European Lotteries urges EU lawmakers to exclude gambling from proposed Digital Fairness Act
Regulation1 min read
European Lotteries called on the European Parliament and Council to exclude lotteries and gambling from the proposed Digital Fairness Act, while supporting its consumer-protection aims. The association argues that national licensing, advertising and player-protection rules should remain in place and that existing requirements should be enforced effectively.
The European Commission's proposed Digital Fairness Act would update EU consumer rules to tackle unfair or manipulative online practices.
European Lotteries has asked the European Parliament and Council to exclude lotteries and gambling services from the proposal, AGIMEG reported. The association argues that any new EU rules should complement national safeguards without overlapping with or weakening them, and leave countries free to set consumer protection levels for their markets.
The EU Court of Justice has repeatedly recognised gambling's particular character and its social, cultural and moral implications, the association said. The court has confirmed that member states have broad discretion in organising and regulating their markets, including choosing the level of consumer protection best suited to their national context. Gambling is excluded from the EU Services Directive and e-commerce directive.
Existing EU consumer protections include rules on unfair commercial practices, data protection, audiovisual media services and digital services. National gambling rules cover licensing, operations, advertising, responsible gambling and protection of minors and vulnerable consumers.
European Lotteries said the priority should be to apply and enforce existing rules effectively, arguing that new obligations across all sectors would further burden those who comply without hitting those who pose the greatest risk to consumers. The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and Council for consideration.