This story is part of an investigation led by Investigate Europe, a journalism team which produces cross-border investigations. The project is being published with media partners in 10 countries, including Amphora Media (Malta), ARD (Germany), Delfi (Estonia) Die Zeit (Germany), EU Observer (Belgium), Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy), InfoLibre (Spain), Irpi Media (Italy), the Observer (UK), Partizan (Hungary), Reporters United (Greece) and RTP (Portugal).
The world’s biggest gambling companies are using a little-known Maltese law, that nullifies court verdicts elsewhere in the European Union, to protect themselves from potentially having to pay out millions in legal claims.
Under a law known as Bill 55, Maltese courts can “refuse recognition and, or enforcement” of any foreign judgment involving companies registered on the island — namely, the scores of betting companies based there thanks to an already favourable corporate climate.
The law effectively shields owners of brands such as Pokerstars, Betsson and Unibet from judgements handed down abroad, of which there are an increasing number. Lawyers told Investigate Europe that Bill 55, described by one as a “sledgehammer”, violates EU law and is preventing thousands of successful claims issued in European courts from being paid out.
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