SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed new proposals made in the European Commission’s proposals for a Digital Services Act (DSA).
The publication of the proposals follows on from the Commission’s calls for ‘an ambitious reform of the digital space’.
The long-awaited legislative proposal, which will support the Digital Markets Act, will introduce rules for regulating large digital platforms, as well as ensuring that ‘markets impacted by digital gatekeepers remain fair and competitive’.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, commented: “The two proposals serve one purpose: to make sure that we, as users, have access to a wide choice of safe products and services online.
“And that businesses operating in Europe can freely and fairly compete online just as they do offline. This is one world. We should be able to do our shopping in a safe manner and trust the news we read. Because what is illegal offline is equally illegal online.”
Even though the DSA will not directly govern the European online gambling sector, the EGBA believes that the proposal remains relevant due to its impact on ‘ex-ante rules for digital gatekeepers such as social media companies, the digital liability of online platforms, online advertising, and notice and take down actions’.
DSA proposals will be passed on to the European Parliament and the Council, who will review the proposal and suggest amendments before coming to a joint agreement on the final contents of the legislation.
Backing the proposals, the EGBA reiterated the need for ‘more common EU rules and initiatives’ such as e-ID for cross-border digital sectors such as Europe’s online gambling sector.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA, added: “We welcome the Commission’s Digital Services Act and hope this will be the beginning of renewed efforts by the Commission to address many of the regulatory challenges which impact on companies and consumers who buy and sell services in the digital space.
“One of the challenges we see in Europe’s online gambling sector is the need for more consistent regulations in the EU, particularly in respect to customer protection, and the Commission needs to step up to address the current fragmentation.”
