UK gambling firms say no to Italian ban

Talking to lawyers...

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 20th February 2006 11:49 GMT

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UK gaming companies are threatening to take legal action against Italian regulators unless they reverse recent changes which outlaw access to gaming sites outside Italy.

Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance passed a law threatening to fine any Italian ISP which allows access to a list of gambling sites.

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which represents online gambling, put out a statement in November objecting to the changes which they claim breach five categories of EC rules. A spokesman for the RGA told The Register discussions were ongoing with individual members talking to government.

He said the RGA was likely to review its options at the end of the month.

European Commission laws allow governments to restrict cross-border services on moral grounds, but not due to competition.

In related news, Antigua is calling on the US to obey a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling on internet gambling. Antigua is home to several such companies but US law forbids placing bets across state lines. Antigua complained that the US government has done nothing to comply with the April 2005 ruling. The country is also worried that two new bills potentially put the US in breach of WTO rules. More from Yahoo here. ®

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