Slovakia Set to Regulate Online Gambling Market

Saturday, 08 October 2011 13:25

Gambling News - Gambling Law News

Radical enforcement techniques such as ISP blocking may be adopted by the Slovakian government, which this week announced that its proposed legislation for the regulation of online gambling is soon to be presented to other EU member states & the European Commission in line with EU procedural rules.

The TASR news agency reports that the proposed amendments to Slovakia's Gambling Act are aimed at curbing the activities of foreign online betting companies operating without licenses in Slovakia.

Zuzana Brutenicova from the Finance Ministry's press department told TASR Thursday that the ministry is acting in line with the rules of EU notification processes in adopting legislation that is not part of so-called harmonised spheres.

"After the notification process is finished - it lasts at least three months - & evaluation of comments presented by EU-member countries, the Commission will decide on further moves concerning this legislative proposal," said Brutenicova.

The draft, which was disclosed for comment in early September, has been criticised by ministries concerned about the enforcement problems it could create, & worries that the punitive measures envisaged are too harsh.

IT trade associations & activist bodies have also voiced reservations regarding restrictions on the freedom of the Internet.

© 2007-2010 BrainBetting.com. All rights reserved.