Games, Egba: “Italy should notify the EU of a project to reduce concessions”

“The Italian authorities should notify the European Commission of the draft tender that drastically reduces the number of remote gaming concessions in the country by increasing their cost by ten times the current amount. The notification allows the Commission to determine whether the national rules proposals are fully compliant with EU law “. This is what EGBA, the European Association for Gaming and Betting, affirms in a speech published on its website. “The Italian authorities are currently working on a new tender for online gaming concessions that from 2023 will limit the number of concessions in the country to 40 and increase their cost with a starting auction base of 2.5 million. of euro. The project has not yet been notified to the European Commission, contrary to the requirements of the European directive regarding the obligation to notify, a process aimed at ensuring that the proposed national standards are in full compliance with European Union law “. “The Egba – reports the association – has contacted the Italian gaming authority (Agenzia dei Monopolies and Customs) to share its concerns and remember that it is its duty to notify the project to the European Commission. current limit from 120 online gaming concessions to 40: a significant reduction of two thirds, plus the increase in their cost to a minimum amount of 2.5 million euros, 10 times more than the current one. would be determined through an auction instead of being established with a fixed quota, as happens in other European countries. These new concessions would enter into force from January 1, 2023, at the expiration of the current ones, for a duration of 9 years. “Now, if the ‘Egba respects the discretion, within certain limits, of the Member States in determining the cost of gaming concessions in their jurisdiction, it is clear that in the latter case it is an extremely high cost which, added to the drastic by reducing the number of concessions for online gaming, it risks becoming a major obstacle within the internal market. Furthermore, according to the EGBA, “this provision could weaken the channeling of demand in the game of the legal online gaming market in Italy, in favor of the illegal market. If the new ban enters into force without changes, it could become much more attractive for players in Italy look for non-concessionary operators, who would offer more attractive odds, precisely because they are “free” from taxes and duties. These players, consequently, would no longer be protected by the concessionaire of the ADM protection of legality and fight against any form of dependence . Goals that are instead a priority in the regulated online gaming market in Italy “. “We have asked the Italian authorities to notify the proposed call to the European Commission. Notification is required by European legislation, the absence of which would make the rule inapplicable to operators in Italy and its citizens. It is necessary that the Commission carefully examine this proposal, also to make sure that the project is not inconsistent with the consumer protection objectives of the Italian legislation on online gaming “, said Maarten Haijer, General Secretary Egba. The European Gaming and Betting Association is the Brussels-based association representing the major online gaming and betting operators established, licensed and regulated within the EU, including bet365, Betsson Group, Entain, Kindred Group and William Hill . The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (Bos) is also an affiliate member. EGBA works with national and European regulators and other stakeholders for a well-regulated and well-channeled online gaming market that provides a high level of consumer protection and takes into account the realities of the internet and demand. of online consumers. EGBA member companies meet the highest regulatory standards and have 145 online gaming licenses to provide their services to 16 million customers in 17 different European countries.