[ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. expresses concern at the widespread illegal activities within this sector, the resulting growth in harmful economic developments outside it, the social costs in terms of compulsive gambling and organised crime and the economic costs in terms of tax evasion for example;

2011/07/19
Committee: ECON

Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. stresses that compulsive gambling is in fact a behavioural disorder possibly affecting up to 2% of the population in certain countries1; calls therefore for a survey of the extent of the problem in each EU Member State as a basis for an integrated strategy designed to protect consumers from this form of addiction; __________________ 1 Prevalence studies in Europe have tended to report that problem gamblers are most likely to be electronic gaming machine (EGM) players. Problem gambling rates in Europe appear to be similar to rates found elsewhere (typically 0.5%-2%), although a few countries have reported problem gambling prevalence rates of above 3% ... The current prevalence rates of probable pathological gambling (scoring 5 or more on the DSM- IV) in Great Britain was 0.3%, in Sweden 0.3%, in Iceland 0.6%, in Norway 0.3% and in Denmark 0.1%. (Dr. Mark Griffiths, International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham, Trent University)

2011/07/19
Committee: ECON

Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. insists on the need to dissuade players from engaging in illegal gambling, which means that lawful services must be provided as a system that is coherent across the whole of Europe, especially in terms of tax treatment, and applies common standards of accountability and integrity, involving exchanges of best practice between Member States;

2011/07/19
Committee: ECON

Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. stresses the need for a scientific study of the extent of compulsive gambling at European level, so as to provide objective justification for internal market restrictions designed to protect consumers from addiction and fraud;

2011/07/19
Committee: ECON

4 Amendments of Theodoros SKYLAKAKIS related to 2011/2084(INI)

ParlTrack - 2011-2024