The European Union is having trouble getting member nations to follow a strict free trade policy when it comes to online gambling. When the nations formed the Union, basic policy was to allow free trade without restrictions across shared borders.But Internet casinos have become a sticking point. Some countries have state-owned monopolies, and resist incursions by privately owned gaming sites.
The European Commission has called for countries attempting to restrict market access to desist and allow online casinos to operate, but the issue is regarded as delicate, and no severe penalties have been levied as of yet.
Now comes a pronouncement at the European Court of Justice by Advocate General Yves Bot that online gambling bans may be legal within the Union, under certain circumstances.
Bot indicated that blocking Internet casinos could be acceptable provided that, among other things, the policy was set to protect consumers and the general public interest. He did go on to say national monopolies cannot be protected by a ban, unless the monopoly is run only as protection, not a revenue-producing resource.
State monopolies on gambling have not previously involved Internet gaming, and the precedent set will weigh heavily, not only on European online casinos, but in cases like the protectionist case the Union is pursuing against the United States.
Published on October 15, 2008 by MattMiller
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[Source: US Casinos in the News]
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