The European Casino Association (ECA), European Lotteries (EL), and the World Tote Association have come together to form the Alliance Against Illegal Gambling. This alliance aims to support the Digital Service Act, a legislation that seeks to enhance traceability of business users in online marketplaces, locate sellers of illegal goods and services, and facilitate coordination among European nations for enforcement across the single market.
The Digital Service Act is being presented for review to the European Parliament and Council in conjunction with the Digital Markets Act. While it does not have direct regulations on gambling, various provisions related to social media, advertising, and take-down orders will impact the gambling sector.
The members of the Alliance Against Illegal Gambling state that unlicensed providers in the industry evade tax contributions to the communities they operate in, create unfair competition, and neglect to provide support for problem gamblers. The Digital Services Act would enable users to alert online intermediaries about potentially illegal content or activities, allowing authorities to take action against the providers.
The ECA chair, Per Jaldung, emphasized the importance of collaboration within the EU gambling industry to address common issues like illegal gambling. The Alliance aims to raise awareness and work with policymakers to effectively tackle this problem, providing support in protecting consumers across Europe. Jaldung also expressed support for the Digital Services Act package, recognizing it as a critical measure to combat this social issue.
The Digital Services Act has garnered praise from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). EGBA’s secretary general, Maarten Haijer, believes it will facilitate more consistent enforcement actions throughout the continent. EGBA has committed to engaging with policymakers to ensure the successful passage and implementation of this legislation.
