Bot indicated that blocking Internet casinos might be acceptable provided that, among other things, the policy was set to offer protection to consumersand most people interest.

The eu Union is having trouble getting member nations to follow a strict free trade policy on the subject of online gambling. When the nations formed the Union, basic policy was to permit free trade without restrictions across shared borders.

But Internet casinos became a sticking point. Some countries have state-owned monopolies, and resist incursions by privately owned gaming sites.

The European Commission has called for countries trying to restrict market access to desist and make allowance online casinos to operate, however the issue is considered delicate, and no severe penalties has been levied as of yet.

Now comes a pronouncement on the European Court of Justice by Advocate General Yves Bot that online gambling bans is also legal throughout the Union, under certain circumstances.

Bot indicated that blocking Internet casinos might be acceptable provided that, among other things, the policy was set to give protection to consumers and most of the people interest. He did go directly to say national monopolies can't be protected by a ban, unless the monopoly is administered only as protection, not a revenue-producing resource.

State monopolies on gambling haven't previously involved Internet gaming, and the precedent set will weigh heavily, not just on European online casinos, but in cases just like the protectionist case the Union is pursuing against the United States.

Published on October 15, 2008 by MattMiller

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