The European Commission (executive of the European Union) appointed the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, based in Lausanne (www.isdc.ch) to conduct a study on gaming law in the EU.

The purpose of the study, as described in the Commission’s call for tender, is “…to evaluate how the differing laws regulating on-line and off-line gambling services as well as games in the editorial content of the media and certain types of promotional games impact upon the smooth functioning of the Internal Market for these and associated (e.g. media, sports, charity, tourism) services and thus could restrict the economic and employment growth associated with such services.”

The institute has some experience with gaming legislation. In 2003, it organized a colloquium on online gaming. Last year, the Institute published a study on online casinos, covering issues like licensing, cross-border regulation, legal framework at European and international level, self regulation, consumer protection, money laundering and taxation .

The study will form the basis of a European Commission decision to include or not gambling under its general proposal to harmonize regulation of services. It will have to be finalized by the end of the year.

The IFHA has a clear position to communicate to the consultants. In line with article 28 of our International Agreement (see elsewhere on this website), we strongly believe in the national integrity on gambling regulation. Gambling is a service that needs particular considerations with respect to morality, public order, compulsive behavior and money laundering. Each country has developed its own gambling law and policy, reflecting the national acceptance of this activity.