification control in order to exclude minors or those using fake identities from online gambling.
A report which proceeded the motion had stated there was a “dangerous” link between severe economic hardship and high levels of gambling.
Coupled with what it described as an “extremely harsh social and economic climate” which had been “instrumental in the huge upsurge in gambling” it concluded there was a need for a closer monitoring of levels of gambling addiction and problem gambling.