MEP says EU must make online gambling "legitimate"

[The Buzz]

The European Parliament is celebrating its third "Responsible Gaming Day" with gaming industry executives and legislators have been giving speeches. MEP Timothy Kirkhope is hosting the event and says the industry must be made "legitimate."

From Card Player:

"This is a golden opportunity to begin to set in place a level playing field for a sector which is struggling with a patchwork of different rules. I have great faith in Commissioner Barnier that he will take heed of our discussions today, and begin to work out a strategy to ensure that online gambling can become a legitimate part of the internal market."

[Anthony]

Finally a voice of reason.

"Regulation must be harmonized so that consumers receive similar high protection regardless of where they play"

[Betpartners]

Yet his voice of reason is somewhat muted

He is a member of the British conservative party and in the European parliament the conservative party removed themselves from the one of the main party blocks in the Parliament and along with the Czechs and Polish right leaning parties formed a much smaller political bloc.

In better words Kirkhope is a member of an alliance of just 54 MEPS out of 736 MEPS, basically a small minority,

So while it is good to hear a MEP states these words, his influence is rather small.

[davenewgates]

That's a good start IMHO. If all responsible online gambling operators would join together for one voice to plead on making the industry legitimate, I think that there can be a higher chance of it being done so.