The European Commission has launched formal infringement proceedings against Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and Romania for protectionist legislation deemed in violation of European Union guarantees of free trade in goods and services.
Each of the governments has been sent a formal letter of notice of the commission’s intent to investigate their gambling legislation for unjustifiable restrictions designed to keep out competition from operators in other Member States. Member States are able to set their own policies in terms of online gambling and may restrict or limit cross-border supply, but only to safeguard public interest, protect consumers and prevent fraud and other crimes.
The proceedings mark the first time in more than five years that the commission has launched infringement proceedings related to gambling, and will include investigations into licensing procedures, the conditions governing the provision of gambling services, transparency, coherence of national policy and equal treatment of service providers.
States usually are given two months to respond. The commission then submits either a “reasoned opinion” reflecting its assessment of the responses or votes to pursue litigation in the European Court of Justice.
