The co-chief executive of bwin.party digital entertainment was recently detained by the Belgian Gambling Commission and underwent questioning for two hours. Although there where many different protests against this detention, the media as well as many others associated with the online gambling industry waited anxiously for his release, as well as took their time to provide a collective response to this type of intimidation from the Belgian government. The letter was sent to the Financial Times in response to this detention, in spite of the fact that a journalist has written a very demeaning article for the Financial Times immediately following the detainment.
This letter was written by the chief executive of Victor Chandler International on behalf of some of the big executives, owners as well as himself of leading online gambling firms throughout Europe. Those companies included Winamax, Gamesys, Betclic Everest Group, 888 Holdings, Stan James, bwin.party digital entertainment, William Hill, 32Red, Sportingbet and bet365. Among the signatories of this letter was an integral member of bet365, who was listed on her Majesty’s honor list earlier in 2012. This letter clearly stated that the detainment of the co-chief executive of bwin.party digital entertainment was virtually next door to the European Parliament, where the European Commissioner for internal market and services operates.
Because of the close proximity, it was quoted as “a stark reminder of the legal uncertainty that prevails in the European online gaming market”. Other important aspects within the letter word that despite the fact that Belgian authorities felt that it was okay to intimidate online gambling groups that may have challenged their country’s domestic gaming laws, Belgian authorities have maintained complete silence on each of the concerns that were raised by the European commission on these same laws. These same laws were questioned and concerns were raised when it came to the opinion of the European commission and domestic gaming event back to 2009.
The letter continued and targeted the European Commission for their lack of action when it was concerning a direct complaint was lodged against the country of Belgium in 2010. The European Commissioner simply assumed that there was hope on the forefront of the gambling industry in Europe. They accepted compliance of laws within the treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as a prerequisite for successful policies for online gaming. The leader of the European commission also assured individuals that the office he headed blended launch proceedings if there were any obvious infringements made upon this treaty. The online gaming companies are now asking him to deliver on that promise, because of the actions that have taken place in Belgium. Instead of acting in a protectionist manner, the chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association has pointed out in action among member states, encouraging them to stand up and act accordingly. Bulgaria recently introduced a 15% tax on gambling companies’ turnovers, which has encouraged the European commission’s attacks from other sources, because online gaming companies are expecting action to protect them under the laws and policies of online gambling treaties and agreements.