Gambling

Public consultation on on-line gambling in the Single Market

The Green paper on on-line gambling launched an extensive consultation on all public policy challenges and possible Single Market issues resulting from the rapid development of both licit and unauthorised on-line gambling offers directed at citizens in the EU.

All responses and contributions received within the public consultation are published on the web site of DG Internal Market and Services as well as on the Your Voice in Europe portal. A summary of all contributions will follow the publication of responses.

The Commission organised 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.

• Press release (24.03.2011)
• FAQs
• Green Paper on on-line gambling in the Internal Market
  * (Wegen Probleme technischer Art wird die offizielle deutsche Version möglichst schnell folgen)
  
• Staff working document accompanying the Green Paper
• Access to the consultation
• Workshops

Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council (10.12.2010)

During the Competitiveness Council of 10 December ministers adopted conclusions on gambling and betting.

• Conclusions on the framework for gambling and betting in the EU member states

Conference on the role of authorities in regulating gambling (12.10.2010)

On 12 October 2010, the Belgian Presidency of the EU, in cooperation with the European Commission and the Belgian Gaming Commission held a conference on the role that authorities can play in regulating gambling. This conference aimed to advance the debate on the role of regulatory authorities, the prevention of illegal gambling, and the problems and solutions surrounding the social impact of gambling.

• Programme
• Video (part 1)
• Video (part 2)
• Video (part 3)
• Presentations
  • Speech by Commissioner M. Barnier 
  • Biographies of the participants 
  • Presentation by Mr. C. Visart de Bocarme 
  • Presentation by Mr. Paul Bolt 
  • Presentation by Mr. Mark Griffiths 
  • Presentation by Ms. Marian Grubben 
  • Presentation by Mr. E. Marique 
  • Presentation by Ms. Barbara Masquelier 
  • Presentation by Mr. Francesco Rodano 
  • Presentation by Ms. Christel Schaldemose 
  • Presentation by Mr. Gérard Schoen 
  • Presentation by Mr. Fred Speijers
  • Presentation by Mr. Martin Sychold 
  • Presentation by Mr. Antonio Tagliaferri 
  • Presentation by Mr. Jean-Marc Triffaux, 
  • Presentation by Mr. Jean-François Vilotte,, 
  • Presentation by Mr. Philippe Vlaemminck 
  • Conclusions by Mr. Peter Naessens 

Study on gambling

To obtain a detailed overview of the legal and economic aspects of gambling and games of chance, the Commission asked the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law to carry out a study into the sector. The study is the result of close to two years work and provides an analysis of the legal regimes governing gambling and games of chance in the European Union. The study also attempts to give indications on the economic development of the sector. The study confirms that in all Member States the sector is subject to rules and regulations aimed at safeguarding public interest objectives. While pursuing broadly similar aims the national laws and regulations vary considerably and often lead to barriers to the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment that are incompatible with Community law.

• Executive Summary and Table of Contents
• Legal Study Part 1
• Legal Study Part 2
• Economic Study Part 1
• Economic Study Part 2
• Appendices (References/Contacts/Respondents/Authors/Stakeholders)

Infringements