European online gambling disputes program planned

The UK Gambling Commission has announced that beginning February 15 2016 there will be a European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, which will allow consumers, traders and Accredited Dispute Resolution providers to file, respond to, and handle disputes (including disputes where the trader and consumer are in different countries within the EU) online.

The launch date was originally 9 January, and although the regulations will not be amended, it has been confirmed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that there will be no enforcement action before the portal is online on 15 February 2015.

“Online businesses must provide signposting to the ODR platform from 15 February. Not only must they link to the ODR platform on their website, they must also inform consumers of the existence of the ODR platform and the possibility of using the platform to resolve disputes, and they must include this information in any standard terms and conditions of business,” a statement from the Commission advises.

“If an offer is made to a consumer by email, the email must contain a link to the ODR platform.”

The guidance to businesses states that traders may prefer to signpost consumers in the same member state directly to their approved ADR provider in the first instance…if they believe it would be a simpler route to attempt to settle the dispute.

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