The European Commission is asking the Maltese government for more information on its proposed changes to the Gambling Act aimed at shielding Malta-based iGaming companies from litigation in other Member States.
Answering a European Parliamentary Question from German EPP MEP Sabine Verheyen, the Commission said it was aware of Malta’s draft legislation and that it “is in the process of assessing the compatibility of the draft Bill with EU law and requested the Maltese authorities to provide further information”.
Once it receives and analyses its feedback from the government, the Commission will then “decide on the appropriate follow-up steps” to be taken.
The Commission was also asked if it intends to oppose the new Maltese legislation, which would leave relevant judgments from other Member States unrecognised or unenforced in Malta, but it did not answer.
Curiously, the MEP asked, “Does the Commission know whether the Maltese Government or individual members of that Government have maintained links with the Maltese gambling industry in the past or whether they do so at present and, if so, does it know the nature of these links, and have there been any instances of corruption in the past?”
The Commission answered that it, “…does not have any information about possible links of individual members of the Maltese Government with the Maltese gambling industry.”
The Malta Gaming Authority issued 75% fewer new gaming licenses in 2022 when compared to its peak year of 2018, figures show.
Read more at https://theshiftnews.com/2023/07/24/brussels-wants-more-information-on-maltas-new-gambling-act-before-acting/
