Dear European Gaming Regulators – welcome to Oslo.

It is a pleasure for me to open the GREF annual meeting 2004 and to welcome all the delegates to Norway. GREF is an important forum for exchanging views on gaming and lotteries. This is especially important in a time when technical and social developments raise new questions and challenges within this field.

Looking at the recent development of the gaming market with regard to the distribution of gaming possibilities via the Internet and other electronic media, it is obvious that a global co-operation is more vital than ever before. I hope this meeting and the experience and knowledge that lies within the members of GREF may contribute to European regulators being responsible and promoting co-operative solutions.

The development of the gaming market – national enforcement
Gaming and lotteries have always been regarded as a national concern, allowing countries to pursue individual gaming policies and determine the content of their own regulations. Many countries in Europe have chosen a restrictive approach to gaming in their legislation, with substantial emphasis being placed on a moderate and sufficiently controlled gaming market. In Norway and our neighbouring Nordic countries we have a tradition of stringent gaming legislation, including restrictions with regard to availability and functionality.

The development of the international gaming market over the last decade presents new challenges to the respective domestic gaming markets in Europe. The technological development and the use of the Internet have changed the possibilities for distribution of gaming and lotteries. Private commercial interests are present to a larger extent than before, and the games have become more advanced and aggressive as a result of the technological advances. Experience over the last years has shown that gaming offers have not necessarily evolved in accordance with the respective national authorities requirements and traditions with regard to gaming. The result of this is not yet clear, but one has registered a growth in the number of problem gamblers. Problem gambling is dramatic for those affected, both player and next of kin. As responsible authorities we have to address these problems.

The European Court of Justice has in several rulings stated that gaming and lotteries are to be regarded as services as mentioned in EU-law. However individual member states may establish national restrictions for gaming and lotteries, with the aim of protecting consumers and society from the negative social aspects of gaming such as problem gaming and crime, as long as the restrictions are not discriminatory or disproportional.

As a breach of this tradition, the European Commission, on the 13 ^th> January this year, presented a proposal for a directive on services in the internal market, including regulation of gaming and gambling services. Such a regulation would represent a step away from the current state of Community law, based on the jurisprudence of the EU Court.

Upon addressing these international regulatory challenges, it is vital that we stand by our traditional ideals with regard to a moderate and justifiable gaming market in order to prevent negative social consequences. It is my hope that we may establish an international understanding allowing for the possibility to control and limit gaming offered by new technologies, thus not undermining national regulations and enforcement. This is necessary in order to meet the powerful commercial interests present in the new gaming market.

Exchange of information and co-operation between regulators is therefore important to prevent that we loose sight of the basic foundation of the national regulations, namely to secure a moderate development of the gaming marked and the prevention of negative social effects such as problem gambling and crime.

Before I conclude – Let me express my hope that you will all have the opportunity to see Oslo during your visit.

But most important is of course the content of this GREF-meeting. It is my conviction that it will contribute to a development in the right direction. It is an honour for me to declare the GREF annual meeting 2004 for open.

Thank you for your attention.