The Regulation of Gambling at European Level : The Balance to Be Found

This article seeks to illustrate some of the balances which need to be reached in gambling regulation in the context of the internal market. Such balances are to be found at both the national and European levels. Although the regulation of gambling is currently a national competence, Member States have to consider the impact of the case-law of the European Court of Justice. Consequently the balance of interests which Member States seek to achieve at national level must be striven for in a manner compatible with Community law. This is a balancing exercise in itself. Further, cross-border consequences arise from nationally-oriented approaches, offering both possible solutions and problems for the regulation of gambling in the European Union