EC Recommendation is good for online gambling market
BVIGA : EC Recommendation is a good basis for an improved online gambling market
The European Commission this week published recommendations on online gambling aimed at better protecting online gambling consumers. The BVIGA believes these newly published recommendations serve as valuable statement of intent from the Commission, and can provide a good basis for ensuring a healthy online gambling market that protects and serves consumers across the European Union. The non-binding recommendations aim to encourage EU member states to better protect consumers through adopting a set of principles on responsible advertising, sponsorship and player protection in online gambling.
British Virgin Islands based online gaming operators already adhere to principles contained in the recommendations – and indeed go further in some respects: BVIGA members have rigorous procedures in place to protect consumers and to prevent underage online gambling. Indeed the EC recommendations closely follow procedures set out in the 2011 CEN Workshop Agreement on Responsible Remote Gambling Measures, which all BVIGA members voluntarily uphold.
BVIGA CEO Peter Howitt commented: “These new recommendations are a valuable support to consumers and to the licensed online gambling industry in the EU. British Virgin Islands is a world renowned hub of online gambling, and it is well respected for its high standards in terms of consumer protection and careful licensing of reputable operators. Recommendations such as these will help to raise consumer protection levels across the entire European Union and represent another welcome step on the path to closer European harmonisation in this important area of e-commerce. A more co-ordinated regulatory approach can only be good news for European consumers and business within the context of the EU digital economy.”
He added “That said, reputable stakeholders cannot afford to be complacent on these issues and the BVIGA is working hard to ensure that where we can improve our approach to player protection and responsible gambling concerns we will do so. Our industry can better communicate how we protect European consumers and this will be a focus of BVIGA ’s activity over the next 18 months.”
ENDS
About the BVIGA :
The British Virgin Islands Betting and Gaming Association is an industry association that works to ensure a fair market for operators and a safe environment for consumers, by speaking for the industry with one voice on industry and consumer matters.
For more information please contact:
Peter Howitt, Chief Executive
Email: peterhowitt@gbga.gi
Tel: +350 200 68450
Peter Howitt
Latest posts by Peter Howitt (see all)
- UK Court rules that the Point of Consumption Licensing Regime is lawful - 10th of October, 2014
- EC Recommendation is good for online gambling market - 16th of July, 2014
- “Unlawful’” Gambling Law Poses “New Danger” for Consumers - 18th of June, 2014
