European Union Can't Find Online Casino Standards

Although the purpose ostensibly was to protect the integrity of the online casino industry, the EU discussion became a politicized battleground.

The legislative branch of the EU government, the European Parliament, met this week to review issues regarding online gambling. Although the purpose ostensibly was to protect the integrity of the online casino industry, the EU discussion became a politicized battleground.

Some ten member nations are already operating under findings by the common government that they have violated rules for free trade in services within the Union. Others carry an agenda that includes protecting state monopolies.

The end result is that the EP voted to allow regulation of Internet gambling to be controlled at the national level, rather than institute one overriding system.

The Remote Gaming Association is highly upset by the decision. The group that represents the European Internet gambling industry expected that online casinos would be regulated like all commerce, in line with rulings by the European Court of Justice.

The legislature did agree in principle to set universal standards for age verification, advertising standards, and prevention of money laundering.