Some awesome news today for European web surfers. Web surfers can access pirate sites now, because ISPs can not be forced to monitor or block users! Internet freedom organizations are extremely delighted by this news.

This awesome news is thanks to the European Court of Justice, which ruled today that content owners can no longer instruct user’s broadband companies to track or block them. The ruling from the European Court of Justice is as follows: “EU law precludes the imposition of an injunction by a national court which requires an Internet service provider to install a filtering system with a view to preventing the illegal downloading of files.”

For those that don’t get quite how significant this actually is, here’s the best way to understand. Sometimes, when a web user downloads something, they get half way, and then somehow, they get cut off from the web. In this case, that is likely to be an ISP that has been monitoring what you’ve been up to online. If ISPs spot web users downloading or illegally downloading copyrighted material, there’s a chance they’ll kick you off the Internet.

Thanks to the European Court of Justice, ISPs can no longer do this! Rejoice! No more download interruptions, no more getting kicked off the Internet, and no more worrying about ISPs.

Members of the European Parlament have approved a non-binding resolution that calls for greater cooperation between European Union member states on online gambling. The resolution was lead by German MEP Jürgen Creutzmann, and is the follow up to the European Commission’s March 2011 Online Gambling Green Paper. The resolution by German MEP Jürgen Creutzmann was approved by a show of hands, and asked the European Council to end unnecessary licensing duplication, administrative burdens, and take action against European Union treaty violations. Many MEP’s want the European Council to conduct a study on creating an operator blacklist as well as blocking transactions between financial institutions and blacklisted operators.

One MEP voiced her opinion on the resolution, and expressed she was less than impressed, because she felt that the resolution was for the most part, a vote to maintain gambling monopolies that are currently in place in member states. These gambling monopolies are very lucrative, so that also is a factor in why Ashley Fox, MEP for South West England and Gibraltar wasn’t impressed. Ashley Fox referred to online gambling as “a reality that will not stop at national boundaries,” and labeled the resolution “a missed opportunity … Protectionism has won over common sense.”

This week, a much needed conference of the European Union (EU) parliamentarians and industry representatives happened, with the collective objective to find a way ahead for online gambling. Each member state decides their stance on online gambling, and unfortunately, there has been much fragmentation between each state, as well as complications. There are also court actions by online gambling companies against state owned monopolies which have also made things complicated.

Many representatives of member nations wanted harmonized legislation across the European Union, and then at the same time, went so far as to have it qualified with a rider that would serve individual member states, and allow them to enact rules to suit their national interests.

The European Parliament’s response to the Green Paper consultative initiative is being drawn up by German liberal MEP Creutzmann, He has voiced his opinion on online gambling regulation, saying that member states should be able to decide how they would like to regulate online gambling for theirselves. The only real benefit of having harmonized legislation across the European Union is that national regulators will keep each other informed on their policies, and incidents of fraud or revocation of licenses can be communicated.

Online gambling regulation is a big concern for many, especially with so many offshore online casino operators that are legal and illegal. One thing is for sure, online gambling regulation has many benefits all around, including player safety.

Last year, Greece was one of the few European countries to ban online gambling, but it seems now that the country’s government is changing its tune. Seeing how profitable online gambling legislation has been for other countries in the European Union, Greece has now drafted its own bill that would legalize and regulate the online gambling industry in the country.

Currently, residents of Greece spend more than $4 billion each year at online gambling websites that are running illegally in the country. With the new bill, the government hopes to recover some of that lost income, using it to help recover from its current financial situation.

Despite having been bailed out last year and avoiding bankruptcy, Greece is still having a hard time repaying its loans. So, the prospect of regulating an activity that its citizens already take part in seems more than fair, as well as being a beneficial solution to the problem.

The draft bill that has been drawn up for the legislation states that 15 to 50 operators will received licenses to operate within the country. There has been no word yet on whether or not it will be passed.

PlayTech Will now be providing software for popular Italian Operator Buongiorno, which already hosts a wide range of online gaming activities online. Buongiorno currently hosts online poker and bingo and the new deal with PlayTech will see the addition of a casino games section to its website.

The deal was made this month, but will only be completed when Italy’s new online gambling laws take effect early in the new year. Then, customers in Italy will be able to experience the amazing online casino games that PlayTech is well-known for providing. Later in the year, the two companies will be working together to launch mobile applications for casino fans in Italy.

Buorgiono has over 10 years experience in gaming and PlayTech will add its online expertise to make the new casino offerings a favourite in Italy’s online gambling market.

This is a great opportunity for PlayTech, as it sees the popular online gaming designer expanding into previously untapped markets. Italy’s online gambling industry is worth millions and PlayTech is getting in from the ground up. There has yet to be any other word from other operators looking to expand into Italy’s market.

Across Europe, many countries have attempted to ban online casinos in order to keep government-run monopolies intact. In order to do this, they state that online casino operators from international locations are prohibited from offering their services to players in the country. However, Cyprus hopes to ban the activity altogether, stating that online gambling opens up more doors for crime to take place in the country.

The European Union does not allow countries to ban operators from other nations from offering their services to residents. It is against the EU’s requirement for free trade among member states.

Portugal filed a similar claim, hoping to ban online casinos in hopes of maintaining the country’s low crime rate. Despite the European Union’s free trade regulations, the motion was passed and Portugal became the first European country to successfully ban online casinos.

Industry insiders are not so sure that Cyprus will be as fortunate. Many precedents have been set since Portugal’s legislations were passed and it is likely that Cyprus’ legislation to ban online gambling will be rejected.

In the UK, the government has imposed high gambling taxes on online casino operators, which has forced some of the biggest brands out of the country and towards offshore locations. The country of Denmark is trying to avoid a similar situation by attempt to reduce its tax regulations for online gambling websites, but the European Commission is convinced that there is an ulterior motive behind this move.

Currently, land-based casinos in Denmark pay 75% tax on all wagers, and the country’s government hopes to reduce the online casino industry’s taxes to 20%. While most government do the opposite to ensure that land-based casinos continue to do business, Denmark wants to keep its online gambling websites in business instead.

Online casino operators are elated at this interesting change of events, but the European Commission is not sure what to make of it. Because the situation is so strange and uncommon, the European Commission has launched an investigation into the matter.

To help with the investigation, the European Union is asking that members from other EU states weigh in on the matter. These types of investigations often take days to conduct, so the commission is looking for all the help it can get.

Sweden has been lobbying to keep online gambling advertisements illegal and finally got the okay from the European Justice Court (EJC).  The Swedish government does not approve of the idea of online gambling ads because they promote a potentially addictive behaviour.

After two major Swedish newspapers printed online sports betting ads, the government went after the editors and publishers, citing the laws against any form of gambling advertisements.   The newspapers were fined for their transgressions but appealed to the European Justice Court in the hopes of having the decision overthrown.

Unfortunately for online casinos and the Swedish newspapers in question, the European Justice Court ruled in favour of the Swedish government and agreed that all forms of online gambling advertisements are illegal.

The EJC found that Sweden is not in violation of the European Union laws since the prohibition of online gambling advertisements considers public security.  However, the EJC did warn Sweden that any fines imposed on those who violate the gambling advertisement laws would have to be in accordance with the European Union.  Therefore, fines cannot exceed those set by other European Union member countries. 

The decision significantly affects the online gambling industry and is considered a major setback.  There is still a chance that the laws will be changed in the future but for now online gamblers will have to use word of mouth to choose an online casino rather than advertisements.