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EU takes issue with Greek, Dutch gaming monopolies
The European Commission, which is the executive branch of the EU, has decided to pursue infringement proceedings against the Netherlands and Greece and to formally request them to remove gaming restrictions which were found inconsistent with EU law, according to a story with the European Gaming & Betting Association.
It is a move that is already being applauded by the EGBA.
"Totay's reasoned opinions send a clear signal that national gaming legislation, which does not serve any genuine consumer protection or public order interest, has no futures," said Sigrid Ligné, secretary general of the EGBA. "Leading European online operators are now calling on Greece and the Netherlands to implement sustainable reforms that will guarantee a fair, open and regulated market access."
Earlier this year the Dutch government announced plans to issue a three-year exclusive online gaming license to state operator Holland Casino and to force financial institutions to refuse payment transactions to/from EU licenses online gaming and betting operators. The end result would be somewhat similar to the U.S.' Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, albeit with a state-run monopoly.
"These latest developments make the Commission's reasoned opinion even more relevant and highlight the need for market protectionist measures to end," Ligné said.
Meanwhile the EU's problem with Greece relates to the gaming monopoly granted to OPAP, a publicaly listed company which has over the years continued to maximize its profits and expanded beyond Greek borders while denying EU operators from having access to their market.
"These particular features of the Greek gaming monopoly and the clear discriminations against EU regulated competitors, left the Commission with no choice but to ensure the respect of basic EU market principles," said Ligné.
Related Articles:
- EU Moving on German Online Gambling Ban
- EGBA Challenges German Net Gambling Ban
- German Net Gambling Ban Begins Jan. 1
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New cosponsor for online gambling bill
Miller, a Democrat, is the ninth representative from California to sign on to Barney Frank's bill as a cosponsor. The bill seeks to set up regulations and licensing for online gambling in the United States, rather than trying to ban the industry.
Miller has been representing the 7th congressional district of California since 1975. He is considered to be a leading advocate in Congress on education, labor, the economy and the environment, and he currently serves as the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.
According to the biography on the House of Representatives Web site, Miller's top priorities in Congress are strengthening America's economy and creating good jobs that stay in the nation, as well as protecting retirement and health benefits, furthering innovation in technology, science and education, and making college more affordable.
As the 46th sponsor of the IGREA, Miller joins:
| Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) | Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) | Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) |
| Joe Baca (D-Calif.) | Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) | Howard Berman (D-Calif.) |
| Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) | Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) | Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) |
| Julia Carson (D-Ind.) | William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) | Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) |
| Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) | William Delahunt (D-Mass.) | Bob Filner (D-Calif.) |
| Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) | Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) | Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) |
| Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) | Michael Honda (D-Calif.) | Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) |
| Peter King (R-N.Y.) | John Larson (D-Conn.) | Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) |
| Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) | James McGovern (D-Mass.) | Charlie Melancon (D-La.) |
| James Moran (D-Va.) | Ron Paul (R-Texas) | Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) |
| Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas) | Steven Rothman (D-N.J.) | Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) |
| Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) | Robert Scott (D-Va.) | Adam Smith (D-Wash.) |
| Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.) | Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) | Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) |
| Melvin Watt (D-N.C.) | Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) | Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) |
| Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) | Albert Wynn (D-Md.) | Don Young (R-Alaska) |
If you don't see your own representative on the list, there are ways to contact your congressman or congresswoman and let them know your thoughts on legalizing online gambling. The Poker Players Alliance offers several ways to contact your representative at its Web site.
Other legislation in the works dealing with online gambling includes a bill from Robert Wexler that seeks to exclude poker from the current laws because it's a game of skill. Shelley Berkley also proposed a bill that would see a survey conducted on online gambling to determine what course of action on the issue is best for the nation.
Related Articles:
- Three More Support IGREA
- Blumenauer Makes 41 for IGREA
- IGREA Now has 40 Co-Sponsors
- Steve Cohen Co-sponsors IGREA
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