Malta Must Fix Gambling Law To Avoid EU Action, Says PN MEP

MEP Peter Agius has urged the Maltese government to revise Bill 55 without delay, after the European Commission issued a formal letter of notice concerning the legislation. The law, introduced to protect Malta-based gambling companies from foreign court rulings — particularly from Austria and Germany — is being scrutinised for potentially breaching EU law.

The Commission’s letter marks the initial stage of infringement proceedings and could lead to action before the European Court of Justice should Malta fail to respond appropriately.

Agius welcomed the Commission’s move but emphasised the need for swift action to ensure the law complies with EU principles. In a tweet, he also called on the European Commission to address a wider concern: third-party litigation funding practices, which he said are driving collective legal actions against gambling operators based in Malta.

He described the situation as a “collapse of the internal market” and warned against fragmented regulation of the online gambling sector.

“The freedom of movement must prevail,” Agius concluded, noting that legal uncertainty threatens to undermine Malta’s standing within the EU single market.

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