Betting on sport in the UK has never been so popular. The proliferation of online betting sites has opened up a vast range of sporting events and markets for punters. Popular amongst UK punters are football, rugby union / league, golf and snooker, along with US sports such as American football and baseball.
European Online Betting Rules and Regulations
Each European state traditionally had its own legislation for online gambling (many still do), but the formation of the European Union (EU) created uncertainty for online punters. The EU has specific legislation guaranteeing free, fair competition between companies of member states, and these rules apply to non-EU companies wishing to trade in the EU. Theoretically, online gambling is completely legal within the EU. However, online betting has been an extremely contentious issue. The EU has had to deal with a host of challenges from companies attempting to operate within other EU states. EU members can enact their own laws to prohibit access to foreign online gambling. There are currently 10 EU members, among them France and Germany, who have introduced restrictive laws to protect their own state monopolies.
France
All forms of online gambling are illegal in France, which is in direct violation of EU free competition directives. France has defended its legal position vigorously, arresting visiting executives of foreign online gambling companies. However, France cannot remain in contravention of EU law indefinitely and change is imminent. In 2008, France announced that it was working on new legislation to safely open up the online gambling market.
Germany
Online gambling is also illegal in Germany. A total ban prohibits all online casino games, sports betting and bingo. The government can order German Internet service providers to block customers` access to gambling sites and prevent banks from doing business with online betting firms. Purportedly to safeguard Germans from the “hazards” of online betting, this legislation conveniently protects the state-controlled gambling monopoly.
Several online betting firms have commenced legal challenges. Online Australian operator, B-win Interactive, has already lost two actions against Germany. However, the European Commission can sue member states to ensure compliance and B-win will continue to appeal, in the belief that the threat of serious sanctions will force Germany to comply with EU online gambling directives.
Responsible Sports Betting
Responsible betting is crucial. A “professional” punter, known to your author, recently lost thousands playing the Euro 2008 betting odds, exhausting his betting bank and a lot more besides.The majority of online layers are committed to promoting responsible wagering as well as encouraging recognition of problem gambling. Many online bookmakers have incorporated tools into their websites to prevent problem gambling. These include limits on daily and / or monthly spending, self-exclusion tools and protection against underage access. Help and advice on responsible sports betting can be found at www.gambleaware.co.uk.
Comments 4
Despite the fact that we are supposed to be within an EU single market, the truth is that there are still many gambling monopolies operating in Europe (France, Finland, Holland, Portugal, Greece).
Governments seem to try to make moves to open their markets up but they mostly find ways to actually maintain their monopolies.
There should be an EU-wide system of regulation that allowed consumers to bet freely within a fairly regulated system.
At http://www.right2bet.net you can sign a petition aimed at further improving the EU online gambling rules.
Posted 20 Nov 2009 at 11:29 am ¶Just an example of the value consumers are losing because of state run monopolies in the betting sector can be checked out @ http://www.right2bet.net/community/blog/2009/12/charity-betting-challenge-mourinho-is-indignant-and-so-are-right2bet.php
Right2bet wants to make sure that consumers obtain the best value for their bets. If you also agree, visit their website and sign the petition that will be presented to EU authorities.
Posted 08 Dec 2009 at 11:42 am ¶Even though we are supposed to be within a single market where all EU consumers should have the right to choose their services provider, the truth is different in several economic sectors, the gambling one, amongst them. Now it is Poland making noise about banning online gambling outright, before it was Sweden staunchly defending its national monopoly… And the list could go on… Taking into account that national governments are mostly interested in their national interests and inflate the state budget, rather than in consumers choices, consumers are gathering and developing initiatives such as Right2bet aimed at guaranteeing the right of consumers to decide which betting operator they want regardless of the country where they are based on. If you also believe in a truly open single European market, go to http://www.right2bet.net and sign the petition that will be presented to the European authorities.
Posted 09 Dec 2009 at 10:26 am ¶Even though EU citizens are supposed to be within a single market where all EU consumers should have the right to choose their services provider, the truth is different in several economic sectors, the gambling one, amongst them.
Posted 14 Dec 2009 at 10:36 am ¶Now Poland is making noise about banning online gambling outright, before it was Sweden staunchly defending its national monopoly… And the list could go on…
Taking into account that national governments are mostly interested in their national interests and inflate the state budget, rather than in consumers choices, consumers are gathering and developing initiatives such as Right2bet aimed at guaranteeing the right of consumers to decide which betting operator they want regardless of the country where they are based on.
If you also believe in a truly open single European market, go to http://www.right2bet.net and sign the petition that will be presented to the European authorities.
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