Online Casino Transfer: News - Legislation Games in Belgium

07/16/2010		Online Casino Style: News Legislation Games in Belgium
Home History Games News Dictionary		The latest law to come under hail from the online gambling community seems to be that out of Belgium, with two of the most widely recognized brands in the European internet casino world coming together to challenge the legislation. According to reports this week, the newly revised Belgian law does not adequately comply with the freedom of trade laws set out by the European Union, of which Belgium is a member. To combat the developments before the paint is dry, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have teamed up, hoping that their mutual strengths will be enough to sway lawmakers. They have already filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, claiming that the new laws voted on by Belgian lawmakers does not comply with EU law, as it is specifically designed to protect domestic internet casinos from the commercial threats presented by offshore online gambling competitors. It has been written to protect domestic company, and specifically designed to place offshore and other EU companies at an unfair advantage. Online operators are required, by the new law, to duplicate their systems, and placing hubs on Belgian soil, running off of local servers. They give apparently no credence to the protective regulations already in place for licensed companies, requiring them to domesticate themselves to be eligible for a gambling license. In addition, there is a protective measure in place for the very few land-based casinos, ensuring that they are not put completely out of business by the more convenient and cost-effective internet gambling sites. The RGA and EGBA claim that in the end, the restriction will hurt consumers, limiting their choice, and completely circumventing the EU laws in relation to the free trade of goods and services. “There is absolutely no doubt that these measures are driven by protectionism rather than genuine concern for consumers,” said Clive Hawkswood, the chief executive officer for the RGA. “We hope that the Commission will be consistent with its previous stance on the Belgian laws and will fulfil its duty as guardian of European Union law by taking early action to remedy this abuse.”

07/16/2010

Online Casino Style: News
Legislation Games in Belgium

The latest law to come under hail from the online gambling community seems to be that out of Belgium, with two of the most widely recognized brands in the European internet casino world coming together to challenge the legislation. According to reports this week, the newly revised Belgian law does not adequately comply with the freedom of trade laws set out by the European Union, of which Belgium is a member.

To combat the developments before the paint is dry, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have teamed up, hoping that their mutual strengths will be enough to sway lawmakers. They have already filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, claiming that the new laws voted on by Belgian lawmakers does not comply with EU law, as it is specifically designed to protect domestic internet casinos from the commercial threats presented by offshore online gambling competitors.

It has been written to protect domestic company, and specifically designed to place offshore and other EU companies at an unfair advantage. Online operators are required, by the new law, to duplicate their systems, and placing hubs on Belgian soil, running off of local servers. They give apparently no credence to the protective regulations already in place for licensed companies, requiring them to domesticate themselves to be eligible for a gambling license.

In addition, there is a protective measure in place for the very few land-based casinos, ensuring that they are not put completely out of business by the more convenient and cost-effective internet gambling sites. The RGA and EGBA claim that in the end, the restriction will hurt consumers, limiting their choice, and completely circumventing the EU laws in relation to the free trade of goods and services. “There is absolutely no doubt that these measures are driven by protectionism rather than genuine concern for consumers,” said Clive Hawkswood, the chief executive officer for the RGA. “We hope that the Commission will be consistent with its previous stance on the Belgian laws and will fulfil its duty as guardian of European Union law by taking early action to remedy this abuse.”