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On 1st December 2024, the European Casino Association (ECA) announced the publication of its new mandate, which is expected to cover the next five years (2024-2029), and has begun seeking support for the new European Commission.
According to the European Casino Association, the new mandate is dedicated to supporting the EU policymakers in implementing the goals proclaimed by the new EU Commission. It also aims to protect the member states’ economies, safeguard consumer well-being, and champion economic growth.
The new Manifesto is founded on three pillars that will drive the association’s goals for the next five years, and they include:
- Support: The ECA is active and ready to assist the European Union in ensuring a well-regulated and safe gaming environment.
- Protect: The ECA, through adherence to strict regulatory frameworks and collaborative dialogues with EU Member States, will ensure that the well-being of European consumers remains central to the commission’s mission. It will also promote responsible gambling and fairness in all casino operations.
- Promote: ECA members will actively drive economic growth by supporting local communities, creating jobs, and contributing to national and EU-wide GDP.
“This document reflects our commitment to supporting the EU and Member States’ efforts to uphold a regulated and responsible land-based casino sector. We call on policymakers to collaborate with us in safeguarding the integrity of the gaming industry against illegal operators while fostering economic growth and protecting consumers,” Erwin van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA, said while speaking about the Manifesto.
One of the sector’s main objectives remains to eliminate illegal gambling activities. Reports show that the illegal operators deprive EU Member States of more than €10 billion in tax revenues annually. “It creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging licensed operators. European policymakers should support member states in regaining full control over all gambling services, so that laws, regulations and protective measures can be efficiently applied again,” the manifesto reads.
The new mandate is pledging its 28 members, which includes government commissions and individual operators of land-based and online casinos, to fight crime and protect consumers across the region.
It also called for the Commission to retain its level 2 AML (Anti Money Laundering) risk classification for land-based casinos in the upcoming review of its AML assessment model (SNRA). According to the Commission’s report, Level 2 is classified as medium-risk.
President Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the leader of the European Commission, assuming office on December 1, 2024. She secured her re-election with 370 approval votes from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). In contrast, 282 MEPs voted against her, while 36 abstained. Von der Leyen has been at the helm of the commission since 2019.
Source: iGamingBusiness
