EGBA Issues Online Gambling Five Point Manifesto for EU

The European Union has many issues to contend with the biggest one being the economy. Online gambling is a part of the economy that continues to provide revenue for governments in Europe and is therefore an important issue for the European Commission to address. Progress on the harmonization of rules and regulations has been slow but it is moving in the right direction with the help of organizations such as the European Betting and Gaming Association.

At this stage the Association has issued a manifesto that sets out the 5 policy recommendations that EGBA believes are the basis for an effective EU framework that can enable responsible and successful development of the online gambling market. The five key recommendations are: 1.The European Commission to fulfil its role as Guardian of the Treaty. 2. Structured regulatory cooperation among national authorities. 3. An EU legal framework for online gambling. 4. Problem gambling prevention measures based on evidence. 5. EU action to fight sport fraud.

Greater coordination between Member States is called for as an immediate priority. The cross-border nature of the market is clear as are the risks of inaction that will drive consumers into the black market without proper European consumer protection and less money for European exchequers. The fragmentation of the entire European e-commerce sector has a cost and the EU is wasting economic opportunities. The completion and deepening of the digital single market would potentially produce around 4% GDP growth over the next 10 years and easier cross-border e-commerce alone could bring savings of €2.5 billion.

The statement from the organization goes on to say the fragmentation of the market exposes consumers to a wide range of risks and potential abuse. Harmonisation of consumer protection rules and the creation of an attractive legal offer across all Member States is therefore the only practical way forward.