The green light on a new law regulating gambling and lotteries in Greece has been postponed due to objections raised by Malta.
According to a government spokesperson, Malta "has made its position clear with the European Commission: certain aspects of the draft Greek law are unacceptable as they do not respect fundamental principles of EU legislation."
An EU official said Malta was the only member state to object so far, but the Commission had also "sounded the alarm with the Greek authorities."
Commenting on the news, Ivan Camilleri of Camilmac Services in Malta told InterGame: "I believe that Europe has members who still feel that some aspects of the freedom afforded by being a member should still be under their control. While I respect this view, the general feeling is that it goes completely against the ultimate European dream.
"Over the past years, Malta has been vigilant to make sure the EU’s gambling market remains as open as possible after many of the biggest players in the multi-million euro industry set up shop here, enhancing the value added services that the island has come to provide so successfully, it has become an important part of Malta’s economy. I am hoping that Europe will uphold this line of thought."
Greece has until August 8 to come up with its reply. Among the main issues found to be objectionable by the Commission are provisions in the draft law under which companies wanting to offer their services in Greece would be obliged to have a physical office in that country together with a financial guarantee from a Greek bank. The draft law also includes limitations on the number of licences to be given and specifies minimum capital requirements.
