Recently in Denmark Category

The Right2bet World Cup Report, published last week, has evoked a strong reaction across the online gambling industry, with consumers, consumer groups and operators all coming forward to comment on the report's findings.

The report exclusively revealed that European gambling monopolies offered their customers, on average, 32% worse odds during the World Cup than private and licensed betting operators, and the response across Europe has been one of shock and dismay.

Consumers across Europe contacted Right2bet to voice their reaction to the report.

Julien Beaudet in France said: "As a French player I now feel extremely limited and frustrated with regards to my playing experience. Consumers have been totally denigrated by the supposed French 'liberalisation' and it is totally unfair."

David Atkins of Amsterdam commented: "It never ceases to amaze me how monopolies like De Lotto get away with such blatant exploitation of customers.  This report shows first-hand how much people in the Netherlands and many other EU countries are losing out and I hope it acts as a catalyst to drive the change we need to enable free and fair access to online private operators."

Luca Pappalardo, Chairman of Italian Consumer group ACOGI, said: "We strongly agree with and applaud the output of this report. Even in Member States like Italy where there is no monopoly, the high burdens and barriers to entry make it almost impossible for many operators and as a result, Italian consumers are punished."

Martin Arendts, a prominent online gambling lawyer in Germany, told Right2bet: "A level playing field between state operators and licensed private operators would give customers freedom of choice and would prohibit unfair monopoly gains. With fair competition customers would get a far better value for their money."

Operators too were quick to comment on the report:

Ciaran O'Brien, Head of PR at Ladbrokes commented: "Consumer freedom and choice is at the heart of fundamental EU principles, yet as the Right2bet report shows, millions of Europeans are being denied the choice and the value that healthy competition provides. We urge the Commission to study the findings of the report and do more to rectify the unjust balance that exists between EU citizens living within different Member States."

Tim Phillips, Director of European Public Affairs at Betfair said: "An open and fairly regulated European gambling market is the best way of ensuring that all European consumers are getting the best value in a safe and transparent online environment. The Right2bet report shows quite clearly that consumers are the ultimate losers in Member States where gambling monopolies exist."
 
Right2bet spokesman Mike Robb was delighted with the widespread appreciation of the report.  He said: "I am pleased that the startling results of the report have reached individuals and groups within the online gambling world across Europe. We now urge the European Commission to study the findings and do more to rectify an unjust situation that is to the detriment of millions of European consumers."

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.

Liverpool have had a bad run of results of late and failed to get a home win once again this weekend, this time against big-spending Manchester City.  Rafa Benitez is under real pressure to deliver results now and restlessness from The Kop can be heard a million miles away.

The Anfield faithful might well be upset, but if you are a Liverpool fan from France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden or Denmark you should be in tears this morning.

If you had been savvy enough to have a bet on the draw, just to dampen the pain of not winning, you would have got odds of 3.46 with the best private operator, meaning winnings of €24.60 with which to buy yourself a consolatory beer.

Had you bet with any of the monopoly gambling operators in the countries listed above, you'd have been lucky to have enough for the bus fare home.

Liverpool v Manchester City: Odds On The Draw

FDJ (Fra)                                  3.0
De Lotto (Ned)                       2.95
Svenska Spel (Swe)             2.2
Danske Spil (Den)                3.25
Lotto Bayern (Ger)                2.8
Best Private Operator*       3.46

 

Profit From A 10 Euro Bet On The Draw

FDJ                                         €20
De Lotto                                €19.50
Svenska Spel                       €12
Danske Spil                          €22.50
Lotto Bayern                         €18
Best Private Operator*       €24.60

Profits From The Challenge So Far (after seven bets)

FDJ                                            €124 (-30%)
De Lotto                                    €133.4 (-25%)
Best Private Operator*          €176.80

 

Profits From The Challenge So Far (after two bets)

Svenska Spel (Swe)               €55.50 (-42.6%)
Danske Spil (Den)                   €87.50 (-10%)
Lotto Bayern (Ger)                  €58 (-40%)
Best Private Operator*          €96.80

 

Do you want us to cover the odds in a particular game from where you are?  We can do no problem, send us an email (mike@right2bet.net) and we'll get it done!

 

*Note: throughout this challenge any applicable commission associated with private operators has been taken off the weekly and total winnings.

 

The European Commission issued a detailed opinion against the Danish proposal to regulate online gaming and betting on 6 October 2009. The draft legislation is intended to regulate both the on - and offline gaming and betting market in Denmark.

Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of EGBA said: "We support the Danish government's intention to move towards a regulated opening of the online gaming market, but this has to be done in compliance with EC law requirements. We welcome the European Commission´s continued resolve to ensure that all gaming and betting legislation in the EU complies with the core principles of the EC Treaty."

The Danish draft law was notified to the European Commission and the other Member States on 7 July 2009. The draft text was made publicly available upon notification but the Danish government later invoked the confidentiality procedure.

According to the EGBA, a number of key provisions are highly doubtful under EC law, including:

• The licensing regime fails to take into account securities and controls already offered by other EU jurisdictions, in conflict with   jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice;
• Continued monopoly on inter alia pool betting for horse racing;
• Introduction of ISP and financial transactions blocking and a marketing ban;
• Prohibition for non-Danish residents to participate in Danish licensed games.

According to Sigrid Ligné; "EU consumers demand a diverse, safe and secure online gaming and betting offer. More and more Member States are responding to these demands by moving away from their existing system of a gambling monopoly to a licensing system adapted to the Internet. We support the Danish government´s intentions but emphasize the need to ensure that any new legal framework is compliant with the EC Treaty. We would welcome an opportunity to share our expertise and knowledge of other licensing regimes in the EU to ensure an effective regime can be introduced at the earliest opportunity."  
     
Today's detailed opinion extends the standstill period until 9 November, during which time Denmark cannot adopt its draft legislation. Denmark is required to reply to the Commission's views before adopting the legislation. If Denmark adopts the current text without taking into account the Commission's objections, the Commission can immediately launch infringement proceedings.