Ashley Fox (Conservative, UK) is rapporteur for the IMCO Committee and has coordinated Compromise amendments with the other political shadow rapporteur.
Although the original report was clearly supporting online operators in their attempt to facilitate the access to the European market (single market rules, infringement procedures against monopolies...), the amended report asks for a coherent approach of regulators to improve the conditions of the market for consumers (joint definition of illegal gambling, common identification systems, taxation coherence).
EPMA discussed with most MEPs involved, and insisted on putting back the reference to financial return to horseracing and equine sector that was ignored by the document of the European Commission as well as the first version of the report.
EPMA approves the need for more enforcement in the fight against illegal operators and follows MEPs is their idea to address the problem of tax avoidance as well as disproportionate tax regimes between States.
EPMA is particularly pleased to see the recognition of its commitment towards financing the horseracing and equine sector.
Vote in plenary is scheduled in the first week of July 2013
The participants will explore the merit of introducing a betting right, its financial benefits, statutory contributions from betting operators, the transparency of systems.
