Bookies Win Case in EU Court

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the Scotsman: "In a boost for gamblers, the EU's high court ruled today that Italy cannot ban foreign bookies as a threat to public order while the government itself is raising money by promoting state-run games of chance.

"The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg sent the case back to the national court to decide whether the Italian government's monopoly on betting `actually serves the aim of consumer protection.'

"The British company involved, Stanley Leisure, hailed the ruling as trailblazing, adding it `could have far-reaching consequences for betting in the European Union,' which it says is relatively underdeveloped.

"…The case involved 138 Italian agents who were linked by Internet and collected sporting bets on behalf of Stanley Leisure's overseas betting operation, Stanleybet International…"