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European Gaming Issues

European Gaming Issues. Thibault Verbiest IAB, Chicago 22 September 2006. European Gaming Issues. “ If you bet on a horse, that’s gambling. If you bet you can make three spades, that’s entertainment. If you bet cotton will go up three points that’s business. See the difference ? ”.

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European Gaming Issues

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  1. European Gaming Issues Thibault Verbiest IAB, Chicago 22 September 2006

  2. European Gaming Issues “ If you bet on a horse, that’s gambling. If you bet you can make three spades, that’s entertainment. If you bet cotton will go up three points that’s business. See the difference ? ”

  3. European Gaming Issues • A brief “update” • Traditional gaming: Bookmaking agencies, brick and mortar casinos, horse racing, bingo, sports wagering, lotteries • Non-traditional gaming becoming more prevalent : • internet gaming • SMS games • Video games • and much more !

  4. European Gaming Issues • Remarkable growth of the online gambling market • Traditional bookmakers are using the internet to make gambling much more accessible to a much wider audience: Ladbrokes, William Hill (UK) • Traditional land-based bookies now compete with online-only sportsbooks : BWin, Sportingbet • Online poker: fastest growing segment in the last 18 months • Online casino: lower growth / often added to sportsbooks or poker sites

  5. European Gaming Issues • What is noticeable on each of these sites? • Markets that were differentiated offline become one: “the online gambling market” versus “the casino market”, “the betting market” • Monopolies go online and diversify: eg, Française des Jeux offers lotteries, sports betting, and more and more casino style games • More competition

  6. European Gaming Issues • Where do the problems come from ?! • Outdated legislation, not aimed at internet gaming: eg, French 1836 Lottery Act! • No European harmonization: each countries has its own laws: Malta and UK ≠ France • Restrictive gaming policies: monopolies based on false pretense of consumer protection, anti-fraud, public order • Consequence: unfair competition, infringement of internal market rules ► complaints and litigation

  7. European Gaming Issues • Most recent one: France • Executives of Gibraltar based bookmaker BWin arrested following complaint by monopoly • Criminal proceedings based on “unlawful games of chance, unlawful lotteries and unlawful horse betting” • But pressure from European Commission growing: infringement proceedings to be launched soon against 8 countries including France • Fierce battle between Europe and France is starting

  8. European Gaming Issues • Belgium : From prohibition to regulation • New Games of Chance Act to allow European remote gaming operators to apply for “quality labels certificates” with Gaming Board • Entry into force 2007

  9. European Gaming Issues • Concluding remarks • Boom of European gambling market pushing towards liberalisation and reform of outdated systems • National “de facto” opening (Belgium, Italy, Germany) closely followed by European scrutiny • Outlook: market opening 2-5 years

  10. Thank you for your attentionthibault.verbiest@ulys.net

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