Europe has seen a lot of changes in the landscape of sports betting legislation over the years. Finally, we will conclude by acknowledging how key historical events, social changes and technical innovations have all contributed to this framework in which betting is now conducted. These laws are shaped by advances in the gambling regulations, consumer protection and market dynamics which are all factors affecting how bookmakers run their business around the continent.
The Background of Sports Betting Legislation
Sports betting in Europe was notoriously undefined back in the day. Because gambling was conducted with virtually no supervision, available forms of betting were varied. The betting ring was subject to local customs and traditions, and many informal understandings existed between punters and bookmakers. The lack of regulation in an essentially unregulated environment left consumers extremely vulnerable; there were few safeguards and little oversight.
It was not until the turn of the 20th century that Europe started its prime gambling legislation overhaul. The next step in the legalisation process was countries accepting formal betting markets needed frameworks to regulate these activities, guarantee legitimacy and protect consumers. A particular landmark was the United Kingdom Betting and Gaming Act passed in 1960 which legalised betting shops with licences being granted to individuals; this ceased Dutch Schultz offering affiliates a large network of grass correlated neighbourhood Lincoln racing gambling sites. It was hailed in many quarters as a progressive move to bring under control an industry that had operated underground until then.
