European Court of Justice advisers at odds over gambling

[The Buzz]

The European Court of Justice is currently hearing cases that deal with gambling restrictions in the EU. And not everyone seems to be on the same page.

According to the Wall Street Journal, two of the court's advisers offered differing opinions on how online gambling should be restricted.

In legal opinions prepared for the European Court of Justice, Advocate General Jan Mazak recommended that an Austrian law which restricts casino licenses to companies set up in Austria be found incompatible with EU laws that ensure companies can provide goods and services freely across the bloc's borders.

Fellow Advocate General Yves Bot, however, who dealt with a Swedish lottery law restricting gambling licenses to a Swedish non-profit association which uses the funds raised for socially beneficial purposes in Sweden, recommended in his opinion for the court that this be found in keeping with EU laws.

The two cases are among a slew before the court involving Internet-based gambling firms which hotly dispute operating bans imposed by numerous European governments.

[Anthony]

One ruling doesn't change the entire market place, there are just too many players and points of view.

The EU, EU Court of Justice, WTO and the individual countries all have a different take.

So is the bottom line, everyone approaches online gambling as they see fit?

That is how it is now, sounds like they are all working in circles and getting nowhere.

I am not that familiar with the EU charter, it appears to give outs to the members so even if the EU says something the individual member nations can still protect their market, cant they?

I am just trying to see the end game here and it just keeps shifting back and forth.

[Kenpachi]

Is online gambling regulated in Austria? Is it legal to advertise online casinos?