Representatives from the Sports Rights Owners Coalition met with key EU decision-makers to call for much stronger protection of the integrity of sport and a fair financial return from sports betting.
At the meeting, the European Parliament, Member States and the Commission were called upon to address the phenomenon of online gambling in the EU and the major cross-border threat for sports bodies, public authorities and the European consumer that irregular betting activities represents.
The sports bodies emphasised that the recognition of a clear “competition organiser’s right” would be a very positive development for sport, and fully supports French sports organisations in their campaign at national level to promote sport’s integrity and secure a fair financial return for competition organisers.
France, currently holder of the EU Presidency, is in the process of reforming its national betting regulations. It was stressed that the controlled opening, which the French government has announced, offers a historic opportunity to recognise the “competition organiser’s right” and to establish a best practice model for other countries.
