About EGBA
News Centre
Regulation & Licensing
Our Responsibility
Our Consumers
Contact Us
Responsible Gaming Day
Betting licence procedures under tight EU scrutiny
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomes the ruling of the European Court of Justice in the case (C-260/04) concerning the renewal of horse race betting licences in Italy which states that “the Italian Republic failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 43 (freedom of establishment) and 49 (freedom to provide services) of the EC Treaty“. In particular, the Court found that „the Italian authorities infringed the general principle of transparency and the obligation to ensure a sufficent degree of advertising“. Today’s court decision is in line with previous ECJ rulings reached in the Gambelli and Placanica cases
According to the ECJ, Italian authorities cannot restrict access to European operators simply for the purpose of guaranteeing “continuity, financial stability and a proper return on past investments for licence holders”. Moreover, the Italian argumentation failed to show how the renewal or maintenance of the old concessions without a tendering procedure would in any way help to prevent clandestine betting.
According to Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of the EGBA: „The Court’s decision sends a clear signal to Member States currently offering, or planning to offer, licences to European gaming and betting operators. The Court clearly states that the licensing must be undertaken within a set of clear and strict parameters, which are in line with the EC treaty. The Court‘s decision also underlines that these licences cannot be awarded without a transparent, competitive and fair tendering procedure“.
The EGBA considers today’s ECJ ruling marks an important step towards a regulated European gaming and betting market and encourages Italy and other EU Member States to review their legislation.
- ENDS -
For further information or comment please contact:
Sigrid Ligné: +32 (0) 2 256 7527 sigrid.ligne@egba.eu
The EGBA is an association of the leading European gaming and betting operators Bet-at-home.com, bwin, Digibet, Carmen Media Group, Expekt, Interwetten, PartyGaming and Unibet. EGBA is a Brussels-based non-profit making association. It promotes the right of private gaming and betting operators that are based and licenced in one EU Member State to promote their services in the EU.www.egba.eu