Brussels, 27/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 27 June, the European Commission took measures to put an end to obstacles to the freedom of supply of sports betting services in France, Greece and Sweden. After considering the responses from France and Sweden to the formal notices sent in April and October 2006, the Commission has now officially asked the two countries to amend their respective legislations by sending them each a reasoned opinion. If it does not receive a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission could refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities. The Commission also decided to send Greece an official request for information on restrictions imposed by national legislation to the supply of sports betting services. This request is in the form of a formal notice, the first stage in the infringement procedure provided for in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Greece will now have two months to respond.
In a separate case, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion, formally reminding the Greek authorities of their obligation to lift their total ban on gaming machines, including computer games. The European Court of Justice in Case C-65/05 of 26 October 2006 ruled that the Greek laws which ban the installation and operation of all gaming machines violate a number of internal market principles. Greece will now have two months to comply with the judgment. If it fails to do so, the Commission could impose financial penalties. (cd)