Malta’s Bill 55 Faces EU Incompatibility Ruling
- AG Emiliou found Malta’s Bill 55 incompatible with the EU’s Brussels I bis Regulation on April 23.
- Malta’s iGaming sector accounts for 10.1% of the national economy, generating €1.386 billion according to MGA’s report.
- Maltese gaming licenses are valid only in Malta under current EU law, as stated by Emiliou.
- Bill 55 instructs courts to refuse foreign judgments against Maltese-licensed operators if services were lawful under Maltese law.
- EU member states are not obligated to recognize gambling licenses from other states, affecting cross-border operations.
The recent opinion by AG Emiliou challenges Malta’s approach to gaming regulation, specifically targeting Article 56A of its Gaming Act introduced via Bill 55. This provision is deemed incompatible with EU rules on judgment recognition and enforcement, posing significant implications for Malta’s iGaming industry.
With the iGaming sector contributing significantly to Malta’s economy, this ruling could impact its legal defense strategy in maintaining cross-border gaming operations within the EU framework. (Source)
