Transcript Gambling services in the Internal Market Introduction

Green paper
on on-line gambling in the
Internal Market
Gaming Board for Sweden – 24 November 2011
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Setting the scene
• Rapid development of the market and of licit / unauthorised
on-line offers
• Co-existence of two models of regulatory framework under
threat – problems illustrated by referrals to CJEU and its
case law
– licensed operators within a strictly regulated framework
– a strictly controlled monopoly (state owned or otherwise)
• Other challenges
– 15.000 active gambling sites in Europe - 85% without a licence
– Consumer seeking cross-border offers
– Enforcement of national rules
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The Green paper consultation
• Green paper consultation
– to have a full picture of the existing situation
– to take stock of the regulatory means and practices in place
– to determine if or how the differing regulatory models can
continue to coexist
– if specific action may be needed in the EU for that purpose
• Green paper responds to
– a series of Presidency conclusions (2008-2010) and Council
conclusions (2010)
– the EP resolution on integrity in on-line gambling (2009)
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The Green paper consultation
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The Green paper consultation
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Around 250 responses to the consultation
– public authorities from almost all Member States
– gambling operators (public and commercial) and related
intermediary services
– addiction research and treatment centres
– beneficiaries of gambling revenues (primarily sports)
– academics and individuals
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General support for an initiative at EU level
– positions vary on scope and tools
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Responses published on our website:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2011/online_gambling_en.htm
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Workshops
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Complementing the Green paper consultation
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Cover a number of important issues identified in the
Green paper
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Sports integrity
Problem gambling and gambling addiction
Systems of revenue distribution
Public order
Enforcement
Conclusions published on our website:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/services/gambling-workshops_en.htm
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Response of the European Parliament
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Report on on-line gambling in the Internal Market of 15 November 2011
– stresses the importance of subsidiarity in the regulation of the gambling sector
– recognises added value of a European approach in a number of areas
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The report calls on the Commission inter alia to
– coordinate cooperation between national regulatory bodies
– explore all possible tools with regard to protecting vulnerable consumers,
preventing addiction and combating illegal operators
– intensify the work on the prevention of gambling addiction
– preserve the integrity of sports and the funding of grassroots sport
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The report furthermore asks for
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common standards for consumer protection
common advertising standards
common definition of sport fraud as a criminal offence
better collaboration in the fight against match-fixing
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Next steps
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Commission work programme 2012 announces Communication
on on-line gambling in the Internal Market.
– substantial evaluation of the responses to the consultation
– identifying (1) key challenges for the co-existence of national
regulatory models within the Internal Market and (2) initiatives to be
taken at national and EU level.
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Commissioner Barnier in his address to Parliament on 14
November outlined a number of issues for potential EU initiatives
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Administrative cooperation
Minimum level of consumer protection
Fight against fraud and money laundering
Prevention of problem gambling and gambling addiction
Integrity of sports
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Thank you for your attention!
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