Today the council of the European Union, the legislative body in which the governments of the 25 EU member states are represented, has decided to exclude gambling activities, including lotteries, casinos and betting transactions, from the directive on services in the internal market. The council herewith follows the decision of its co-legislator, the European Parliament, which had voted for the exclusion of gambling activities on 16 February 2006.

Dr. Winfried Wortmann, President of the European Lotteries association said, "With their decision to exclude gambling activities from the scope of the directive, member states and the European Parliament show responsibility and awareness that gambling is an activity of a very particular and sensitive nature. Gambling should certainly not be treated like any other service." This position has been consistently upheld in the european court of Justice's jurisprudence. Lotteries and toto organisations play a key role in controlling gambling behaviour in the member states. They also provide important continuous financial support to many public causes such as research, charity and sports organisations, for many of which the support is indispensable.

European Lotteries warn that uncontrolled gambling could lead to an unwanted proliferation of problem gambling, an increase in the social and health costs for society and a substantial distortion of public order in the member states. Considering gambling at a European level requires a very careful study of various aspects such as health, crime and the overall impact on the civil society.

With both EU legislative bodies supporting the exclusion of gambling activities in first reading, European Lotteries are positive that this decision will be upheld during the second reading in autumn and subsequently become law, binding upon all EU member states.

Representing 74 organisations across Europe, European Lotteries is the association of the European state lotteries and toto companies.