Europe as a whole consists of many different countries. Each country has its own laws in place. However, most EU countries allow some form of games of chance. There are some countries which allow all types of games including casino games, poker, betting, and slots. If you are interested in learning more about the online slot regulations in Europe, you have come to the right place. This post takes a close look at the online slot regulations in place throughout the continent.
A common mistake that people make is thinking that Europe is a single state. Although it might be true in terms of economic significance, each country passes its own legislation in line with the European Union. This means that the country is responsible for its own laws. It holds true for the gambling industry as well as there is no regulation or legislation in place which standardizes gaming and betting in the continent.
The fact is that there is no sector that has specific regulation. Thus, Europeans nations are autonomous when it comes to organizing gambling services. However, the only requirement that needs to be followed by every country is that fundamental freedoms are complied with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in accordance to the interpretations of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Some games on chances offered online are allowed. There are also monopolistic regimes that provide online gambling services for the purpose of cohesion. These are controlled by the state or a private company.
Growth in Licensing Systems
As more and more people in EU countries decide to play online slots such as thisisstory, it has resulted in many countries establishing licensing systems to ensure that more operators can provide services in the market. According to the law in the European Union, it is not possible for any particular system to be favored over others.
The online gambling industry is influenced by the regulations in place which are characterized by a diverse range of regulatory frameworks. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has passed various judgments on the compliance of regulatory frameworks in the EU. It sets precedence over what to expect.
EU countries have the full support of the Commission to modernize the existing online gambling legal framework. The main focus is on the improvement of the administrative framework for the cooperation of gambling regulatory authorities. It aims to provide support to maintain the highest level of protection so that consumers such as vulnerable people are not taken advantage of.
Country-Wise Regulations
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has its own laws in place. The responsible authority is the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). It has the strictest regulations in place within the entire EU. The Commission has stated that gamblers in the UK spend around GBP 14.5 each year and the number is on the rise every year.
The limiting of players to wager on fixed-odds has been one of the most controversial moves in recent times. In the past, players were able to wager for up to GBP 100 on each go at the terminals. However, the law has changed and now a maximum of GBP 2 can be placed on each wager. It led to William Hill having to close around 700 shops of its own. The loss of profits was associated with the new regulation. But, the government believes that easy access to high stakes gambling can cause social issues, especially among the poor. Many casinos have also been hit with huge fines over the past few years. This shows just how strict the UK is when it comes to controlling the gambling industry.
Germany
An EU country that dictates much of the decision-making is Germany. It has complex laws in place that dictate the gambling industry. All forms of online betting and gaming were banned following the 2008 legislation. Only horse racing betting continued to be allowed. This caused the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) to take action as the legislation breached EU rules.
The European Court of Justice ruled that the industry had been monopolized in Germany in 2010 and needed to become liberal. This led to the Interstate Treat on Gambling (ISTG) being introduced in 2012. Thus, more private companies were able to offer gambling services. All states in Germany, except Schleswig Holstein were able to pass their own legislation to ensure a more liberal stance. However, the newly elected government of 2013 scrapped the legislation in 2013. But, the licenses that had been issued by Schleswig Holstein previously needed to be honored until 2018 as defined.
Spain
Spain is home to one of the biggest gambling industries in the world. If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it is the fact that Spaniards love to gamble. The country has amended its laws concerning gambling many times over the years.
The last changes were made in 2012 when operators had the opportunity to apply for a license to cater to the public. There were certain conditions which had to be met. Various companies manage to get a license from the Spanish National Gaming Commission. Thus, they were able to operate with ease. At present, Spanish residents can legally bet and gamble online using websites that have licensed by the government. Some of the biggest brands like William Hill and Bet365 have Spanish sites where locals can bet, play poker, and use a slot machine.
Italy
Italy has quite liberal gambling laws as compared to most European nations. During the time when most countries started to enforce strict laws, the country continues to introduce legislation which enabled companies to offer sports betting services online and in retail outlets. By 2011, many changes were made to allow licensees to offer casino games and poker to users.
Conclusion
Once you have gone over this post, you will know everything there is to know about the online slot regulations in Europe. Therefore, you will be better informed about what to expect.