RGA and EGBA file Greece complaint

Following the recent publication by the Greek government of a range of enforcement measures for online gambling, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have filed a joint complaint with the European Commission concerning the extension of the existing OPAP monopoly.

Following the recent publication by the Greek government of a range of enforcement measures for online gambling, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have filed a joint complaint with the European Commission concerning the extension of the existing OPAP monopoly.
Between them, the RGA and the EGBA represent the majority of online gaming operators in Europe with the pair stating that this most recent complaint concerns the ‘non-notification of regulations that will extend OPAP’s monopoly on online gambling and impose harsh enforcement measures while the compliance of the new law with European Union law remains in question’.
The EGBA and RGA declared that they are concerned that the government for Greece has ‘failed to begin licensing online gambling operators’, which was a ‘central measure’ of the state’s gambling law passed in August of 2011.
“Instead, the Greek government has decided to grant OPAP, the incumbent monopoly gambling operator for offline games, an extension of its licence for ten more years from 2020 to 2030 and also to extend the monopoly to include online gambling,” read a statement from the RGA.
“This process has shown a disdain for European Union law and has been wholly non-transparent. The failure to notify the Commission under directive 98/34/EC reflects that. The regulations introduce wide-ranging enforcement measures including ISP and payment blocking, fines on banks and Internet providers who facilitate gambling and fines on operators who have not been granted a licence.”
“Commissioner Barnier recently confirmed that the he would take his responsibilities seriously in ensuring the compliance of member states’ gambling legislation with European Union law,” said Sigrid Ligne, Secretary General for the EGBA.
“We trust the Commissioner will urgently investigate our complaint and take action accordingly against Greece as well as on several other pending complaints.”
“When the Greek government said it was going to licence and regulate the domestic online gambling market we welcomed this as a positive step,” said Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive Officer for the RGA.
“However, instead of encouraging the development of a competitive and well-regulated market, the Greek government and Gaming Commission are blocking major European private operators from it. We, therefore, look to the Commission, as guardian of the treaties, to ensure that Greece follows the correct procedures and that the laws that it is seeking to introduce are fully compliant with European Union law.”

Source: www.igamingbusiness.com