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Relicensing Online Casinos an Issue?

The European Commission is closely watching developments in the Estonian government as Estonian officials consider launching new legislation that would require EU online casino gambling companies to also hold an Estonian gambling license. The question comes down to EU policies concerning the free movement of trade and services between EU member-states. Although Estonia’s gambling policies are currently inclusive and conform to EU laws, requiring additional licensing from the foreign online casinos could prove illegal.

The Commission is the enforcement arm of the EU and Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has been investigating several EU member states that currently operate state-run online casino gambling monopolies. And although eliminating the monopolies is at the forefront of concerns, the new proposals for Estonian licensing are drawing the attention of EU licensed online casinos. According to the EU policies, if an internet gambling site holds a license in one valid EU country, that license should hold for the other countries as well.

In addition to attention from the European media, online casinos, and the Commission, the European Gaming and Betting Association, has expressed some concerns. All of the debate and speculation though could be for naught according to Estonian officials who continue to claim that the Estonian government has made no attempts to alter the current online gambling legislation.

The online casino gambling issue has become a sticky subject all over Europe because of the ongoing controversy concerning the state monopolies. And although the Estonian Ministry of Finance contends that the nation is not attempting regulate and force internet gambling sites to re-license, there is a new gambling bill up for consideration, and until the state government has fully disclosed the proposed changes many internet gambling companies and interest groups will continue to speculate.