A new study by a think tank based in Switzerland indicates that gambling -- both on the Internet and at casinos --
now acccounts for a growing percentage of the overall European economy. The study by the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law said that gambling today accounts for three percent of the European Union's total gross domestic product (GDP), as "betting services" brought in a total of $8.7 billion in revenues in 2003. The report was released recently to all member state governments. The research was requested by the European Commission in 2004. The researchers looked at the legal and economic aspects of games of chance and gambling in the European Union (EU), and also looks at regulations and the future development of the industry. Online Fastest Growth Online gambling in particular, according to the study, continues to "evolve" as offshore gambling, particularly in Gibraltar, Malta, and the U.K., is now booming. The report indicates that "monopoly restrictions" granted by some European countries are explicitly against the Treaty of Rome and seem to be "focused on financial gains" for public treasuries, i.e., government agencies, at the expense of European consumers. The study also said that there are "inconsistencies" in gambling taxation in member states that distort the market, and which need to be remedied quickly. "Although the findings of this Study which confirm what we have witnessed and suffered in our daily business for years by these restrictions, the European Commission has yet to announce any next steps based on this study," the European Betting Association (EBA) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) said. The RGA and EBA said the new report shows the potential of the European gambling market, but also shows a "fragmented industry" with quite inconsistent regulations. The two groups are now calling on the EU to ensure there is an even playing field for its private operators to compete with state-owned or sponsored organizations and for consumer protection to minimize any negative effects of gambling. EBA and RGA have called upon the European Union to ensure: * That there is "a level playing field" for EU-based private operators to compete alongside state-owned entities or state-sponsored monopolies; * That for all forms of gambling there are "appropriate levels" of consumer protection and measures to minimize any potentially negative effects of gambling. "These goals can be achieved at either Member State or EU level, but there must be a proper debate and not one determined by misinformation or by those with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo," said Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RGA. "Now that it has this study, the European Commission can lead that debate. Both we and the EBA would be more than willing to sit down with the Commission and stakeholders from any Member State with a view to addressing all of the issues of apparent concern." The European Commission has already initiated infringement proceedings to examine these restrictions, said Didier Dewyn, Secretary General of EBA. "Although the findings of this study, which confirm what we have witnessed and suffered in our daily business for years by these restrictions, the European Commission has yet to announce any next steps based on this study," aid Dewyn. © Copyright 2006 Gene Koprowski's material. It may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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