ECA pitches for stricter action against unlicensed online gambling operators

Prof. Dietmar Hoscher, the vice-chairman of the European Casino Association (ECA), has called for stricter actions from national governments against illegal online gambling operators.

He was delivering the keynote speech at the 12th Conference of the European Association of the Study of Gambling in Malta. He pointed out the need for relevant case law and secondary legislation at EU level. He reported that, according to the available data, though some countries achieved success in stopping illegal gambling, illegal online gambling activities are increasing in many European countries, which shows that the menace is not tackled seriously enough.

The continued provision of unlicensed online gambling services has led to an undermining of consumer protection measures, regulatory efforts at national level and puts tax contributions and funding for good causes at risk. There is also, Hoscher says, a threat of links to organised crime and money laundering in connection with illegal online gambling.

Reacting to these challenges, Hoscher argued in his keynote that: “Policy-makers, regulators and all stakeholders involved need to join forces and stop the provision of illegal online gambling.”

“This requires strengthened enforcement of national gambling legislation through blacklists, IP blocking and payment blocking, as well as cooperation with online platforms and intermediaries. There is clearly a need and willingness to cooperate between regulators, the licensed gambling industry and other stakeholders to effectively tackle the issue.”

Source: InterGameOnline