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The Gaming Regulators European Forum, or GREF in its abbreviated form, was founded in 1989 and consists of representatives from gaming regulatory organisations throughout Europe. Its two main objects as stated in its constitution are:
-
to provide a forum in which
European gaming regulators can meet, exchange views and information and
discuss policy on gaming matters; and
- on special occasions and with the agreement of participants represent the different views of European gaming regulators and also provide a central point of contact for enquiries directed at them from authorities or related organisations in Europe and elsewhere.
At its meeting in Riga,
Latvia, from 12 to 15 June 2003, 66 participants were present from 22
European countries (Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United
Kingdom).
Invited guest speakers were Mr. Maris Elerts (Latvian Development Agency) on
Latvian developments and Mr. Peter Bertilsson (Boss Media AB) on
technological developments in gambling.
A visit was made to the Aladins Club Casino in Riga.
Under the chairmanship of Lars Lundholm (Sweden), major items on the agenda
were legal and technological developments regarding gambling in Europe.
Reports were given by all delegations on significant developments during the
last year in their countries, such as major changes in general policies or
regulations regarding gaming (including developments on Internet gambling),
developments in specific areas (problem gambling, money laundering, illegal
gambling, cross border trading) and significant developments in the gambling
industries (lotteries, betting, casinos, bingo, slot machines).
In small break out groups and during the plenary session, delegates
discussed legal and technological developments regarding gambling in Europe.
In the light of technological developments such as the Internet and
interactive satellite television, what is the European gambling market going
to look like in 5 years time? What are your country's strategies for the
changing market? Can you continue to regulate your market by your own
efforts or will international co-operation become essential? These questions
were debated lively.
This year, the biannual election of the Executive Board of GREF also took
place. The Forum re-elected Lars Lundholm (Sweden) as the Chairman of GREF.
Other members of the Executive Board (re-)elected were Tom Kavanagh (United
Kingdom), Eric van Vondelen (Netherlands), Signe Birne (Latvia), Anniken
Støylen (Norway), Antonio Guerrero Olea (Spain), Marc Callu (Belgium) and
Andela Toth Sesar (Croatia).
The Forum agreed that next year's meeting will take place in Oslo, Norway,
from 10 to 13 June.
More information on GREF is available at its web site (www.gref.net) and
through its secretary Tom Kavanagh (Gaming Board for Great Britain, tel. +
44-207-30662553) or its administrator Eric van Vondelen (Netherlands gaming
control board, tel. + 31-70-3614422).
