Operators welcome EC consumer protection measures
Major associations applaud recommendations designed to improve consumer protection standards within EU-wide egaming sector
New measures designed to raise consumer protection standards in the online gambling industry across Europe have been welcomed by operators.
The recommendations published today follow the publication of the EC’s Action Plan for online gambling in 2012 and primarily aim to ensuring that egaming “remains a source of entertainment” and that minors are prevented from gambling.
They include several on the topic of event sponsorship by operators, including that no sponsorship aimed at minors should be permitted, as well as recommendations around self-exclusion, player identification, marketing and customer support.
Today’s guidelines for European Member States also acknowledge, however, the importance of an attractive regulated offer to prevent players frequenting unregulated sites in search of better value.
The European Gaming and Betting Association said it “fully endorses” the European Commission’s recommendations. “European consumers deserve to be equally well protected throughout the EU, wherever they reside,” Maarten Haijer, secretary general of EGBA, said.
“We are very pleased that the European Commission is taking the lead in implementing an EU policy for online gambling, which is evidently necessary for this cross-border internet sector. We encourage the Commission to fully implement its action plan and address the fragmentation of the EU market with similar actions and legislative initiatives.”
The EC’s recommendations are not legally binding, however member states are being encouraged to implement changes where necessary and will review progress in 24 months’ time.
A spokesperson for the UK Gambling Commission said the recommendations “appear broadly consistent with current practice in the UK”.
The Remote Gambling Association also supported the news measures but raised concerns that they should be applied to all forms of gambling and not only online.
“Despite our reservations about a very small number of the recommendations, we are fully supportive of the thrust of the Commission’s work and the reasonable and proportionate approach it has adopted towards consumer protection,” Clive Hawkswood, RGA chief executive, said.
“These recommendations are a small step in the right direction which we hope will spur a further opening of the market across the EU. However any changes flowing from them will of course be at the discretion of Member States and therefore we are still a very long way from achieving anything that looks like a real internal market for gambling services.”