European Parliament resolution on Internet gambling, is it good or bad?

The decision by the European Parliament (EP) not to develop standardized rules for regulating online casinos has been welcomed by the European Casino Association, representing land casinos, and caused regret of the Remote Gaming Association (RGA), representing online gambling sites, says onlinecasinoadvisory.com.

The EP voted for resolution prepared by a Danish Member almost unanimously. The Resolution highlights the special nature of online gambling which requires it be exempted from other commerce agreements. Consequently, nations can continue creating their own laws and regulatory system regarding this industry. 

Land casino operators liked the announcement as it enables them to resist competition in some countries. On the other hand the RGA, led by Clive Hawkswood, has asked the regulatory system to prevent national laws from violating the European Treaty. Hawkswood said Internet gambling could be regarded as any other commercial product. He also said that as many as twenty countries were already operating to protect their domestic online casinos and monopolies.