The European online gambling industry was dealt a blow this week after
Members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour to adopt a
controversial report that reflects the industry in a bad light.
The non-binding report, created by Danish Socialist MEP, Christel Schaldemose,
was supported 544 to 36 and essentially goes against the current trend of
calling for a single market and governing legislation for the European online
gambling industry. Instead, the report calls for individual states to form their
own legislation on online gambling.
More worrying, the report reflects European internet gambling in a
very negative light, showing it as a potential tool of money laundering and
other forms of organized crime, as well as a real threat to children and other
vulnerable sectors of the population.
"Online gambling provides increased opportunities for corrupt practices such
as fraud, match-fixing, illegal betting cartels and money laundering, as online
games can be set up and dismantled very rapidly and as a result of the
proliferation of offshore operators," read the report.
It is believed that the report was submitted following the European
Commission's demand for at least ten member countries, including France, Holland
and Germany, to do away with monopolistic gambling markets and instead open
their borders to non-local operators or face legal action by the European Court
of Justice.
"There are powerful vested interests that are opposed to the opening up of
markets in the European Union," said the Chief Executive Officer of the Remote
Gambling Association, Clive Hawkswood. "The adopted resolution is more about the
funding of sports and effectively protecting existing gambling markets rather
than the integrity of online gambling."
The RGA represents several of Europe's top online gambling operators, all of
which follow the strict licensing requirements of their hosting countries and
have a strong commitment to providing their players with a safe and secure
gaming environment at all time.
