The European Union (EU) Monday adopted preventive measures to encourage EU Member States to pursue a high level of protection for players and minors through the adoption of principles for online gambling services and for responsible advertising and sponsorship of those services.
The aims of the principles are to safeguard health and to minimise the eventual economic harm that may result from compulsive or excessive gambling, said the European Commission in a statement.
Children are also increasingly at risk, due to the fact that they use the internet more and more for information or entertainment, and can easily come into contact with gambling advertising and gambling websites.
With about 7 million EU consumers participating in online gambling services, the EU online gambling market represents 45% of the world market share.
It is estimated that between 0.1-0.8 percent of the general adult population in Europe suffers a gambling disorder and an additional 0.1-2.2 percent demonstrate problematic gambling involvement.