EU Gambling Levy Criticised as Unworkable by EGBA
Highlights
-
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) introduced proposals on an EU-wide online gambling levy.
-
However, confirmation of this present bill depends on the unanimous approval of all 27 member states.
The European Parliament’s Budget Committee has assembled planning for the long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 2034).
The committee has planned out multiple ways to generate extra revenue for the EU budget. It also includes an EU-wide levy on online gambling software. MEP Victor Negrescue was the first one to recommend this measure in February.
He further briefed, stating that it could fetch € 2 bn- € 4 bn per year. It accounts for €28bn across the full budget cycle. Already, 20MEPs have agreed to this proposal before it even reached the committee.
Renowned industry trade body EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association) has condemned the proposal, pointing out the immense financial strain it imposes on licensed operators and calling it “Fundamentally Unworkable.” Furthermore, such amendments will only boost the presence of illegal operators.
But Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s secretary general, said gambling regulation is not harmonized at the EU level. It clearly means no legal basis to define, administer, or collect such a levy.
For the bill to be converted into law, it would require the unanimous agreement of all 27 Member States of the EU Council.
For more information, Refer Here!
The committee has planned out multiple ways to generate extra revenue for the EU budget. It also includes an EU-wide levy on online gambling software. MEP Victor Negrescue was the first one to recommend this measure in February.
He further briefed, stating that it could fetch € 2 bn- € 4 bn per year. It accounts for €28bn across the full budget cycle. Already, 20MEPs have agreed to this proposal before it even reached the committee.
Renowned industry trade body EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association) has condemned the proposal, pointing out the immense financial strain it imposes on licensed operators and calling it “Fundamentally Unworkable.” Furthermore, such amendments will only boost the presence of illegal operators.
But Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s secretary general, said gambling regulation is not harmonized at the EU level. It clearly means no legal basis to define, administer, or collect such a levy.
For the bill to be converted into law, it would require the unanimous agreement of all 27 Member States of the EU Council.
For more information, Refer Here!
