European Betting Companies Look To EC For Moves Towards A Single Market, by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels
Offshore-e-com.com Favicon OFFSHORE-E-COM.COM
Join us on Twitter Lowtax Facebook page Join our discussion on LinkedIn Join us on Google+ Subscribe to the Tax-News RSS Feed
LOWTAX JURISDICTIONS

Andorra
Anguilla
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Cayman Islands
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dubai
Estonia
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Grenada
Guernsey
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Isle of Man
Jersey
Labuan
Latvia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madeira
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Monaco
The Netherlands
The Netherlands Antilles
Nevis
New Zealand
Panama
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Ras Al Khaimah
Romania
Russia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
St. Kitts
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Switzerland
Turks & Caicos Islands
United Kingdom
United States
Vanuatu

NEWSLETTER

To receive our free monthly network newsletter enter your email address below:

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE!

With over 50,000 qualified readers every month our web-sites offer a number of cost effective, targeted advertising, sponsorship and marketing opportunities:

Display advertising - from 'skyscrapers' to 'buttons'
Content/article submission and sponsorship
Opt-in email marketing
On-line Services Directory listings

Click here to learn more or contact Charles Bell on +44 (0)1424 205 425 or at charles@bsi-media.com and he will put you in touch with your regional rep..


Lowtax Network Sites
Lowtax Network Portal: 'Low-tax' business and investment in the top 50 jurisdictions covered in exceptional detail.
Tax News: Global tax news, continuously updated through the day.
Investors Offshore: The independent offshore and alternative investment guide for expatriates and the globally aware investor. Sponsored by HSBC Bank International.
Law & Tax News: Daily news and background data on tax and legal developments for international business.
Offshore-e-com: A topical guide to offshore e-commerce focused on tax and regulation.
Lowtax Library: One of the web's largest and most authoritative business and investment information sources.
US Tax Network: The resource for free online US taxation information, covering: corporate tax, individual tax, international tax, expatriates, sales and e-commerce tax, investment tax.
Personal Business Tax Guide: Providing essential tax news and information on business for contractors, entrepreneurs, professionals, small businesses, artists, sportspersons and entertainers.
Offshore Trusts Guide: OTG publishes news, features and newsletters on the use of offshore trust structures.
TreatyPro: Online tax treaty resource.
HOME | CONTACT | RECRUITMENT | ABOUT | LEGAL | LINKS
 

 

European Betting Companies Look To EC For Moves Towards A Single Market, by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels
Monday, February 15, 2010

European Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier's recent commitment to address the situation of gaming and betting at EU level has been welcomed by the betting industry, despite increasing evidence that European countries are going their own ways.

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed this and a recent opinion of European Advocate General Bot in the betting case involving Winner Wetten (C-409/06) in which he confirmed that the primacy of EU law over national gaming legislation does not allow for any exception or transitional period.

Addressing members of the European Parliament, Commissioner Barnier confirmed that the analysis of the Commission Legal Service regarding the most recent European Court of Justice ruling (Santa Casa, C-42/09) does not change fundamentally the Commission’s approach towards infringement procedures.

The Commissioner said that the Santa Casa ruling of September 8, 2009 was based on considerations specific to Portugal and to its national monopoly operator. The Commission will therefore continue to examine the compliance of national legislation with EU law on a case-by-case basis.

Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of the EGBA, commented: “With several member states currently reforming their gaming and betting legislation, this is an important confirmation that the Commission will not stand by while member states introduce restrictions that go against fundamental principles of the EU. We believe that the respect of internal market rules in our sector will promote high standards and improve the protection of players throughout the EU”.

Only recently the EGBA had raised grave concerns against Belgium gambling legislation which:

  • required online operators to be established in Belgium;
  • unjustifiably, in EGBA's opinion, limited the number of available licenses;
  • required servers to be located in Belgium; and
  • imposed criminal sanctions on consumers wishing to play with EU licensed operators.

Ligne added: “It is baffling that Belgium does not take into account the opinion of the European Commission that crucial elements of the law are in conflict with EC law requirements. And even more so with a view to the upcoming Belgian presidency of the EU. How can Belgium show leadership in the EU, if it blatantly chooses to ignore the EC Treaty?”

Commissioner Barrier has signaled his intention to engage in a broad consultation with stakeholders and to work on a political document, based on reliable figures and a clear diagnosis of the situation in Europe.

The Commissioner raised the prospect of a Green Paper on gambling, a move which EGBA believed could offer a real opportunity to test the interest and support of the European Parliament and member states for future EU harmonization in the sector.


 

STRATEGIC PARTNERS
  Lowtax.net
  Tax-News.com
  USTaxNetwork.com
  Investors Offshore.com
  LawAndTax-News.com
  Personal Business Tax Guide
  LowtaxLibrary.com
  OffshoreTrustsGuide.com
  TreatyPro.com
THE LOWTAX SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY

THE LOWTAX SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY

FREE TRIAL NEWS SUBSCRIPTION

The Lowtax Library hosts the web's best-known US and international tax news service costing just $20 per month. Alongside topical, daily news, you can receive weekly newswires on a wide range of subjects.

FREE TRIAL NEWSWIRE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Our 16 up-to-date intelligence reports cover international tax-planning in depth, including banking secrecy, offshore funds, e-commerce and offshore gaming.

SEE REPORT DESCRIPTIONS

IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE LOWTAX NETWORK has taken reasonable care in sourcing and presenting the information contained on this site, but accepts no responsibility for any financial or other loss or damage that may result from its use. In particular, users of the site are advised to take appropriate professional advice before committing themselves to involvement in offshore jurisdictions, offshore trusts or offshore investments. All materials on this site copyright The Lowtax Network 1999 - 2012.


All content on this site has been provided by BSIRN.