(Jamma) What can be done to ensure that those involved in the organization of sporting events can receive a share of the financial benefits of online betting? The Irish MEP Liam Aylward, belonging to the Alde group, asked for it to the European Commission in July. To answer the question today, Michel Barnier, Commissioner for the Internal Market who clarified how "The Commission has recognized in its Communication "Developing the European dimension in sport" that players in the sport chain are continually faced with new challenges in relation to the persistence of unauthorized profits made by of gambling.
Regulatory approaches – he said – vary between Member States in the areas related to intellectual property rights and gambling activities, in particular as regards the scope of intellectual property rights of organizers of sporting events. In its Communication "Towards a comprehensive European framework for online gambling", the Commission urged Member States to consider sustainable funding of sport integrity measures.
In order to further explore the nature and scope of property rights held by organizers of sports competitions, the Commission has launched an external study whose results are expected in the second half of 2013. The purpose of the study - he concluded - is to provide a comprehensive analysis of issues relating to the rights of sports organizers from a European point of view and to make suggestions as to whether Community action is needed to address any problems encountered in this respect”.
