On April 4, the European Commission decided to send official requests for information on national legislation restricting the supply of sport betting services to seven member states: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Denmark</st1lace></st1:country-region>. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Finland</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Hungary</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Netherlands</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Sweden</st1lace></st1:country-region>.
This decision follows a number of complaints by operators supplying sport betting services, who feel that restrictive measures adopted by these member states are not compatible with Article 49 of the EC treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services.
The European Court of Justice has repeatedly stated that any restriction which seeks to protect general interest objectives, such as the protection of consumers, must be consistent and systematic in how they seek to limit betting activities.
A member state cannot invoke the need to restrict its citizens' access to betting services if at the same time it incites and encourages them to participate in state lotteries, games of chance or betting which benefits the state's finances.
Source: The Sunday Times
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Denmark</st1lace></st1:country-region>. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Finland</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Hungary</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Netherlands</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Sweden</st1lace></st1:country-region>.This decision follows a number of complaints by operators supplying sport betting services, who feel that restrictive measures adopted by these member states are not compatible with Article 49 of the EC treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services.
The European Court of Justice has repeatedly stated that any restriction which seeks to protect general interest objectives, such as the protection of consumers, must be consistent and systematic in how they seek to limit betting activities.
A member state cannot invoke the need to restrict its citizens' access to betting services if at the same time it incites and encourages them to participate in state lotteries, games of chance or betting which benefits the state's finances.
Source: The Sunday Times
