European Lotteries has voiced its welcoming of a European Parliament vote in favour of adopting a negotiating position on the new Digital Services Act, designed in part to help combat illegal online gambling.
The DSA is a future European Union regulation aiming to ‘create a safer digital space in which users’ rights are protected through rules to tackle illegal products, services or content online’, as well as enhancing the accountability of algorithms and moderating content.
In a vote this week, the European Parliament voted heavily in favour of the act, with 530 votes for to 78, with 80 abstentions.
“EL Members strongly believe in a high level of consumer protection and are fully committed to the fight against illegal online gambling. The DSA foresees a number of new provisions that could be beneficial to this end.
“EL hopes that these will be at the disposal of its Members, most notably an improved notice-and-action mechanism, the concept of trusted flaggers and enhanced consumer protection and know-your-business-customer requirements,” commented Arjan van ‘t Veer, EL Secretary-General.
Back in November, EL insisted that the EU Council exclude explicit mention of online gambling and betting services from the DSA, claiming that any reference to gambling or betting services within the context of freedom of establishment ‘implies that national regulations on illegal content in the gambling sector are often not in compliance with EU law.’
Subsequently, tweaks were made to the bill that ‘include a more transparent and informed choice for the recipients of digital services’.
Firstly, the bill imposes a ban on the targeting of advertisements based on the data of minors, ensuring the online safety of those aged under 18.
Moreover, the bill prohibits targeting individuals on the basis of special categories of data that allow for targeting vulnerable groups.
Lastly, recipients of digital services and the organisations representing them must be able to seek any damages resulting from platforms not complying with due diligence obligations.
Arjan van ‘t Veer added: “Today EL welcomes the support by MEPs, in particular by Rapporteur Christel Schaldemose to improve the European Commission’s proposal to create a safer digital space for everyone. This marks a milestone update in the regulation of the Internet in the EU.”