Bwin

Full Review Bwin

Bwin provide Europe’s biggest betting line-up of sports bets and are the Number 1 online. How about some numbers? Bwin offers up to 8,000 bets daily with betting action in more than 80 sports – that’s a record, too. Here’s another number: The entire line-up is available in 20 different languages. And Bwin promises there are more to come.

Enjoy gripping entertainment online: thrilling sports bets with a unique L!VE feeling – get closer to the action than ever before. And then there's the casino atmosphere at its finest; live poker and numerous games for that short break in-between. Join bwin to get away from your daily routine and enter a world full of emotions.


Licenses and regulatory environment

Licences

As operator of the platform www.bwin.com, bwin International Ltd. holds two licenses from the government of Gibraltar, one authorising the company to organise sports bets (gaming license No. 00005), and one authorising the company to operate an online casino (gaming license no. 00011). bwin International Ltd. is therefore subject to the strict supervisory requirements of the government of Gibraltar which, to date, has granted licenses to only 19 companies. Pursuant to Art 299 (4) of the EC Treaty, the basic European freedoms also apply to Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s standard of regulation essentially corresponds to that of Great Britain. Thus, bwin International Ltd. is meeting not only the requirements set by the Government of Gibraltar, but, in the interest of its customers, is also observing the code of conduct drawn up by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). The EBGA stipulates strict standards in terms of security and responsible handling of themes such as the protection of minors and gaming addiction.



Regulatory environment

In light of the fact that there is no clearly defined legal framework for online gaming in most countries and market access for private operators is restricted in most cases to protect state monopolies, the industry is characterised by a certain degree of legal precariousness.



Europe

Developments in the European online gaming industry are primarily determined by decisions made at the European level. The principles defined by what is termed the Gambelli decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) were further clarified by the ruling in the “Placanica” case and in two gaming-related decisions of the EFTA Court in the spring of 2007. Accordingly, any restriction to gaming which aims to protect public interests (such as consumer protection) must contribute in a “consistent and systematic” manner to its containment. A member state may not invoke the necessity of restricting public access to games of chance if at the same time it encourages its citizens to participate in state-run lotteries, games of chance or bets to the benefit of the public purse. In addition, any restriction of the freedom to provide services must be justified by its suitability to realise the set objective and may not exceed the scope required to achieve this objective. In the Placanica ruling, the European Court of Justice finally decided that a member state may not impose penal sanctions for failure to meet an administrative formality (national license) if it has rejected or prevented fulfilment of such formality in contravention of community law.



Also with the European Commission, all signs indicate an opening of the gaming sector. Since April 2006, the Commission has instigated infringement proceedings against ten member states because it believes that these states with their national rules are breaking European law. The proceedings against France, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Greece and the Netherlands are currently in their second stage.