WRITTEN QUESTION E-0627/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Money laundering ‐ casinos.
Date: 2001-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, financial legislation, gaming establishment, money laundering

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/89

The Commission monitors progress on the Action Plan (2) via the Financial Services Policy Group. The
Group is comprised of personal representatives of finance ministers and chaired by the member of the
Commission responsible for the internal market. Since the Lisbon Council, the meeting frequency has been
stepped up from three to four meetings per year. The Group reports twice a year on progress to Ecofin.
The latest report, presented to Ecofin on 27 November 2000, stated that progress is satisfactory, but with
important qualifications. In the report, the Commission sets out a (cid:145)critical path(cid:146) for the Action Plan priority
measures with a view to meeting the 2005 deadline. The next progress report will be presented to Ecofin
on 5 June 2001.

Furthermore, the Commission has initiated enhanced co-operation between the Parliament, the Council
and the Commission within the (cid:145)2005 Group(cid:146). This is an informal working group aimed at speeding up
the implementation of the Action Plan by aligning the agendas of the three institutions and identifying
strategic problems at an early stage.

As provided for in the Financial Services Action Plan and required by the Lisbon European Council, the
Commission will adopt a proposal for a directive introducing the single passport for issuers. In the latest
progress report to Ecofin on 27 November 2000, this measure was identified as a key priority in the
Action Plan. The importance of this measure has been confirmed in the final Lamfalussy report of
15 February 2001. A draft directive has now been prepared and sent for inter-service consultation.

(1) COM(2000) 594 final.
(2) COM(1999) 232 final.

(2001/C 318 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0627/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: Money laundering (cid:129) casinos

In drawing up its Directives to amend Council Directive 91/308/EEC (1) on money laundering (cid:129) casinos,
what consultations did the Commission enter into with representatives of casinos in the EU?

(1) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991, p. 77.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2001)

The Commission(cid:146)s proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive amending Council Directive 91/308/
EEC of 10 June 1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money
laundering (1) envisaged the extension of the anti-money laundering obligations to a number of non-
financial professions and activities, namely external accountants and auditors, real estate agents, notaries
and lawyers, certain dealers in high-value items, transporters of funds and casinos.

This extension was a response to the wishes expressed by the Member States and the Parliament for urgent
action to reinforce the Community anti-money laundering defences.

Given the priority attached to this new initiative, the Commission did not issue any green paper or other
consultative document prior to launching its proposal. However, following the publication of its proposal,
the Commission received and held discussions with representatives of any of
the above-mentioned
professions and activities that sought a meeting.

As far as the casino sector is concerned, the Commission has in recent months been in contact with the
European Casino Forum, representatives of casinos from one Member State and trade union officials
representing casino workers.

(1) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000.