Slovakia to submit proposed online gambling regulations to E.C.

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 and 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 – and 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, and worries that the punitive measures envisaged are too harsh.
IT trade associations and activist bodies have also voiced reservations regarding restrictions on the freedom of the Internet.

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