Statement of the GGL on Bill No. 55 / Malta

HALLE, Germany (August 23, 2023) — Due to numerous inquiries to the GGL regarding the assessment of the Maltese government’s amendment to the law to protect domestic gaming companies (Bill No. 55), the GGL publishes the following statement:

The GGL has the developments around the topic “Bill No. 55” from Malta in view. We are of the opinion that this law should not be compatible with European requirements for the recognition of decisions (Regulation (EU) 1215/2002).

However, the final assessment of this question is not the responsibility of the GGL. We have informed the federal states of our assessment and are also otherwise in contact with the relevant authorities.

We currently do not see any reason to take action beyond this, as the Federal Ministry of Justice has already approached the European Commission on this matter. We therefore assume that proceedings will be initiated accordingly.

The protective shield intended by Malta relates exclusively to civil claims by players, for the enforcement of which the GGL is not responsible.

To what extent a gambling operator’s reliance on “Bill No. 55” in civil law cases can also affect reliability under gaming law remains a question of the respective individual case.

 About Bill No. 55

The new law provides that only Maltese courts can enforce judgments against Maltese gambling companies. The law may be in response to the sharp rise in the number of successful gambling loss repayment claims against Maltese gambling companies by players claiming illegal losses as the gambling offered was not legal in their home country.

SOURCE: Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) – (The German Federal States’ Joint Gambling Authority).