The European Commission may take legal action against its member countries including Germany, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Holland and Hungary for limiting their residents use in online gambling operations.

Europes internal market commissioner, Charlie McCreevy plans to take legal action against those governments for banning online gambling services while allowing residents to play state lottery or for limiting advertising of gambling facilities. The countries could be penalized with large fines

Governments have come to rely on revenue from state lottery to fund public services. At the same time, they are trying to fight other forms of gambling claiming it has a negative influence on society. The commission claims the state lotteries are considered as a monopoly on gambling.