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GamblingGroup of experts on gambling servicesOn 5 December 2012 the Commission adopted a decision setting up the group of experts on gambling services. The expert group shall provide the Commission with advice and expertise in relation to the preparation of policy initiatives. It shall also facilitate the exchange of regulatory experience and good practices between Member States. Provisional version of the decision: EN - DE - FR CompositionMembers of the Group shall be Member States' authorities regulating gambling services. MeetingsCommunication “Towards a comprehensive European framework on online gambling”On 23 October 2012, the European Commission adopted the Communication “Towards a comprehensive European framework on online gambling”. Based on an in-depth public consultation, this Communication sets out an action plan which is seeking to enhance clarity throughout the EU for the benefit of national authorities, operators, consumers and related industry such as payment service or media service providers. Five action areas are prioritised to address the challenges faced at EU and national level:
Documents:The Communication is accompanied by a staff working paper “Online gambling in the Internal Market”. The staff working paper is structured along the five priority areas, substantiating the issues and shortcomings as well as the mix of actions being proposed to strengthen the impetus to tackle the shared challenges. In addition, this document delves into the definitions, the market for online gambling services, the regulatory situation in Europe, the fundamental principles of the EU Treaty and the financing systems for public interest activities. The evidence in the report stems from the Green Paper public consultation; case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU and the EFTA Court, and other sources.
Public consultation on on-line gambling in the Single MarketThe 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.
Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council (10.12.2010)During the Competitiveness Council of 10 December ministers adopted conclusions on gambling and betting. 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.
Study on gamblingTo 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.
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