Euro Online Casino

Michael Barnier took over the portfolio of Internal Market Commissioner in January from Charlie McCreevy, who was criticized during his tenure for not adhering to infringement procedures against member states, with regard to limiting gambling legislations.

Barnier, after he assumed office, emphatically told the European Parliament last week that Bwin/Santa Casa had little bearing on the Commission’s attempt to violate procedures against member states, and vowed to follow non-compliance on a case-to-case basis. Barnier mentioned to parliamentarians that the Santa Casa declaration of September 2009 was based on reflections which were specific to Portugal and its national monopoly operator, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa. Since the verdict does not fundamentally alter the Commission’s approach towards violating procedures, Barnier mentioned that the Commission would go ahead with examining the compliance of national legislation, on a case-to-case basis.

The European Gaming and Betting Association, which signified Europe’s leading regulated online casino gambling operators, expressed their strong support for the Commissioner, and his decisions to engage in a broad discussion with stakeholders. The EGBA welcomed the view of having a Commission Green Paper on gambling, like online casino roulette, a move which would really put to test the interest and the support of the European Parliament and Member States for future EU synchronization in the sector.

With several member states currently improving their gaming and wagering legislation, this is an important confirmation that the Commission will not stand by, while Member states bring in restrictions that work against basic principles of the European Union.