Remote gambling : the EU legal framework

The EU legal framework for gambling has gone over the last couple of years through important developments, especially since the Gambelli decision two years ago limited the possibility of MS to invoke restrictions to gaming service provision. Diverging national case-law shows that the EU is in bad need of regulation in the field of gambling. It is likely that there will be a sector specific act based on the Swiss Institute’s study and that gambling will not be covered by the Services directive. In the meantime, distortions are likely to increase as Great-Britain and Malta adopt a more liberal approach towards online gambling. Pressure is also growing on the Commission to take action.