Poll results: EC action needed for Belgium change say eGR readers
Close to two thirds of those polled believe Europe must intervene if Member State is to amend regulation.
The majority of eGaming Review readers believe it will take intervention from the European Commission in order for Belgium to change its controversial egaming laws.
Following last week’s open letter from senior figures from 12 of the industry’s leading operators, 65% of eGR readers side with those arguing there is nothing more likely to bring about change than firm action from the EC.
This dwarfs the 6% who felt major operators withdrawing their support for the regime would be sufficient to bring about a change. Perhaps it is telling that, while PokerStars and Unibet are among a handful of operators to have secured dot.be licences, the majority of operators licensed in other dot.country jurisdictions have shown no interest in applying for accreditation in Belgium.
It is arguably with this sentiment in mind that 24% of those polled believe nothing can be done to bring about changes to the controversial current regime, which has met opposition for its ruling that requires online licensees to first develop a land-based presence within the country’s borders.
Pressure has emerged from lobby groups including the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), however RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood has suggested “One of the frustrations is there is a limit on what we can do, which is centred around getting the EC to take meaningful action”. Consistent with this concern, just under 6% feel that further pressure from lobby groups will be sufficient in spurring the Belgian Gaming Commission to change its approach.
With the chief executives of bwin.party, bet365 and many more calling on the EC to take action, it now remains to be seen whether or not the Commission takes the lead and does what the bulk of eGR readers consider the best possible option going forward.