The Remote Gambling Association is welcoming the European Commission's decision to go ahead with investigations against Greece and Netherlands in regards to gambling.

Greece and its gambling monopoly OPAP is embroiled in a feud with Stanleybet International regarding whether the latter can open betshops in the area and the Netherlands has always said that its state lottery, De Lotto, has sole right to provide online gambling.

"Both of these EU Member States will now be investigated by the European Commission to determine whether their national gambling laws are in contravention of the European Treaty," said the RGA in a release.

"In particular, the Commission will need to be assured that restrictions which are being placed on the freedom of gambling operators in other EU states to provide their services in the Netherlands and Greece are justifiable under EU law and are not there primarily to defend the position of domestic gambling companies or state operators."

"In the face of sometimes very strong opposition, it does the Commission great credit that it continues to fulfill its role as guardian of the Treaty in such a robust and objective way," explained RGA CEO Clive Hawkswood.

"Coming on the heels of its decision in January to take similar action against Germany and Sweden, this should send a strong signal across Europe that protectionism in the gambling sector will not be tolerated."

"The Dutch government has even tried to carve out an online gambling monopoly for Holland Casino, but this Opinion should serve notice that such actions are not acceptable."