Taking Down the Online Casinos Monopolies
The European Commission has announced that it will now fully investigate the
gambling situation in both Holland and Greece and will then determine if further
action is needed to end state online casino gambling monopolies. European
Commission Charlie McCreevy has been coming down hard on the ten EU member
states that are currently blocking out of state gambling operators from
accessing in-state online casinos gamblers and bettors. McCreevy announced last
week that he was considering issue a final notice to both Holland and Greece to
cease the discriminatory practices, and it seems that the Commission has come to
the conclusion that they have given the violating nations enough time to comply
at this point it just might be necessary to take the issue to the European
Court of Justice.
The Commission has its hands full since none of the ten nations that are in
non-compliance seem compelled to end the monopolies. In fact, for the most part,
Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and the others will continue to
operate monopolies because the monopolistic laws that are currently in place in
each country are protecting a source of government revenue.
The Commission will now investigate precisely the depth to which Holland and
Greece are violating EU trade principles before recommending the case to the
European Court of Justice. The trade associations are applauding the Commission
for taking a firm stance and appropriately upholding EU policies. The Chief
Executive of the Remote Gaming Association, Clive Hawkswood, noted that In the
face of sometimes very strong opposition, it does the Commission great credit
that it continues to fulfill its role as guardian of the Treaty in such a robust
and objective way.
Though it could take years for these cases to find resolution, the Commission
has taken the initial steps toward rectifying the situation. |