GBGA would like to see EU legal framework for online gambling

The Gibraltar Betting & Gaming Association (GBGA) has called for an EU framework for online gambling legislation after its appeal against the UK’s point of consumption licensing was dismissed by the courts.

In a statement after Friday’s judgment, the GBGA said: “We remain concerned the UK regulator will find it difficult to hold companies to account in jurisdictions outside of the EU where it has no legal powers and common legal framework or culture. Given this judgment there is now even greater need for an EU legal framework for online gambling if we are to effectively protect all European consumers, enjoy a common market and avoid each Member State deciding alone how to deal with an activity that naturally crosses borders.”

The GBGA said it had ‘naturally’ been disappointed with the Court’s decision, adding: “Cross-border regulatory regimes require significant co-ordination and co-operation on key legal and regulatory issues and the UK already had this with the Gibraltar industry, regulator and jurisdiction. We maintain this law is not in the best interests of consumers, the industry and the regulator itself and that there are more effective ways of dealing with the challenges of regulation and competition in this sector.”

While there was no mention of an appeal against this judgment, there was an interesting point in the Racing Post which suggested that the UK’s point of consumption tax changes, which have been going through the legal procedure separately to the licensing issues within the Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Act, could be open to a Judicial Review itself. The tax changes are due to be implemented at the start of December.