London/Munich/Zurich, January 5, 2010 – Currently, the French liberalisation plans are probably getting most of the industry’s attention. But in the background, at times almost neglected, several other countries, such as Switzerland, are setting about liberalising parts of their gambling market. Switzerland heads for market liberalisation even though there is no pressure from external parties, such as the European Commission or the WTO. This is a unique situation and makes Switzerland a potential role model for other non-EU markets (e.g., US).

Undoubtedly the last four month were the busiest ever in terms of striking developments in the Italian gaming market. Such a boost to an otherwise traditionally patchy and slow-paced regulatory process was due to the combined effect of tragic events (the earthquake that rocked a Central Italy historic city called L’Aquila last April) and the Treasury’s permanent hunt of fresh taxable revenues to heal the Budget deficit.

Privatization comes in handy. Is seems to be a magic tonic. Daily we hear people talking about “privatizations”. One can privatize, Roads, Schools, Golf Courses, Airports, Postal Services, Energy, Prisons, Marinas, Water, Nursing Homes… …and GAMBLING. “Gambling-Privatization” is an other panacea, where Governments are suddenly focusing on as a desirable target: Why not privatize it? It will only be a matter of time. Governments need the money and the cash rich gambling operators have that money.

“The Danish gaming legislation can be characterized as a difficult balancing act between consideration for tradition and the desire to nevertheless permit a gaming market”, The future of gaming in Denmark.
 Under heavy pressure of the European Commission the Danish Government revealed plans to implement a regulated and liberalization of the gaming market.

After expanding in continental and southern Europe, the global gambling industry is now going east and focusing on the Balkan states and Eastern Europe for its further expansion. Especially the Balkan states are increasingly drawing a lot of interest, despite – or perhaps because – of the current global economic crisis. And the key figures of the Balkan gambling market account for this interest…

London/Munich, January 29, 2008: Despite many similarities, the Belgian and Dutch gambling markets differ widely in several aspects. Whereas in the Dutch market a monopolistic/oligopolistic market structure still prevails, the Belgian market has for some time already been on the way – step by step – to increasing liberalisation. The consulting firm MECN’s new study “The Belgian and Dutch Gambling Markets” analyses both markets in detail.