The European Commission has issued a preliminary report that finds U.S. laws on Internet gambling are legally not justified and discriminatory. The report found that the treatment of foreign Internet gambling operators by the U.S. under existing domestic law constituted a barrier to market access for European companies. Legislation previously introduced by Rep. Barney Frank would resolve the trade dispute by regulating Internet gambling.
Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative said: “The European Commission investigation further highlights the need for the Obama Administration and Congress to regulate Internet gambling not only to protect consumers, but in order to restore integrity to the international trade system,”.
The investigation by the European Commission is the result of a Trade Barrier Regulation complaint filed by the Remote Gambling Association which represents the largest remote gambling companies in Europe.
The European Commission could pursue discussions with the U.S. to find an appropriate solution to end the discrimination.