Recently a few European countries came under fire from the European Commission (EC) and the European Gambling and Betting association (EGBA) for drafting online gambling legislation that was discriminatory and therefore unacceptable. The most talked about example is that of France. Last week, however, two European countries have released online gambling legislation that fits the bill.
In fact in Estonia the legislature has passed the regulations, which have become the Estonia Gambling Act. These are expected to come into force in January 2010. The Estonian law allows foreign online gambling operators licensed in other European Union jurisdictions to function in Estonia. However these operators will have to meet one of two requirements. The first option is that they have to obtain a license from Estonia, which could be an expensive proposition since the operators are already incurring the license fee of another jurisdiction. The other option is that they will have to be sub contractors of licensed state operators. The usual checks and balances have been incorporated into the regulations. These include background checks on the credentials of the operator, such as proper incorporation and capitalization. Adequate measures to prevent underage gambling and ensure responsible gambling must be in place. An important condition is that the servers of online gambling operators servicing the Estonian market must be on Estonian soil and open to inspection by designated regulators or independent auditors. Online casino operators functioning without a license will be illegal. Internet service providers will have to block access to such sites when notified. The transfer of funds to such sites will also be illegal.
Denmark was one of the countries that had faced flak from the EC for its protectionist online gambling policy. In 2007 the EC had ruled that Denmark was limiting online gambling to the state owned monopoly, Dansk Spil. It was not allowing fair competition from other online gambling operators. This went against the European Union policy of a single market. Now Denmark has changed all that. Its proposed regulations permit online gambling operators to compete with Dansk Spil in areas of online poker, sports betting and casino gambling. One of the strongest supporters of the draft legislation has been Ladbrokes. In fact Ladbrokes has confirmed that it would seek a license in Denmark once the proposed legislation was converted into actual law. Lasse Dilschmann, head of Ladbrokes Scandinavia, pointed out the contrasting attitude of online gambling in Denmark and Sweden. He said, “While the Swedish Government has chosen to put forth arguments for a gambling market inconsistent with the demands of consumers, Denmark now chooses another way.” Before the draft proposal is discussed by the legislators in Denmark it needs official approval by the EC. However, that is expected to come easily.
Europe is on the move on online casino gambling! Being under fire for a long time by the European Commission and the Gambling and Betting Association for Europe (EGBA) a few countries were fined for having gambling laws that were unacceptable and discriminatory towards other European members states.
But there is a change upcoming with Estonia and Danmark launching there own gambling Act. In effect of January 2010 Estonia allows foreign operators to exploite their online casino sites in the country, if they meet the requirements. The first requirement is that the online casino has to apply for an Estonian license, or the second option they become sub licensees of excisting Estonian gambling operators. Before a license or sub-license will be granted the Estonian gaming authority will do a thorough check on the casino operators history and their company policy on dealing with player security, financial transactions and general banking issues. Goes without saying that underage gambling and responsible gaming should be respected at any time without any exceptions. The online casino operator must host their services in Estonia as well which again will be inspected by indepenent auditors. If the requirements are not met then the online casino will be considered illegal and the isp providers will have to block their IP’s.
Besides The Netherlands and Italy, Denmark was also not following EC regulations and was therefore warned by the EC for creating a monopoly position for state owned casinos exploited by Dansk Spil. As the EC has ‘forced’ al members to have open markets within EU legislation Denmark was forced to open their market too.
Ladbrokes the ‘invisible’ force behind the new drafts for European gambling laws has applied for a license in Denmark to force their government to open their borders. Lasse Dilschmann, head of Ladbrokes Scandinavia, pointed out the contrasting attitude of online gambling in Denmark and Sweden. He said, “While the Swedish Government has chosen to put forth arguments for a gambling market inconsistent with the demands of consumers, Denmark now chooses another way.” Before the draft proposal is discussed by the legislators in Denmark it needs official approval by the EC. However, that is expected to come easily.
Online casino gamling in Europe is becoming more popular with these new laws and the US could learn from the Europeans.
Stay cool and lucky 
Tags: casino news, gambling law
