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September 18, 2007
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has released a press release in which it claims EU states will face tougher European Commission scrutiny regards betting license procedures. The EGBA is applauding a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling concerning horse racing betting licences in Italy in which the ECJ said: "...the Italian Republic failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 43 (freedom of establishment) and 49 (freedom to provide services) of the EC Treaty". The ECJ says Italian authorities must not restrict access to Italy’s markets by European operators for the purpose of making sure of "continuity, financial stability and a proper return on past investments for licence holders". The latest ECJ appraisal of Italy’s gaming and betting industry will come as welcome news to online bingo operators and EU-based online bingo halls outside of Italy. While Italy has been at the forefront recently in liberalizing its online gaming and betting industry, this latest ECJ ruling shows there is still some way to go in securing a fully transparent market in which bingo online can operate. The Secretary General of the EGBA, Sigrid Ligné commented: "The Court's decision sends a clear signal to [EU] Member States currently offering, or planning to offer, licences to European gaming and betting operators. "The Court clearly states that the licensing must be undertaken within a set of clear and strict parameters, which are in line with the EC treaty. The Court's decision also underlines that these licences cannot be awarded without a transparent, competitive and fair tendering procedure". The ECJ’s ruling is yet another step towards a well regulated European gaming and betting market. While some EU states continue to protect their markets from free online bingo operators without their borders, the ruling is a clear signal the ECJ sees otherwise. Written by John Witherspoon - Play online bingo and read our online bingo blog. Make sure to check the best bingo games online.
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