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The European Gaming and Betting Association are in great spirits after the ruling of a Belgian court.  The French Tennis Association failed in its attempt to stop gambling groups such as Bwin, Ladbrokes, and Betfair (huge names in online sportsbooks and online casinos) from taking bets on the Roland Garros French Open and Paris Masters 2008. 

The French Tennis Federation  brought three cases against the EU licensed operators.  All The Liége first instance court in Belgium rejected all allegations and complaints. 
 
According to the EGBA, the judge ruled that the association acted in a prudent and diligent manner after reviewing the precautions taken for the big event.  The EGBA is forbidding any anonymous betting, which insures perfect traceability. 

Furthermore, the judge observed “the various measures, notably for the protection of minors” put into place by Bwin, as well as its membership of “ESSA (European Sport Security Association) which aims to guarantee the integrity of sports betting offers and to keep sports honest and free from fraud.” 
 
The judge also took note of the “simple mention of the name of a sports event is a necessary indication for the online betting activity” which “cannot be considered as an act of parasitism since its sole purpose is to let the player identify which sport event to place a bet on.”  
 
The Belgian judge mandated the French Tennis Federation pay Euro 5,000 for each case for the recovery of legal costs. 
 
“EU-licensed bookmakers are professionals that have a high level of expertise, know-how and risk management skills,” said Sigrid Ligné, EGBA Secretary General.

“This has been clearly recognized by the Belgian judge looking at the fact-based evidence to dismiss all the claims in this case.” 

This marks yet another victory for online casinos and Internet gambling in Europe.  Now, if only the US would catch and drop its hypocritical policies against online casinos.
 

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