RGA applauds European Commission's egaming framework
CEO Clive Hawkswood describes document as a "worthy attempt" to implement headline issues with regard to a Europe-wide regulatory framework.
Gaming lobby group the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has described the European Commission’s (EC) egaming framework proposals as a “worthy attempt” to address key issues facing the industry.
Published today, the EC’s communication entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive European Framework for online gambling‘ outlines a number of regulatory initiatives and measures designed to tackle non-compliant EU states as well as areas such as money laundering and match fixing.
The RGA welcomed the proposals for EU regulators to work closer together, and said it “particularly commends” the Commission for its “renewed commitment to ensure that all EU national regulatory frameworks are fully compliant with EU law”.
Today’s document follows the EC’s Green Paper consultation launched in March 2011. The RGA said in a statement that while the EC stopped taking action against the many Member States whose gambling legislation or regulations breach EU law while the Green Paper process was underway, it is clear that the investigations will resume “without delay”.
The RGA has previously expressed its dissatisfaction with a number of regulatory proposals it considers non-compliant with EU law, most recently proposals in Cyprus which have also been met with strong criticism from Betfair.
Last month it also backed plans for the European Union (CJEU) to challenge the gambling monopoly held by OPAP in Greece, saying it welcomed the opinion of the Advocate General as it “demonstrates once again that this regime was blatantly in breach of EU law”.
Elsewhere in the document, the EC proposes to extend the scope of the Anti-Money Laundering Directive to all forms of gambling, as well as the expedition of two key formal recommendations set for 2013 on common minimum protection standards for consumers and responsible gambling advertising.
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the RGA, said: “We look forward to discussing the detail of these proposals, but in the main they appear to be worthy attempts to address the headline issues. In the longer term we hope that they will lead to greater regulatory consistency across the EU and bring an end to the completely fragmented market that has developed so far.
“It is equally important that the licensed private sector online gambling industry is treated fairly and in accordance with EU law. At the moment there are over 30 complaints against Member State laws and regulations that are apparently in breach of EU law. There has been no action since 2008 on a single complaint or infringement proceeding. The Commission’s credibility as guardian of the Treaty can only be guaranteed if it now proceeds with the rapid and substantive action that Commissioner Barnier has indicated will take place”.