EU Commissioner to Clarify Online Gambling Rules

When it comes to unclear laws regarding online gambling, most of those in the online gambling world will immediately think of the United States, and the somewhat unclear UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) that has kept both the layman, and lawmakers equally confused.

However, the recent news coming out of Europe is certainly showing the world that there are some serious issues regarding online gambling laws and policies throughout the European Union.

A number of the EU member nations have not only disregarded the rulings of the EU, but they have boldly and blatantly passed laws within their own countries which are in opposition to the rules and guidelines as are set out by the EU.

There is a new Internal Markets Commissioner, and the time has now come for the European Union Commissioner to take control, and to carefully clarify the existing laws. The Internal Markets Commissioner, Michel Barnier has plans to produce a green paper regarding the European Union’s position on online gambling, in order to attempt to settle disputes that have arisen thus far.

In order to explain the positions that are held by the EU, the green paper is already in the process of being drafted. It will address the many issues that have already arisen in this regard. EU members will be consulted during the writing of the paper. Once the paper has been completed, the College of Commissioners will need to approve and ratify the document. Should the document be ratified by the College of Commissioners, it is still only likely to be implemented by the fall.

The online casino world wants to be guaranteed free trade throughout the European Union, with regard to online gambling. While Malta, a large jurisdiction that registers online gambling operators, would like the European free trade to be finalized, their interests lie more towards clarification of the existing laws.

A Malta representative from the Internet gambling sector said, "Malta is all for more clarification of the rules but these should not be used to introduce restrictive practices.”

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