For the first time ever, two Maltese MEPs from rival political parties, have joined forces to defend the interests of the local remote gaming industry which is currently under attack from many sides.
Following a meeting a few days ago between Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil and Labour MEP Louis Grech and the Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC), which represents the remote gaming industry in Malta, the two MEPs decided to support the industry in its complaints on restrictions to free movement of services.
The first form of support took part this week when both MEPs jointly presented official parliamentary questions to the European Commission asking it to intervene on this issue.
This is the first time that PQs were submitted jointly by Maltese MEPs from different political groups. In their questions, both MEPs asked the Commission to state whether it's aware that, by virtue of the Italian 2006 Finance Act, the Italian authorities are requiring all Italian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to all gambling Websites not authorised by the Italian authorities.
The two MEPs noted that as a result of this law, sites operated by companies established in the European Union, such as Malta, are consequently being denied their right to free movement of services. Dr Busuttil and Mr Grech asked the Commission to state how it intends to remedy this breach of EU law.
Both MEPs also pressured the Commission to state how it intends to pursue the established ECJ (European Court of Justice) jurisprudence to ensure that remote gambling and betting companies in the EU benefit from their right to free movement of services within the internal market.
Currently the local remote gaming industry is facing rough times as many EU member states are trying to enact laws intended to protect their own industries.
Italy is a case in point, where through a new law, widely regarded as a thinly disguised attempt to protect the Italian gaming monopoly, the Italian Ministry of Finance can order Internet service providers (ISPs) in Italy to block Internet gaming sites that do not have a concession to provide their services by the Italian gaming monopoly, the Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS). Many Maltese companies were affected by this law.
Last month, the European Commission decided to send official requests for information on national legislation restricting the supply of sport betting services to Denmark. Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.
This decision follows a number of complaints by operators supplying sport betting services, who feel that restrictive measures adopted by these member states are not compatible with Article 49 of the EC treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services.
The ECJ has repeatedly stated that any restriction which seeks to protect general interest objectives, such as the protection of consumers, must be consistent and systematic in how they seek to limit betting activities.