UPDATE 1-FACTBOX-EU takes wave of legal action against states

(Adds end of case against Italy over gas terminal plan) April 3 (Reuters) - The European Commission started an array of legal actions against European Union countries on Thursday which include asking Italy to comply with an EU court ruling on the award of concessions for horse-race betting services.

The Commission wants to make the bloc's economy more efficient and the measures were partly aimed at barriers to competition.

Below are some of the steps taken and an explanation of the process:

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?

The Commission -- executive arm of the European Union -- starts an infringement procedure by sending a "letter of formal notice" to an EU state, requesting information on a disputed issue.

If the Commission is not satisfied with the response, it can send a "reasoned opinion", or a final warning, setting out why it thinks there has been a breach of EU law.

Unless the member state complies with the reasoned opinion by a deadline, typically two months, the Commission may bring the case before the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the top court in the EU. It can take two years to bring a case.

WHO FACES LEGAL ACTION?

INTERNAL MARKET The European Commission has decided to send "reasoned opinions" to Italy regarding lawyers' fees, to Slovakia regarding disclosure of privatisation agreements, and to Britain regarding implementation of a directive on motor insurance.