Paris, France (PRWEB) April 2, 2006 -- February 2006 upset the E-Gambling Market. First of all, European Parliament plenary session has excluded gambling activities from the scope of the draft framework services directive. Secondly February 17, French Government has issued a formal Decree allowing to the FDJeux to offer clients online Lottery and to act abroad via Internet. February 24, an Italian act restricted access to overseas and foreign online gambling sites. Solely United Kingdom moved to a regulation under control with the Gambling Act (2005 act about Gambling) which will come into force in September 2007.

Such legal February thunderstorms, which upset the industry, show once again numerous European policies from member states instead of unique voice and intensification of national monopoly policy as in France and Italy. Hereunder are the AFJL® Advisory Committee Experts comments & analyses.

Thibault VERBIEST – Lawyer bar of Paris & Brussels, specialized in NTIC, Media & Gambling – ULYS Law Firm:
"The French Decree dated earlier February 17 is just a catalog of good willingness, without any real obligations & duties for the government. Indeed, the decree confirms that the FDJeux is not allowed to let minors under 16 to play (why not minors under 18 ?) and that the FDJeux product line must not incite to money laundering. The opposite way would have been surprising at least. About the consultative committee: this is a good idea; but it is just consultative. Good willingness are not enough for European Court of Justice; Europe will ask for genuine proves of formal gaming and gambling regulation. On top of that we can note that the FDJeux is now allowed to offer games abroad. How can the FDJeux not allow foreign operators to act on French Market?

Eric BOUHANNA - Founder of Adictel (addictive player regulation)
Eric Bouhanna submit his application to the Consultative Committee pursuant the French decree. The main mission of this committee is to advice the French budget minister to rule on games proposed by the FDJeux. The minister will choose 3qualified persons with legal, economic, social & safety/security skills. Eric’s application is the result of his background (ethic & economic) about prevention of addictive players:

Didier DEWYN - Chairman of EBA (European Betting Association) and Unibet vice-CEO):
“Given the global nature of gambling, a monopoly cannot certainly achieve efficient consumer protection. Rapid technological developments have brought down borders and globalized in an unprecedented way the provision of gambling services creating common threats to consumers in all Member States. Only EU regulation of the gambling sector applying throughout the 25 Member States could ensure real and efficient consumer protection”.