Concerns about public order and consumer protection are best dealt with by controls and regulation at the level of the Member State. EL takes note that the European Commission has closed the open infringement cases concerning online gambling.
Brussels, 7 December 2017 – The European Lotteries Association (EL) takes note that the European Commission has closed the open infringement cases concerning online gambling.
EL Secretary General Arjan van ‘t Veer: “It makes sense for the European Commission to close cases when it is indeed no longer needed to pursue them. Concerns about public order and consumer protection are best dealt with by controls and regulation at the level of the Member State.“
EL recalls that Member States have a wide discretionary margin in determining their gambling policy on their territory. They have the right to decide on restrictive measures for public order and consumer protection, in light of the national/regional specific features.
It is therefore welcomed that the Commission in its statement today acknowledges the broader political legitimacy of the public interest objectives that Member States are pursuing when regulating gambling services.
The association also stresses the primary competence of Member States to regulate the gambling sector on their territory, as has been confirmed by the Council and the case-law from the EU Court.
