Internet Casino Operators Refute EU Opinions in Portugal Case
The European Court of Justice made several surprising assertions in its decision that the Portuguese online casino monopoly may be legal by EU standards. In finding that the Portuguese state control of Internet gambling may be justified as a method to protect consumers, the court said that online gambling is more susceptible to fraud and match-fixing than land-based gaming."There is absolutely no proof to support these kinds of assertions which, in the latter instance, denigrate both sports and the wider gambling industry,” said Remote Gaming Association CEO Clive Hawkswood.
Online gaming companies as well as representatives of the Internet casino industry reacted strongly to the surprising statements in the court's ruling. Licensed online gambling operator bwin released a statement saying the consumer protection and fraud prevention programs it runs illustrate why open and regulated Internet gambling is best for the states.
“Several jurisdictions in the EU already prove that it is possible to guarantee a high level of consumer protection and have a well regulated and competitive online gaming market at the same time,” stated the Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association, noting that consumer needs can be met under free trade conditions.
Hawkswood pointed out that, despite the careless and inflammatory comments by the court, the ruling itself was i line with past court policies and shouldn't affect existing decisions.
“The narrow scope of this ruling reduces its significance in the overall legal context as it is not a departure from previous rulings," says Hawkswood. "Thus, nothing in it should stop the European Commission from pursuing ongoing infringement proceedings against the clearly unlawful gambling regulations in multiple jurisdictions."
