The new EU regulation will oblige member states to provide ai its citizens a standardized method of electronic identification at European level to allow citizens to identify and authenticate their identity online.
The European Gambling and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomes the European Parliament's recent approval of a regulation establishing a new European Digital Identity (e-ID). Parliament's approval of e-ID marks a significant milestone on the path towards a more secure and inclusive digital environment for all citizens of the European Union (EU). The new e-ID will be a transformation tool that addresses various digital issues.
According to the regulation, adopted by Parliament on 29 February, e-ID will allow citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online without having to rely on commercial providers – a practice that has in the past raised trust, security and privacy concerns related to data sharing of consumers with third-party platforms. Using this standardized, non-commercial method of identification will provide greater privacy protection for consumers. Additionally, e-ID improves security by providing consumers and businesses with a reliable, standardized means of online identification, minimizing the risk of identity theft and fraud.
This simplified approach will not only increase user confidence in digital transactions, but will also reduce administration costs for businesses, including gambling operators, by providing a single verification tool that they can use across the EU instead of paying high fees for using databases. The success of e-ID will obviously depend on a high participation rate among citizens. The use of e-ID will be completely voluntary for citizens and businesses, including gambling operators. Therefore, gaming operators have the flexibility to determine whether they want to integrate the e-ID tool into their customer knowledge processes.
EGBA has been a supporter of e-ID since it was proposed by the European Commission in 2021, recognizing its potential to revolutionize the way online services are accessed and used in the EU, offering a simplified and secure means for individuals to verify their identity and engage in various digital activities. Following the proposal, the EGBA encouraged the EU institutions to ensure that businesses, including gambling operators, can access and use the e-ID and benefit from its use. For the online gambling industry, e-ID has particular significance, as it provides players with an easy, secure, reliable option to confirm their identity in the EU.
The e-ID law, which amends the EU eIDAS regulation, will now have to be formally approved by the EU Council of Ministers before its official adoption, expected before summer 2024. As a regulation, it will automatically apply in all states members of the EU since its adoption.
"We welcome the European Parliament's approval of a unified digital identity framework and are confident that the use of the new e-ID in our industry will lead to a smoother and more reliable online experience for players and helps reduce costs and administration for gambling operators. This innovative tool represents an important step towards building a more secure and user-friendly digital ecosystem by aligning with EGBA's core objectives of promoting integrity, transparency and a safe, gaming-focused environment consumer". He commented Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA.
