The European Gaming and Betting Association has delved into more detail as to why heightened EU policy would be of a major benefit to online gamblers across the continent.
Initially authored via Politico.eu, Maarten Haijer, secretary general of the EGBA, has outlined five key reasons as to why more work need to be done to build toward a safer, cross-border digital gambling environment.
The first highlighted comes due to the increasingly popular and inherently cross-border nature of online gambling, with it stressed that it’s essential to ensure citizens are only using sites licensed and full covered by consumer protection rules.
Furthermore, the need to correct “policy inconsistencies” as a result of a patchwork of national rules was also pointed out, with different sets said to be working in isolation to each other “leading to policy fragmentation and divergence”.
Haijer also went on to address perceived inadequate consumer protection standards and a lack of formal framework to encourage regulatory cooperation between countries, as well as stressing that “EU rules are not being enforced within the sector”.
Talking through the need to unite European online gambling and increase consumer protection, Haijer stated: “As the new EU term begins, much attention has already been given to the importance of making Europe’s digital economy work better for European consumers.
“Ensuring the EU single market embraces the digital reality and is less impeded by national barriers is a major challenge, but one that EU policymakers must grapple with to prevent Europe’s economy being left behind by global digital transformation.
“And while much progress has already been made in terms of the EU digital single market rules, it is vital to ensure these rules harmoniously intersect to safeguard the rights of consumers and promote the interests of online businesses.
“Because today the online economy goes far beyond music streaming, or buying a book online, and includes almost anything you could imagine — including placing a bet on the outcome of your favourite football team’s next match. EU regulation needs to keep up.”
