It is the largest in Europe, the European government is strict with implementing the European gambling regulations. Though European gambling has already succeeded on the industry, it is expected to grow more on the years to come. 20 countries within Western Europe have casinos and 4 other countries offer facilities such as dog racing, horse racing, video poker, and slots. The European Court of Justice provided the guidelines that could be taken into consideration by each state regarding the freedom to give service provisions.
One good example of the said services is the lottery. It is considered to be a service within the implication of Article 60 of the EEC Treaty. The UK could not ban lottery as long as its distinctive nature and restrictions are not biased when it comes to nationality. The court also provided the objectives that they are willing to accept as explanatory restrictions on the Article 59 of the said Treaty. They claimed that all the restrictions are beneficial on part of the public. They prevent crimes and guarantee gamblers that they will be treated accordingly and with all honesty. They also prevent the effects of stimulating demands from gambling providers, which has negative social consequences when taken in excess. The court makes certain that the European gambling regulations will be strictly implemented and that lotteries will never be a source of personal interest and commercial purposes but merely for entertainment, sporting, charitable, and cultural purposes only.
Since the European Commissions are not particular in controlling the gambling industry of Europe, each country has implemented their own rules and regulations with regards to gambling. This in dependency has created a lot of problems within Europe as a whole. Now that the authorities have seen the difficulties occurring in Europe because of the implementation of unique regulations of each country, they began taking action addressing the matter.
The European Court
It obliges legitimate gambling sources to provide the consumers proper treatment and protection, especially for players who are vulnerable and have a high risk of getting into trouble. Also, since social responsibility is not guaranteed, they could be exposed to frauds and might associate themselves in some illegal matters.
There have been forms of gambling in Europe that don’t require any special legal process, licensing procedures, and even registrations. Such includes playing at home, playing at a hotel room, and particular minor gaming that are licensed under the system of liquor licensing laws.
Fennelly, the Advocate General stated that the restrictions with the stipulation of betting companies could be based upon the basis and concerns of public interest. The European gambling regulations now considered gambling as a leisure activity. Each state of Europe has now fully accepted the concept of gambling games including lotteries and slots. And as the technology advances, the regulations adapt to changes as well. In other words, most of the regulations existing from the past decades are no longer accepted and considered.
