European Parliament Resolution on Online Gambling
Online gambling has spread its wings recently. Throughout the European Union you can make use of different services in this sector. Probably, this is because technology is developing swiftly. A further reason is casino operators' ability to run across borders without being constantly in the control of national authorities. However, is really online environment more harmful than land-based services? A question with an elusive answer, definitely. What I know for sure is the existence of a potential threat. This is why the Parliament voted on a Resolution to encourage further cooperation between the States and to ensure EU citizens protection.
The need of a European Parliament Resolution
There has been a high level of innovation in the industry, evidencing its economic significance. Notwithstanding, States encounter many difficulties in regulating the market because of the relentless pursuit of gamblers to create more and more websites, both legal and illegal. So, far there is no restrictions on gambling as long as you are not a minor. However, the illegality within the market should cease to exist.
As a result, the Parliament voted on a new resolution regarding online gambling. The European Parliament has spoken out very clearly that: ” a sectorial online gambling Directive is not desirable as gambling is not an ordinary economic activity. We are pleased that the threat for consumers from illegal gambling offerings is taken seriously”. This is what the European Lotteries President Friedrich Stickler said.
Policy considerations
The European Parliament Resolution was published on behalf of a communication adopted by the European Commission in 2012. It contains more than 50 policy statements on a variety of topics such as consumer protection, compliance with EU laws and money laundering. Some of the key points are as follows:
- each Member State should have the power to determine how to organise gambling services on national level as long as they are compatible with the main principles of the single European Market
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stresses on higher level of protection as far as consumers are concerned
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more responsible advertising in order to reduce exposure amongst minors.
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calls for strong measures to handle money laundering
Recommendations
The European Parliament also wants the Member States to look at the issue seriously. What they want is bringing in of new enforcement measures. By doing so illegal gambling will disappear and this will promote consumer protection. The report by Ashley Fox acknowledges that gambling as an activity of a different nature and hence it must go hand in hand with strong consumer protection and improved cooperation between Member States.
Another interesting recommendation is the introduction of uniform common systems for electronic identification. These will be used to prevent minors from obtaining access to online gambling websites and prevent multiple accounts per player. In order to make the website more reliable, MEPs invite member states to push operators to carry a visible trust mark or a logo of the regulatory authority.
Conclusion
The adoption of the resolution came in an era with many infringement cases for non-compliance with EU laws. Thus, this vote represents a positive attitude towards online gambling. Online gambling differs from other service sectors on the grounds of societal risk involved. Member States should re-regulate their national online gambling market. They should also try to find an efficient common approach to promote the European standards for consumer protection and operators.
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