EGBA believes European electronic identity will have positive impacts on gaming industry

The European Gambling and Betting Association (EGBA) has backed the EU Commission’s new proposal to instate an electronic identity wallet (e-ID) which it says could have “significant and positive impacts on how customer identity is verified in Europe’s online gambling sector”.

On 3rd June, the European Commission announced plans to introduce an electronic identification that will allow European citizens to authenticate themselves to access services in both the public and private sectors.

Under the new Regulation, Member States will offer citizens and businesses digital wallets that will be able to link their national digital identities with proof of other personal attributes (e.g. driving licence, diplomas, bank account). These wallets may be provided by public authorities or by private entities, provided they are recognised by a Member State.

The EGBA believes the introduction of this e-ID will benefit customers by providing a reliable and easy method for online betting customers, operators by providing a streamlined method for compliance with the national Know-Your-Customer requirements and lastly, regulators, by offering a standardised method of identifying customers and positively impacting the fight against criminal and fraudulent activity.

Director of the EGBA Ekaterina Hartmann commented that “an ever-increasing number of Europeans are using online services and a common electronic identification method would help them to access online services in a practical, secure way which safeguards their data.

“We welcome the proposal for a Europe-wide e-ID, which would have significant positive impacts on the way KYC is conducted in Europe’s online gambling sector and help establish more common approaches to identity verification. An EU e-ID would, for example, help strengthen existing processes to prevent minors from accessing online gambling and to fight fraud and money laundering”, Ms Hartmann added

Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said: “EU citizens not only expect a high level of security but also convenience whether they are dealing with national administrations such as to submit a tax return or to enrol at a European university where they need official identification.

Mr Bretton continued that “the European Digital Identity wallets offer a new possibility for them to store and use data for all sorts of services, from checking in at the airport to renting a car. It is about giving a choice to consumers, a European choice. Our European companies, large and small, will also benefit from this digital identity, they will be able to offer a wide range of new services since the proposal offers a solution for secure and trusted identification services.”

Featured Image: European Commission