Ep 537: EU vs. Malta: Will Bill 55 Trigger a European Court Clash?

On this episode of iGaming Daily, the discussion begins in Malta with the highly debated Bill 55 — a legislative move designed to shield Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)-licensed operators from foreign claims, reinforcing the island's position as Europe’s premier iGaming hub. However, this law has sparked legal scrutiny across the EU, with opponents arguing it contradicts European Single Market rules and raises significant competition law concerns under Article 56 of the EU Treaty.

Host Charlie Horner is joined by iGaming Experts Editor Joe Streeter and SBC’s Media Director Martyn Elliott, reporting live from SBC Summit Malta. Together, they delve into why Bill 55 could face escalation to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) following Austrian legal challenges — and what this means for operators contributing over 11% to Malta’s GDP. Shifting focus to the UK market, the trio unpacks the implications of proposed gambling tax hikes, including potential increases to 21% or even 41% as suggested by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In this episode, discover why experts warn that aggressive tax changes could unintentionally fuel black market gambling, erode KYC safeguards, and put players at risk. While some regulators dismiss these fears as overstated, industry insiders argue the risk of unlicensed, poorly regulated operations is real.

Host: Charlie Horner
Guests: Martyn Elliott & Joe Streeter
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com.

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