21-03-2007 Denmark, Finland and Hungary get a final warning

The European Commission has demanded that the three countries open their sports betting markets to foreign competition. "The measures taken by these member states to restrict the free movement of sports betting services have not been shown to be necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory," the EC said.

Finland, Denmark and Hungary have now two months to amend their current legislations. The European Commission is also making final enquiries in relation to Germany and the Netherlands.

"We hope that the countries addressed by today's decision will now engage quickly in the necessary reforms. There are several other Member States that are under similar investigation and we invite them to move towards recognition and licensing schemes for the European private online operators to compete cross border in the internal market," said in a statement the European Betting Association.