Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

The European Commission said on Monday that it was prepared to target more members states deemed to be stifling free competition in the sports gambling sector. The move came after the arrest in France last week of two heads of the Bwin internet gambling group over alleged contravention of French gambling monopolies. The Austro-German gambling group announced on Saturday that it would sue the French state for human rights restrictions and not respecting European law. "We will perhaps add to the number of countries involved in infringement procedures," during a meeting of the European Commission on October 18 dedicated to the topic, said the EU's executive arm's internal markets spokesperson Oliver Drewes.

Practices examined

In April, the commission named seven member states whose practices it was examining in the sports gambling sector; Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.

EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy wants to ensure that laws in member states banning gambling services are "necessary and not discriminatory".

McCreevy has said that he is not seeking the unfettered liberalisation of the market but "to be assured that the measures put in place by the member states are fully compatible with community law", on the freedom of services.

Since April the commission, which is also the EU's top competition regulator, has received several fresh complaints, some 50 in total plus 50 more potential cases, according to Drewes.