This weekend the betting challenge went (in mind not body, unfortunately) to sunny Spain for a look at the Barcelona v Valencia match-up.

It was a huge game for Barca, who had to win to keep up with Real Madrid.  It's no surprise, therefore, that the Catalan giants raised their game and came away with a 3-0 victory against third-placed Valencia, who can now definitely forget any hope of a top two finish.

It was a short-odds victory this week, but yet again we see you, the betting public, losing out as a result of archaic and protectionist laws.  Here's the result in numbers:

Odds on a Barca win:
FDJ (Fra): 1.35
De Lotto (Ned): 1.25
Svenska Spel (Swe): 1.38
Danske Spil (Den): 1.35
Lotto Bayern (Ger): 1.35
Best Private Operator: 1.42

Profit on a €10 bet on a draw:
FDJ: €3.50
De Lotto: €2.50
Svenska Spel: €3.80
Danske Spil: €3.50
Lotto Bayern: €3.50
Best Private Operator: €4.20

Profit From Challenge So Far:

(After 17 Weeks)
FDJ: €290.50
De Lotto: €294.50
Best Private Operator: €383.70

(After 12 Weeks)

Svenska Spel: €225.10
Danske Spil: €252
Lotto Bayern: €227
Best Private Operator: €308.70

So not a massive difference this week as Barcelona were always fancied to come away from this one with a vicotyr, by both monopolies and private operators alike.

One obvious point this weekend is The Netherlands, where De Lotto shows how out of touch it is with the rest of Europe's monopolies, let alone the private operators, offering a measly 1.25, compared with 1.35 from the next-worst monopoly and 1.42 from the private sector.

Sign our petition today, and add your name to the fight for freedom of choice in the EU. We need your support and with it, we're confident of making our voices heard.