Contrary to the United States, most European nations have adopted regulations for online sports gambling and also provide a legal and secure environment for their own citizens. The European Union is a lot more progressive when it comes to Internet gaming compared to other areas of the world, which has allowed the activity to flourish.
EU member states account for about 45% of the total amount wagered worldwide. The online gaming sector as a whole is worth roughly $33 billion globally, meaning European gamblers are making up about $14.85 billion of their international online wagering market, making them the largest regulated market on earth.
European Gaming Laws
While some member countries were faster to adopt online gambling regulations than many others, the EU authorities has strict laws governing free contest between EU countries and their citizens.
For awhile, many countries virtually ignored these free-trade and trade laws. Rather they legalized online betting in their own countries while outlawing or counseling players to steer clear of overseas operators, therefore Implementing a state-run monopoly.
Blocking other EU member countries from providing online betting services to citizens in the nation where the activity is legal breaks European law. The European Commission has fined lots of states and forced them into compliance through recent years.
However, countries like France and the Netherlands are still very much monopolistic compared to other nations, allowing citizens to bet at any licensed gambling site in the EU. As of 2014, there are still ongoing legal conflicts in regards to this issue.
Even with the free trade and competition laws on the books, it is important to keep in mind that each nation still has their set of regulations and licensing requirements. Tax rates will be different as well.
Overall, pretty much every member state in the EU has some form of legal online gaming. Online sports betting are offered by the vast bulk.
More importantly, they offer better consumer protections in contrast to every other bodies on the planet. If a player has a dispute with a gambling operator, their regional gambling regulators will work on the participant’s behalf to ensure the player is treated fairly. They’ll also keep an eye on theft and fraud offenses by unscrupulous or unscrupulous online gaming sites.
This is a luxury that bettors in countries where online betting is deemed prohibited or even in a legal gray area will not be afforded. Should they have a dispute with an operator, then they are still at the mercy of the site that holds their funds. There’s practically nothing they can do from a legal standpoint.