European online gaming applauds efforts of EU Trade Commissioner

The European online gaming industry has signaled its happiness over the efforts made by European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to address unfavourable online gaming trade practices by the US during his recent visit to Washington.

Mandelson took the opportunity during his stay in Washington to lobby for compensation to the European online gaming industry over the US' intentions to renege on its WTO obligations to open its online gambling market to foreign competition.

Mandelson reportedly called for US to give European online gaming operators fair and non-discriminatory access to its online gambling market. Failing that, the EU is still in negotiations as to the amount due in compensation from the US with estimates running to the billions of dollars.

Online bingo industry observers and representatives are joining other Europena online gaming pundits in the applause being given to Mandelson.  Bingo online and operators of online bingo games suffered greatly last year when the US market was closed overnight to them with the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

While in Washington, Mandelson is reported as saying: "The US has so far opted for compensation to make right what is wrong. I don't think compensation does that job. What we really need is for legislation to be put right and for foreign operators not to be discriminated against in the way that the present legislation does. I will continue to make these arguments on behalf of European industry".

Clive Hawkswood, CEO at the Remote Gaming Association, commented on Mandleson's efforts saying: "We were very pleased to hear Commissioner Mandelson's public support for non-discriminatory legislation to regulate gambling in the US. It is in the consumer's interest to have a legitimate, well regulated market. We urge the Commission to ensure that adequate legislation is in place before concluding the current compensation negotiations".