E.U. recommendations on Online & Internet gambling

[ian]

The European Commission have issued a set of guidelines and recommendations on how online and Internet gambling and betting services should be presented to the public. Also covered are problem gambling issues & how to prevent minors from signing up.

Guidelines and recommendations are just that, but with gambling Ad's now swamping TV sports coverage, Internet Bingo sponsoring soap operas, and late night British & European channels presenting Roulette as a game of fun with enticing sign-up bonuses EU Commissioners obviously believed they must do something.

There is no mention of operators being licensed and advertising regulated in the member states where their customers reside - the EU doesn't use the words country or countries!. If such measures were required however it would obviously give greater player protection at a national level, but from the EU's standpoint it would also impede their objective of creating free markets for all goods and services, so therefore it'd not a particularly desirable option to pursue.


Below are a selection of links to the E.U. Commission and selected press coverage.

Commission recommends principles to ensure effective protection of consumers in the online gambling services sector
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/...recommendation

Online gambling: Commission recommends principles to ensure effective protection of consumers
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-828_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/...ambling_en.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/...y-of-ia_en.pdf


EC suggests restrictions on online gambling advertising
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/1303529/

Websites should track bets to spot problem gamblers
http://www.euractiv.com/sections/inf...mission-303468

EU countries urged to improve online gambling player protections
http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2...r-protections/


Ian