The European Union (EU) has announced the setting up of a group of experts composed of representatives of member states responsible for regulating gaming services. The aim of this group is to improve cooperation between member states and the European Commission on matters relating to gaming services. This shall be done simultaneously to the exchange of experience and good practice in the area of gaming services.
The group of experts shall be further advising and assisting the Commission in the preparation and implementation of policy initiatives relating to gaming.
It is expected that in the course of its operation, the group of experts will also be monitoring the development of policies and emerging issues in the area of gaming services. This will ensure that the member states of the European Union are well-equipped to address the trends of the industry.
It is estimated that online gaming services have generated over €9.3 billion in revenue in 2011, with an annual revenue of €13 billion estimated for 2015.
The need for the setting up of the group of experts on gaming services stems from the fact that legislation regulating gaming services is not harmonised across all EU member states. As a result member states are regulating gaming in a different manner. Malta, with the Malta remote gaming licence, allows member states to operate across the EU. In fact, Malta has to date insisted that under the Treaty of Rome, operators in member states are entitled to exercise their rights to freedom of movement of capital and services in the EU.
Of a similar stand is the Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC), which includes all stakeholders in the remote gaming industry including service-providers and operators. Citing the European Court of Justice jurisprudence, the MRGC has spoken strongly against monopolisation by member states insisting that member states must ensure that all restrictive measures must be proportionate and necessary.
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