European laws try to silence Right2Bet consumer campaign

Viral videos created by consumer choice champions right2bet.net to illustrate the unfair nature of current European betting restrictions are being blocked from being advertised on websites across Europe, the campaign claimed this week.
The series of spoof videos show the ‘Renegade Ref’ let loose on the streets, imposing random rules on innocent members of the public.  With his trusty whistle never far from his lips, he brandishes red and yellow cards at any unsuspecting victims who fall foul of his very own unfathomable instructions.
Right2bet is calling for EU Member States to end state gambling monopolies and commercial protectionism and allow their citizens the same freedom to bet with any licensed European betting company that UK citizens have.  The campaign urges consumers/players to back it by signing a petition at www.right2bet.net
The very laws that prevent people in countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, Finland and The Netherlands from choosing their betting provider are forcing some websites and bloggers in those countries to reluctantly turn away the informative but fun videos.
Michael Robb, right2bet spokesperson, said: “The ridiculousness of European betting laws has never been better demonstrated. The ‘Renegade Ref’ videos are encouraging people to join our consumer campaign and make a stand for freedom of choice.  But because the campaign is linked to betting as opposed to any other leisure industry, we’re told that many websites are worried they may not be allowed to show the material.
“It’s farcical – they’re free to put them up if we don’t pay them, but not if they’re commercially advertised. It proves our point that these outdated laws are impinging on people’s freedom, not just to bet, but also to express opinion. This is fundamentally against what the EU should stand for.”
The videos are allowed to be advertised in countries which allow betting advertising, such as the UK.
Watch the videos they want banned in Europe.
The Renegade Ref #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oHxLmIkAp8
The Renegade Ref #19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ySzXPW4ZY
The Renegade Ref #28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5GsGeq7k6o
The Renegade Ref #37
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmMxO0ItTtY
The Renegade Ref #98
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJLFN2Zy6FU
Right2bet wants to generate one million signatures for its online petition to persuade the EU Commission that state betting monopolies are illegal, unfair, and curtail consumer freedom of choice.
Betting companies within the EU are currently barred from expanding into other European countries including Germany, France, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands because of regulations that force their citizens to use just one or two betting providers based within their own borders, contradicting EU principles of free trade among Member States.

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