Denmark Still Fighting to Keep Online Gambling Banned

December 30, 2007

According to the European Gaming and Betting Association, Denmark is continuing to ignore the commission’s opinion and is holding firm on their online gambling ban. The Association says that the only way that Denmark is going to listen and remove the online gambling ban is if they “initiate an ECJ-Trial” against the country.

As their online gambling rules stand right now, Danske Spil can only offer any games, lotteries or bets. The Danish Pools and Lottery Act, specifically Section 10 of the Act, states that they have the right to offer online gambling and that no one else except them can allow anyone to participate.

However, as the Commission has noted, their online gambling ban goes against the Article 49 of the EC Treaty, and therefore it is illegal for them to continue their ban. They say that Denmark has taken specific steps to keep other countries from participating in online gambling, which is illegal and goes against the EC rulings.

The Commission has already warned the Danish State that they had two months to comply with the online gambling treaty before action would be taken against the country. However, two months later, Denmark continues their online gambling ban, leaving the other countries out in the cold.

Denmark is not the only country facing legal action for an online gambling ban. Finland, Hungary, France and Sweden are all facing legal action for their online gambling stances, and Greece, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany have all been sent formal notices. France has already started to take steps that make it seem as if they are going to change their stance on online gambling, but nothing has been set in stone.

 

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