In what could be seen as yet another indicator towards liberalization of gambling restrictions in Europe, the Italian government has declared that it would auction off 17,000 licenses for betting shops, kiosks, and also for online casinos.
Analysts say that this could well be in preparation for January 1st, where everyone can legally play online poker.
Now, many large U.K. operators would take advantage of this new European law. Some of them include Gala Coral, which has already started operations for a betting shop in Genoa, William Hill and Ladbrokes in Spain, which recently has completed a deal with Italian firm. This is mainly because of the increased access to gaming through technology
Meanwhile, countries like Spain and Belgium have also started to reconsider their decision, (gambling to some extent is acceptable), towards regulating the sector. On the other hand, the European Commission is ensuring that amendments of Gambling Acts across the Europe would certainly comply with rulings of the EU.
According to a judgment by the EU’s Apex Court, “member states may place curbs on private gambling operators, but these must be non-discriminatory, proportionate, and consistent.” This would pose like a challenge to the countries like Germany, France, and Poland to rationalize the existing laws is not just to protect state-owned gambling and lottery monopolies.
European Union’s Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, has brought some infringement proceedings against some countries for restrictions on betting markets.
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