1. The Gaming Regulators European Forum consists of representatives from gaming regulatory organisations throughout Europe. Its two main objects as stated in its constitution are:

1. to provide a forum in which European gaming regulators can meet, exchange views and information and discuss policy on gaming matters; and
   
   
2. on special occasions and with the agreement of members 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 Helsinki in May 1998, the Forum agreed this position statement on Internet gambling. As an association of experts in gambling regulation, it offers the statement as a set of recommendations of good practice for the consideration of the appropriate regulatory bodies and Governments of individual member countries, whether at national or autonomous regional level. It acknowledges that the countries will wish to consider, and if necessary adapt, the statement in the light of their particular legal, social, cultural and economic circumstances.

2. The Gaming Regulators European Forum regards the regulation of gambling (that is gaming, betting and lotteries) as a matter for the competence and jurisdiction of individual countries, in the light of their particular social, cultural and economic conditions. It therefore follows that it is a matter for individual Governments, either at national or at autonomous regional level, whether or not they wish to permit any forms of gambling to be offered on the Internet in their territories and, if they do, under what circumstances or conditions particular forms of gambling are to be allowed. Any such decisions should be respected by other jurisdictions.

3. If a jurisdiction is to permit forms of gambling to be offered on the Internet, the members of GREF regard it as important that:

(i) those to be permitted to offer such forms of gambling should be subject to the same level of investigation and probity and other checks as is applied to traditional, terrestrial gambling operators.
(ii) those so licensed should be required to establish their operation in the territory of the jurisdiction concerned so that the operation can be properly controlled an policed.
(iii) the gambling so offered should be restricted to residents of the jurisdiction concerned and residents of such other jurisdictions with whom there are co-operative or reciprocal arrangements.

4. As a matter of good practice, those permitting such gambling should also address such issues as:

• the methods to be used to ensure that such operations are fairly conducted and the players are fully aware of the rules that apply.
• the methods of ensuring that such operations are not used as a means also of conducting any illegal activities, in particular for money laundering.
• the permitted arrangements for paying for wagers on the gambling offered, including restrictions on the granting of credit.
• the methods of protecting and guaranteeing the funds deposited and the monies won by the players.
• the means of ensuring that no players are under the legally permitted age for the appropriate form of gambling in the jurisdiction concerned.
• the means and level of protection to be offered to compulsive gamblers and others who have difficulty in controlling their gambling.
• the controls to be placed on advertising, particularly in respect of jurisdictions which do not permit such gambling or do not welcome such advertising.
• the methods to be used to protect the privacy of the players and the confidentiality of the information provided by them.
• the methods to be used to ensure data protection and security of transmission.
• the methods to be used to ensure that tests and checks are conducted regarding the randomness of the games and, including EDP-audits, regarding the electronic gaming systems used by the operators