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EUROMAT represents the gaming and amusement industry to increase the overall competitiveness of the sector through engagement in policy and regulation formation at EU level.

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EUROMAT publishes its Statement on Responsible Gambling which outlines the industry's position on player protection.

EUROMAT Statement on Responsible Gambling

EUROMAT launches a book on "The Future of Gaming and Amusement in Europe" in the European Parliament on 28 November 2006

Click here for a copy of the book
Press release available here

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MAY 2009
 

On 26 May 2009, the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions (PETI) accepted a petition from Stanleybet against the Greek authorities and their protectionist stance in favour of the state gambling monopoly, OPAP. This petition was submitted on 28 January 2009, claiming that the legal proceedings faced by Stanleybet and the closure of its retail outlets "deprive its intermediaries from their current and future livelihoods as well as their personal freedom", violate both the EU Treaty and European Court of Justice case law. The PETI Committee will investigate Stanleybet's petition and has asked the European Commission to conduct an investigation of the circumstances behind the complaint.


This month, the Belgian land-based gambling industry faces the prospects of legal amendments to the relevant gambling laws. On 18 May, the Belgian authorities sent details of potential rules on mandatory player identification technology for all new bingo-type gaming machines operated by Class III gaming establishments (locally-licensed bars and restaurants). Although current laws state that players in Class III gaming establishments must be 18 or over, the proposed changes would require players to verify their age with their national identity cards before they would be able to use the machines. These new rules, intended to prevent underage gambling and to improve player protection policies, will be introduced on 1 January 2010, if approved by the European Commission and the EU Member States by the end of the standstill period on 19 August 2009.


The European Commission has been drawn into the situation between the Dutch government and UK-based online betting firm, Betfair, regarding attempts to introduce a payments ban on online gambling transactions in the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Justice recently sent a letter to national banks urging them to not process payments from customers wishing to place a bet on any legal gaming websites. Betfair made a formal complaint to the European Commission and has begun legal actions against the Dutch government, declaring the actions to be illegal and desperate. EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy, threatened to use this opportunity to bring the Dutch government before the European Court of Justice. He said: "We announced last year that at least 10 member states were in contravention of internal market rules on gambling. While many members have engaged, the Dutch have completely failed to. There has been no progress at all".

 
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