Last week, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) critized Hungary‘s slot machine law for running contrary to the European Commission’s principles on the freedom to provide services.
In 2012, Hungary prohibited the operation of slot machines in amusement arcades, allowing them only in regulated casinos.
While the CJEU acknowledged that Hungary’s stated objectives of consumer protection and prevention of crime would, in principle, justify restrictions against gambling, the Court also noted that – in apparent contradiction to these objectives – the Hungarian government is simultaneously pursuing a policy of “controlled expansion” of gambling activities.
According to Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA), the Court’s decision adds to EU jurisprudence on gambling law:
“The ruling of the CJEU is a timely reminder to Hungary and other Member States that national gambling legislation needs to respect the requirements of EU law. In particular, legislation must actually and primarily address the pursued objectives. Restrictions can only be justified if they serve to combat actual problems in the Member States, for example with regard to gambling-related crime or gambling addiction.”
It will now be up to a local court in Hungary to provide the material ruling in the case, taking into account the CJEU’s conclusions.
