European Commission assessing controversial Maltese Bill 55
European Commissioner for Justice confirms body is aware of unilateral move and has requested further information from island
The European Commission is assessing the compatibility of Malta’s controversial Bill 55 with existing European Union (EU) law.
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders revealed the body was aware of the legislation and was looking into how it would align with current regulation.
Bill 55, which was approved by Malta’s president George Vella in June, will effectively allow Maltese courts to refuse the enforcement of any foreign decision/claim in relation to gambling.
The bill will also prevent legal action being brought against a licensee, officer or relevant person, should the supposed breach be legal under Maltese regulations.
Reynders was responding to written questions put forward by German MEP Sabine Verheyen at the end of May.
Verheyen asked if the Commission was aware of Bill 55 and what measures it planned to take to oppose its legality, should it be found to be non-compliant.
Verheyen also asked whether sanctions would be conceivable in the event that Malta had failed to comply with EU law, and that if the Maltese government or individual members of that government had or has maintained links with the Maltese gambling industry.
In his reply, Reynders said: “The Commission is aware of the draft Maltese Bill No 55/2023 amending the ‘Gaming Act, Cap. 583’. The Commission is in the process of assessing the compatibility of the draft Bill with EU law and requested the Maltese authorities to provide further information.
“The Commission will decide on the appropriate follow-up steps after having received and analysed this information.
“The Commission does not have any information about possible links of individual members of the Maltese government with the Maltese gambling industry.”
EGR explored the developing situation in Malta as part of EGR 230.