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Press Releases - March 2007
Online Gaming and Betting Operators Expand Trade Association
27/03/2007: Today, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has been launched in Brussels. The organization replaces the European Betting Association building on the strong foundations laid since EBA’s launch in 2003. EBA has been acknowledged by authorities throughout Europe as a strong voice bringing to the forefront national and European debates regarding the rights of regulated European-licensed operators to offer cross-border services.
EBA welcomes new step by the European Commission towards recognition and licensing of European established private betting and gaming operators.
21/03/2007: Today, the European Commission issued Reasoned Opinions against three Member States (Denmark, Finland, and Hungary) and has decided to extend its investigation in the legislation of Germany and of The Netherlands. These cases are the next step to the Letters of Formal Notice issued on 4th April 2006 against seven Member States (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and Sweden) for restrictions in their legislation in the provision of sports betting services in contradiction to Article 49 of the EU Treaty (freedom to provide services) and European Court of Justice (ECJ) case law that fundamentally establishes sports betting as a cross-border service.
European Court of Justice ruling welcomed by EBA. Will Member States finally take heed?
06/03/2007: Today, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its final ruling on Placanica (Case C-338/04) which puts a further nail in the coffin of the state-monopoly model in the gambling sector. This is a landmark decision building further on the jurisprudence of the ECJ in Gambelli (C-243/01) and one which the European Betting Association (EBA) hopes has the potential to act as a guide to those EU Member States and National Authorities which must adapt their national legislation and regulatory models so as to become compliant with the EU Treaty of Rome. As a consequence of this ruling, EBA calls upon various Member States to abolish their gambling monopoly models and to allow open and fair competition from licensed and regulated European-licensed operators. Furthermore, all attempts at intimidation and criminalisation of these businesses and their executives and local suppliers are to cease immediately, while practical solutions which are compatible with European law are sought.
EGBA launches new website to boost online presence
05/03/2007: The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), the trade association for the online gaming industry, has today launched a new website and a new destination for informative and insightful information into the regulatory issues affecting the online gaming and betting industry across Europe.
