Operators urge Commission to maintain pressure 27/06/2007

Jake Pollard

Unibet and Ladbrokes responded positively to the reasoned opinions the European Commission sent France, Sweden and Greece yesterday.

Petter Nylander, chief executive of Unibet, welcomed the commission’s final warning against Sweden and France, which underlined “the need for a modern and responsible attitude towards Swedish” and European gambling. “We see today’s final warning from the Commission as an important step towards a new, modern gambling market. Now the Swedish government have to speed up the process. As one of Sweden’s largest private gambling operators we look forward to contributing towards a new, consistent and responsible regulation of the Swedish gambling market,” Nylander said.

UK bookmaker Ladbrokes called on the Commission to continue pushing for open competition in Europe. John O’Reilly, managing director of Ladbrokes egaming, said: “The EU Commission is showing strong resolve on this issue and we urge them to continue to enforce the EU Treaty. It is quite wrong that Ladbrokes must compete against the French monopoly-run Euro Millions lottery in the UK, when we are banned from operating betting and gaming services in France.”      

Ladbrokes has made a number of complaints to the European Commission arguing for operators licensed in another EU member state to be allowed to compete fairly with state monopolies. O’Reilly added: “Efficient regulation and licensing can ensure social protection and value to the customer – betting is no different to other sectors that the EU has successfully opened up to cross-border competition.”    

The Commission requested France and Sweden amend their laws “following consideration of their replies to letters of formal notice sent in April and October 2006”. Not satisfied with the reasons given by those countries for maintaining their gambling monopolies, the Commission has issued them with “reasoned opinions”, if France and Sweden do not provide a satisfactory reply to the Commission’s demands within the next two months, the matter could be referred to the European Court of Justice.

The Commission’s statement says the restrictions placed on sports-betting operators are not compatible with Article 49 of the EC Treaty, guaranteeing the free movement of services and “have not been shown to be necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory”. With regards to Greece, the Commission will decide whether the country’s legislation is compatible with article 49 of the EC Treaty.  

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Posted: 27/06/2007