Workshops on On-line Gambling

The Commission organises a number of workshops on identified themes to complement the consultation process and to benefit from the knowledge and experience of experts in the field. For each workshop the Commission invited a select number of specialists in the field across all relevant stakeholders so as to have an in-depth and constructive debate.

The views expressed during the workshops and the conclusions reached are those of the specialists and not necessarily those of the organisation represented.

Workshop I: On-line Gambling and Sport Integrity (with focus on match-fixing)

The workshop focused on issues related to match-fixing, in particular the identification of the inherent risks, prevention and detection measures, sanctions and methods of enforcement as well as the resources entailed to sustain the endeavours undertaken. The workshop sought to get a better understanding on the nature and scale of the risks involved, existing measures by sport bodies, operators and regulators to protect the integrity of sport and how these could be enhanced.

1. Agenda
2. List of Participants
3. Conclusions

Workshop II: On-line Gambling: Detection and prevention of problem gambling and addiction

The workshop discussed issues related to responsible on-line gambling, in particular the identification and better understanding of key characteristics which may lead to the development of problem gambling or to addiction as well as preventive measures, including corporate social responsibility.

This workshop was organised in cooperation with DG Research and Innovation, specifically through the ALICE-RAP (Addiction and lifestyles in contemporary Europe – Reframing Addictions project), a five-year transnational and interdisciplinary project which aims at contributing to the debate on current norms and future implications of addiction and lifestyles in Europe over the next 20 years.

1. Agenda 
2. List of Participants 
3. Conclusions 

Workshop III: On-line Gambling and Systems of Revenue Distribution

The workshop focused on questions concerning the financing of benevolent and other public interest objectives, in particular looking at 1) systems in place to collect revenue from public and commercial operators of lotteries, gambling and betting and conversely 2) the systems in place to channel such revenue to beneficiaries. The workshop sought to get a clearer picture of the reliance of beneficiaries on revenue from gambling and betting activities.

1. Agenda
2. List of Participants
3. Conclusions 

Workshop IV: On-line Gambling and prevention of fraud and money laundering

The workshop addressed issues concerning the protection of public order, in particular looking at existing measures in place to detect and prevent fraud and money laundering. The workshop also sought to get a better understanding of how customers and authorised operators are protected from fraudulent practices, including existing cooperation amongst relevant authorities in Member States and across Member States.

1. Agenda
2. List of Participants
3. Conclusions

Workshop V: On-line gambling: efficient national enforcement measures and administrative cooperation

The workshop focused on how Member States do ensure the achievement of the public interest objectives behind their national gambling policy. It established the responsibilities of the gambling authorities in Member States and looked at the existence and potential of cooperation between European regulators and with other stakeholders, such as sports organisations and betting operators. A clearer picture of the existence and use of enforcement tools, such as payment blocking and blocking access to websites, and their efficacy also emerged from the discussion.

1. Agenda
2. List of Participants
3. Conclusions